SciAm: Toxic Spill in the Navajo Nation.
Within a year of the spill, Chief herself explored the unique ways that the Diné could be exposed to contaminants in the river, by surveying the communities. She found that her people use the river in more than 400 ways, including cultural, medicinal and spiritual practices, such as putting river clay on their face for prayers and collecting and crafting reeds for baskets. This survey illustrated the potential exposure pathways for Navajo community members not captured in the recreational risk assessment.
Ill-applied science can wield some hideous blinders sometimes. Question is, is it intentional?