Our country appears to be in denial about depleted uranium dangers.

[madfloridian]

I just read babylonsister's post about a mother seeing her son die of cancer.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x779330

Lori Brim has joined other parents, hundreds of other sick soldiers, legislators, research scientists and environmental activists who say the cause of their problems results from exposure to depleted uranium, a radioactive metal used in the manufacture of U.S. tank armor and weapon casings.

I had been working on some info about various views on depleted uranium and its dangers. It appears our country has been in denial about it, either on purpose or through ignorance on the subject.

Starting with the BBC in January 2001. They have a lot of research linked from that page.

Possible European ban on depleted uranium.

The European Parliament has called for a ban on the use of depleted uranium (DU) while investigations into a possible link between DU and cancer are carried out.

MEPs voted for the resolution by 339 to 202 after an emergency debate in Strasbourg. The motion is not binding but it will add pressure on states to support a moratorium on the use of DU munitions.

..."Several Nato member countries have expressed concern that incidences of cancer and other illnesses among soldiers who served as peacekeepers in the Balkans might have been caused by exposure to DU, which is mainly used in armour-piercing shells.

And interview on CNN in 2002 with an American general as the US prepares for its 2nd invasion of Iraq.

CNN Transcript November 8 2002 with General Clark

BLITZER: Yesterday on this program, exactly this time, Dr. Helen Caldicott, an anti-war activist, pediatrician, was on this program saying that the U.S. Army's use of these depleted uranium shells, these tank shells during the Gulf War a dozen years ago have caused enormous problems, cancer problems for young kids in that -- in southern Iraq. What can you tell us about the dangers from these depleted uranium shells which, of course, are stock equipment in the U.S. Army?

CLARK: Well we've looked at this extensively over a number of years. We use it not only for the tank shells but also for the armor of the tanks because it's a very effective material. And the honest truth is depleted uranium has less radioactive material in it than naturally occurring uranium. There's been study after study after study done and none of it substantiates the claim that this depleted uranium causes cancer.

In fact, during the Gulf War we had a number of U.S. soldiers exposed to the dust of the depleted uranium shells after they had struck targets. I think some 60 soldiers in a study. They've been in this study since the Gulf War. There's no evidence of any sign of cancer there or any of the radiation types of cancer in those troops and we're continuing the study. But I think, although certainly any environmental hazard is a concern, there's no reason in this case to believe that depleted uranium is a significant environmental problem

BLITZER: All right, General Clark, as always, thanks for joining us.

CLARK: Thank you, Wolf.

In 2005, Jim McDermott called for an investigation into the dangers of depleted uranium. There is a link to his House speech: If Depleted Uranium is Safe, Let them Prove It.

McDermott Leads Congressional Call to Study Effects of Depleted Uranium

"The need is urgent and imperative for full, fair and impartial studies," McDermott said. "We may be endangering the health and lives of U.S. soldiers and Iraqi civilians. All we've gotten so far from the Pentagon are assurances. We need facts backed by science. We don't have that today."

...."The Depleted Uranium Munitions Study Act of 2005 has 21 original co-sponsors, all Democrats, including: Reps. Charles Rangel, Pete Stark, Sherrod Brown, Peter DeFazio, Maurice Hinchey, Raul Grijalva, Jan Schakowsky, Robert Wexler, Sam Farr, Tammy Baldwin, Robert Andrews, Bob Filner, Jay Inslee, Jose Serrano, Lynn Woolsey, Earl Blumenauer, Bart Stupak, Mike Honda, Tom Udall, Barney Frank and Ed Markey.

Has anyone seen a follow-up to this investigation?

Skip ahead a bit to a Raw Story article with a powerful and very disturbing video from CNN. The article was posted on Raw Story in February 2007 with a link to the CNN video.

Army made video warning about dangers of depleted uranium but never showed it to troops

Scroll down a bit for the video.

A special investigation on the effects of depleted uranium reveals the Army made a tape warning of the effects of depleted uranium which was never shown to troops despite the fact the Pentagon knew the agent to be potentially deadly, CNN reports Tuesday.

Depleted uranium -- or DU -- was used in the Gulf War as a projectile that could penetrate tank armor. A group of soldiers are suing the US government because they are sick from exposure; despite the unshown video, the Army denies that depleted uranium represents a serious health risk.

