Uranium Ghost Town

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Once upon a time, Uravan, Colorado, was home to 800 people who lived on tree-lined streets. The town was owned by the U. S. Vanadium Corporation and then by a subsidiary of Dow Chemical,  which mined vanadium and uranium. Unfortunately, exposure to radiation from the mining, hauling and processing of uranium ore led to to a variety of diseases, particularly lung, kidney and other cancers.The area was evacuated and cleanup began in 1986. Many local residents hope that after the cleanup is completed, mining will recommence. (photo: Elijah Wallechinsky)