[ RadSafe ] Re: uranium birth defect causation details

[James Salsman]

Jaro Franta wrote:

> As if a few tons of DU bullets spread over thousands of square
> kilometers could possibly make the tiniest measurable difference
> on "Iraqi groundwater"....

If it weren't for the fact that the contamination is concentrated
near the populated areas, then that could be a valid argument.

Excerpts follow from:
   http://newstandardnews.net/content/?action=show_item&itemid=481

Water from the Tigris River -- consumed by Iraqis in Baghdad every day 
-- is contaminated with war waste, and much of it goes untreated despite 
obligations of a US company to reconstruct vital facilities....

Tigris River water is a concentrated cocktail of pesticides, 
fertilizers, oil, gasoline and heavy metals, reports Dr. Husni Mohammed, 
an Iraqi who holds a PhD in Environmental and Biological Science and has 
researched the condition of the Tigris. Raw sewage mixes with particles 
from antiquated piping and US-fired depleted uranium munitions, he says, 
plus remnants from untold amounts of other chemicals released by 
American and Iraqi weaponry used since the 1991 Gulf War....

The health effects of benzene -- an ingredient found in gasoline and jet 
fuel -- are well known and severe. Short-term exposure can cause 
significant damage to the nervous system and dramatic suppression of the 
immune system. Consistent consumption of benzene-tainted water can cause 
long-term effects including cancer (particularly Leukemia), birth 
defects and damage to the reproductive system.

Heavy metals in drinking water are also known to damage the liver, brain 
and other vital organs....

During a boat tour of the Tigris' banks taken to inspect treatment 
facilities, NADEC founder Shwaqi Kareem pointed to a massive outpouring 
of brownish gray wastewater flowing right into the river. The source of 
this vile discharge? "The Kerkh Wastewater Treatment Plant," said Kareem.

---- end of excerpts ----

Sincerely,
James Salsman