- Depleted uranium munitions are used during combat because
they are extremely effective. However, in winning these battles through
use of uranium munitions United States Department of Defense personnel
have contaminated air, water, and soil. Consequently, children, women,
and men have inhaled, ingested, or got wounds contaminated with uranium.
Uranium is a heavy metal and radioactive poison.
-
- The toxicity is not debatable as the Director of the
U.S. Army Environmental Policy Institute stated in a congressionally mandated
report that "No available technology can significantly change the
inherent chemical and radiological toxicity of DU. These are intrinsic
properties of uranium " (Health and Environmental Consequences of
Depleted Uranium Use in the U.S. Army: Technical Report, AEPI, June 1995).
The primary U.S. Army training manual: STP 21-1-SMCT: Soldiers Manual of
Common Tasks states "NOTE: (Depleted uranium) Contamination will make
food and water unsafe for consumption." [Task number: 031-503-1017
"RESPOND TO DEPLETED URANIUM/LOW LEVEL RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS (DULLRAM)
HAZARDS"].
-
- Although, existing U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) directives
require that prompt and effective medical care be provided to all exposed
individuals (Medical Management of Unusual Depleted Uranium Casualties,
DOD, 10/14/93) and the thorough clean up of dispersed radioactive contamination
(AR 700-48: "Management of Equipment Contaminated With Depleted Uranium
or Radioactive Commodities"); United States, British, and Australian
officials refuse to comply with these directives.
-
- The U.S. Army Surgeon General, Lt. General James B. Peake
issued a memorandum dated April 29, 2004 (available at www.traprockpeace.org)
that depleted uranium bioassays will be administered to all individuals
with Level 1 and Level 2 exposures and that bioassays would be provided
upon request for all Level 3 exposures.
-
- Level 1 is defined as: "Personnel who were in, on,
or near combat vehicles at the time they were struck by depleted uranium
rounds (to include wounded), or who entered immediately after to attempt
rescue."
-
- Level 2 is defined as: "Personnel who rountinely
entered depletd uranium damaged vehicles as part of their military occupation
or who fought fires involving depletd uranium munitions."
-
- Level 3 is defined as: "Personnel involved in al
other exposures incidental in nature, e.g. driving by a vehicle struck
by deplted uranium". (SECDEF 3/30/03: Policy for the Operation Iraqi
Freedom Depleted Uranium (DU) Medical Management: http://www.deploymentlink.osd.mil/du_library/pdfs/policy_oif_053003.pdf
)
-
- However this directive still ignores exposures incurred
while within, near, or after entering any DU destroyed structure or on
contaminated terrain.
-
- I must also ask if the same medical test will be provided
to all U.S. coalition military personnel and to all Iraqi military and
civilians who were exposed? Will medical care also be provided to all individuals
who have been exposed and denied a radiobioasay and relevant medical care
all exposed individuals where ever depleted uranium (uranium) munitions
were manufactured, tested, and/or used in combat?
-
- It is essential that the use of depleted uranium munitions
cease immediately to prevent further exposures."
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