[CPEO-MEF] Depleted Uranium Contaminates Bosnia-Herzegovina

[CPEO Moderator <cpeo@cpeo.org>]

ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE
March 25, 2003
Depleted Uranium Contaminates Bosnia-Herzegovina

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina, March 25, 2003 (ENS) - For the first time,
a United Nations research team has confirmed that depleted uranium from
weapons used in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1994 and 1995 has contaminated
local supplies of drinking water, and can still be found in dust
particles suspended in the air. Depleted uranium is used in armour
penetrating military ordinance because of its high density, and also in
the manufacture of defensive armor plate.

A new report released here today by the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) records the first instance of depleted uranium (DU)
contamination of groundwater, which was found at one site.

“The findings of this study stress again the importance of appropriate
cleanup and civil protection measures in a post-conflict situation,"
said Pekka Haavisto, chairman of the UNEP DU projects. "We hope that
this work will play a role in protecting human health and the
environment in the unfortunate event of future conflicts."

This article can be viewed at:
http://ens-news.com/ens/mar2003/2003-03-25-04.asp

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