Depleted Uranium in the BalkansUNEP Press Release 13 March 2001 (excerpts from http://balkans.unep.ch/press/press010313.html 13 March 2001)
Low levels of radiation were
detected in the immediate vicinity of the points of impact, and mild contamination from DU dust was
measured near the targets. There was also some evidence from bio-indicators of airborne DU
contamination near targeted sites.
No widespread contamination
No widespread ground contamination was found in the investigated areas. Therefore, the
corresponding radiological and chemical risks are insignificant. There were a great number of
contamination points in the investigated areas, but there is no significant risk related to these
points in terms of possible contamination of air or plants.
Precaution recommended
It is highly likely that penetrators are still lying on the ground surface. Although the radiological and
chemical risks of touching a penetrator are insignificant, if one was put into a pocket or somewhere
else close to the human body, there would be external beta radiation of the skin, leading to quite
high local radiation doses after some weeks of continuous exposure. Skin burns from radiation are
unlikely.
Regarding contamination points, if a child were to ingest small amounts of soil, the corresponding
radiological risk would be insignificant, but from a biochemical point of view, the possible intake
might be somewhat higher than the applicable health standard.
"There are still considerable scientific uncertainties, especially related to the safety of
groundwater," said Pekka Haavisto, Chairman of UNEP's Depleted Uranium Assessment Team.
"Additional work has to be done to reduce these uncertainties and to monitor the quality of water."
Remaining penetrators and jackets that may be hidden at several metres depth in the ground, as
well as any on the ground surface, constitute a risk of future DU contamination of groundwater and
drinking water. Heavy firing of DU in one area could increase the potential source of uranium
contamination of groundwater by a factor of 10 to 100. While the radiation doses will be very low,
the resulting uranium concentration might exceed WHO health standards for drinking water.
Although the mission findings show no cause for alarm, the report describes specific situations
where risks could be significant. There are also scientific uncertainties relating to the longer-term
behavior of DU in the environment. For these reasons, UNEP calls for certain precautionary
actions.
According to UNEP, this precautionary action should include visiting all DU sites in Kosovo,
removing slightly radioactive penetrators and jackets on the surface, decontaminating areas where
feasible, and providing information to local populations on precautions to be taken if DU is found.
Depleted Uranium UNEP Report excerpts
Depleted Uranium in Kosovo
Post-Conflict Environmental Assessment
UNEP Scientific Mission to Kosovo
5 - 19 November 2000
Foreword
This report presents the findings of the first-ever international assessment of the
environmental impact of depleted uranium (DU) when used in a real conflict situation. It
has been carried out as part of the post-conflict assessments conducted by the United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in the Balkans.
The report builds on an earlier theoretical study by UNEP. In October 1999, as part of its
assessment of the Kosovo conflict’s impact on the environment and human settlements,
UNEP carried out a Desk Assessment study of the potential effects of the possible use of
DU during the conflict. The study was limited by the lack of information on the actual use
of DU. In July 2000, however, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) provided
UNEP with the information required, enabling a field mission to be planned and
conducted. The information included a map indicating the location of 112 separate strikes
by DU ammunition, and a table showing the number of DU rounds used and the
coordinates of the targeted areas.
During the field mission to Kosovo, from 5 - 19 November 2000, soil, water and other
samples were collected from eleven sites where DU had reportedly been used during the
conflict. Five separate laboratories then analysed the samples.
When the laboratory phase was finalised in early March, the analyses of the samples
collected showed only low levels of radioactivity. Furthermore, the results suggested that
there is no immediate cause for concern regarding toxicity. However, major scientific
uncertainties persist over the long-term environmental impacts of DU, especially regarding
groundwater.
Due to these scientific uncertainties, UNEP calls for precaution. There is a very clear need
for action to be undertaken on the clean-up and decontamination of the polluted sites, for
awareness-raising aimed at the local population, and for future monitoring.
Just as the Desk Assessment conducted in October 1999 advised precaution, the
recommendations of this report have also been guided by this approach, with the objective
of protecting the environment and human health.
This difficult task was conducted effectively and efficiently thanks to the close cooperation
of several key partners, to whom I am very grateful. NATO provided information and
excellent cooperation. The NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR) assured the basic safety and
security of mission staff, and provided other important logistical support. The United
Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) contributed expertise to the
team and assisted with field logistics. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
has been our partner in the initial desk assessment and the field mission, and has assisted
with the laboratory analysis. The WHO is conducting a parallel desk assessment on the
health impacts, and the two reports together should provide comprehensive information on
the issues surronding DU. Several governments, including those of Finland, Italy and the
USA, have provided in-kind contributions, and I am especially grateful to the Government
of Switzerland, which has provided generous financial support for this assessment.
Above all, my gratitude goes to the team of dedicated experts that conducted this historic
mission, under the able and professional leadership of Pekka Haavisto. The team undertook demanding scientific field investigations at short notice to be sure of completing
the work before the onset of winter in Kosovo. The laboratory work was conducted at an
astonishing pace so that results could be made available in record time to a public
concerned about the potential risks of DU.
Throughout the exercise, special efforts have been made to ensure the objectivity and
scientific credibility of the analysis, by drawing on an international team of experts and by
using a range of different laboratories for the sample analysis. It is hoped that the data we
have collected in the field will advance further analysis of this topic in related fields, such
as the impacts of DU on human health.
UNEP now recommends, following its precautionary approach and to reduce uncertainties
about the environmental impacts of DU in the longer term, that ways and means be
explored for undertaking similar missions in other Balkan regions where DU was used in
earlier conflicts.
Klaus Töpfer
United Nations Under-Secretary General
Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme
from the Chapter "6. Recommendations" of the UNEP report:
9. Further scientific work should be carried out to reduce the scientific uncertainties
related to the assessment of the environmental impacts of DU.
Appendix IV (pages 116 - 118 - Military use of DU
Appendix V) (pages 119 - 122 - Possible effects of DU on groundwater
Complete UNEP report and appendixes (PDF)
- More UNEP DU reports
Notice 12 March 2005: Unfortunately, some webmasters always change the addresses of their files. So the UNEP report is no longer at the site they were when we wrote this page. Sorry.
Leider "müssen" manche Webmaster ihre Seiten immer wieder ändern und die angegeben Seiten der UNEP sind leider nicht mehr an der Stelle wo sie waren.
**** end of excerpts ****
This material is distributed for research and educational purposes only.
ecoglobe has a different opinion with regard to "further scientific work". We believe that that there is ample evidence available that shows the devastating effects of the use of DU.
Wir sind anderer Meinung. Die Öffentlichen Medien scheinen das auch langsam zu merken. Siehe unsere Transkription einer Sendung in Radio DRS1 vom 11.3.2005.
And in any case: The "Precautionary Principle" demands that no risks are taken, especially with contamination by radioactive substances.
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