Irresponsible weapons - Depleted uranium arms very harmful

[Susan Gawarecki <loc@ICX.NET>]

This from http://www.michigandaily.com/articles.php?uniqid=20010405e02



This would be a good opportunity for a degreed rad expert to set the

record straight with a letter to the editor:



Irresponsible weapons - Depleted uranium arms very harmful 

(unsigned editorial)



War is hell, and in this particular hell the goal is to kill the enemy.

However in modern warfare every effort should be taken to minimize

“collateral damage.” A specific case of this is before the United States

military establishment right now. 



Since the Gulf War the U.S. military has employed depleted Uranium

munitions. At first glance these appear to be “superior” armaments.

Cheap and effective, their density and self-sharpening properties make

them appear to be the “perfect” weapon. However depleted uranium strikes

the enemy not once, but twice. Uranium, like most heavy metals, is

terribly toxic. The military’s zealous overkills in Iraq, the Balkans,

and even Puerto Rico have been littered with highly toxic depleted

uranium. An informational presentation will be taking place today in

room 1040 of the Dana Building at 7:30 p.m.  While many of the alleged

dangers of depleted uranium remain in contention, education is always

helpful. 



While the radiological dangers of depleted uranium are less than natural

uranium they still remain a concern, and may possibly be linked to Gulf

War Syndrome. Depleted uranium remains as toxic as mercury, yet the U.S.

military has relentlessly shelled the hills of Kosovo and the

countryside of Iraq with this substance. As much as a two-thirds

increase in the cancer rate among Iraqis may be due to the use of

depleted uranium in the Gulf War. Even if, as the Defense Department

claims, depleted uranium offers insignificant radiological threat its

chemical toxicity remains. 



While uranium evokes fears of radiation depleted uranium is more

dangerous in terms of chemical toxicity. The potential nuclear threat of

depleted uranium is dwarfed by the chemical threat. But a chemical

analysis of depleted uranium turns up a shocking reality. If depleted

uranium were administered to an individual with a teaspoon, its chemical

toxicity would kill more people than it could as a low grade nuclear

bomb. 



The dangers inherent to depleted uranium: Kidney damage, liver failure,

etc. are significant enough to civilian populations that this hazardous

material should be restricted if not outright banned. As the U.S. enjoys

a military superiority of immense magnitude these munitions are not

necessary and serve only as cost effective tank killers. The toll they

take in human life clearly warrants both more research into the

long-term effects of depleted uranium exposure and a moratorium on their

use and manufacture. Rather than risk the lives of civilian children,

military service personal and unknown environmental problems the Defense

Department should take responsibility and take measures to avoid the

“collateral damage” inherent to depleted uranium. 

-- 

.....................................................

Susan L. Gawarecki, Ph.D., Executive Director

Oak Ridge Reservation Local Oversight Committee

                       -----                       

A schedule of meetings on DOE issues is posted on our Web site

http://www.local-oversight.org/meetings.html - E-mail loc@icx.net

.....................................................

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