In spite of these scientific reports, Chris Shuey continued to promote the “Puerco River Education” project as late as 1986. “The Gallup Independent” lent a hand in promoting this panic, and headlined a story, “Drink no Puerco water.” In a May 8th (1986) article, originating (conveniently) from Albuquerque, where Chris Shuey resides, the reporter wrote, “What little water there is in the Rio Puerco these days should not be consumed by man nor animal, according to the Southwest Research and Information Center of Albuquerque.”

Perhaps to strengthen his expertise as a health authority, Mr. Shuey pursued a Masters degree in Public Health at the University of New Mexico, across the street from SRIC’s headquarters. In his thesis, Shuey authored an integral review of the literature for “Biomarkers of Kidney Injury – Challenges for Uranium Exposure Studies” (submitted on April 29, 2002). After presenting this paper, Shuey emerged with the unique assertion that uranium leads to kidney cancers.

On its website, the American Cancer Society lists smoking, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle as the primary risk factors which increase one’s chances in getting kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma). Occupation exposure to certain chemicals can also increase risk. Scientific studies found they could include: asbestos, cadmium (a type of metal), some herbicides, benzene, and organic solvents, particularly trichloroethylene. There is no mention by the American Cancer Society of uranium exposure leading to kidney cancer. Cadmium is another story, however.

The problem with first reaching a conclusion and then researching the facts to confirm your preconceived notion negates the scientific process. For example, Shuey dances around the issue of cadmium throughout his report, but fails to correlate household trash burning with the dangers of dioxins and cadmium when it comes to kidney-related problems and possible cancers. It appears Shuey may have failed to include the largest single source of toxic air emissions, which occurred in New Mexico prior to June 1, 2004, as a potential cause of renal toxicity: trash burning. At this time, New Mexico remains one of the few states, which has failed to ban the burning of electronic equipment. Such trash burning reportedly releases high concentrations of cadmium into the air. Could it be that something as obvious as cadmium concentrations might be the risk factor leading to kidney cancer instead of the purported uranium?