CNN reporter Greg Hunter explains. The soldiers "report similar ailments. Painful urination, headaches and joint pain. They say Army doctors blame their symptoms on post traumatic stress. We showed them a tape the Army made in 1995, a tape the Army never distributed. It warned of potential D.U. hazards. The army's expert on D.U. training concedes some information contained on the tape is true. For instance, radioactive particles can be harmful."

A doctor who once investigated DU for the Army now believes that the health risks are serious.

Here is the entire CNN transcript from February 6, 2007.

CNN transcript from 2007

One of those interviewed referred to some areas in Iraq as a "radiological sewer".

HUNTER: Dr. Durakovic says one thing is for sure: a large part of Iraq is contaminated, particularly in the south where heavy tank battle took place. He calls it, quote, "a radiological sewer." The Army adamantly denies that.

O'BRIEN: When you go back and look at another war and another toxic agent, in that case Agent Orange in Vietnam. Veterans there had similar claims. Were sick because we were in contact with this Agent Orange. Ultimately, did they get claims from the military, and is that likely what's going to happen here?

HUNTER: Some did, but it took decades. And let me tell you, Agent Orange is tame compared to radiological dust that you can breathe into your lungs, stays in your body forever, has a half life of 4.5 billion years. This stuff stays around forever. So it is -- it is quite a controversy.

There are many videos on a search at Yahoo and Google. Here is just one example from the BBC. Looks like about 2000 or 2001...had to look up the date by reporter and subject.

http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=1095322642

It appears they are saying the government will have testing for the military because of health problems from Kosovo. Here is an article that might be about the same time.

BBC: Pressure grows for uranium tests

[Redstone]

1. And has been for at least 15 years; we STILL haven't admitted that a big part of

"Gulf War Syndrome" was from that evil shit.

Almost ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND of our soldiers from Gulf War 1 sick, and many dead. A true national disgrace, and neatly swept under the rug.

Nobody has EVER appeared to give a fuck about it.

Redstone

Edited to correct mistyping.

[babylonsister]

4. 300,000? No way; there weren't that many involved in 1.

Or were there? Coming from you, what have I missed?

And if that happened, what was the compelling reason to get involved in this?

Ugh.

[Redstone]

6. I mistyped. I meant 100,000. And my reason for posting that was to support the OP's contention

that the country has been in denial about "depleted" uranium for a LONG time.

I'm trying to help the OP get people stirred up about this, because it is a BIG problem. And think about how the poor Iraqis are going to suffer; our people get to come home and get away from the stuff, at least. The Iraqis are going to have to live in a country covered with DU dust.

Redstone

[Clarkie1]

25. You didn't mistype, you're just loose with your, er, "facts." nt

[madfloridian]

28. You are on a tear tonight.

You are attacking anyone for any reason.

[Clarkie1]

2. Clark is correct. nt

[madfloridian]

3. I have no comment to that statement. .

.

[Clarkie1]

5. Good. nt

[Redstone]

7. Uh-huh. Care to volunteer to breathe some DU dust?

Redstone

[Clarkie1]

8. I breathe uranium everyday, and so do you. In fact, it's inside of you now. nt

[Redstone]

12. You're ducking the question. Will you volunteer to breathe DU dust in the kind of concentration that

our soldiers and Iraqi civilians breath it?

I hate to be the one to break the news to you, but your Clark is not God. Just the fact that he says something does not automatically make it true.

Redstone

[Clarkie1]

17. Sure. It's less radioactive the the natural Uranium we breathe everyday. nt

[babylonsister]

9. Why is he correct? Please, you're obviously a fan, but back your

supposition up with facts. I learned that a long time ago.

[Clarkie1]

10. Facts.

1.1 What is uranium?
Uranium is a natural and commonly occurring radioactive element. It is found in very small amounts in nature in the form of minerals, but may be processed into a silver-colored metal. Rocks, soil, surface and underground water, air, and plants and animals all contain varying amounts of uranium. Typical concentrations in most materials are a few parts per million (ppm). This corresponds to around 4 tons of uranium in 1 square mile of soil 1 foot deep, or about half a teaspoon of uranium in a typical 8-cubic yard dump truck load of soil. Some rocks and soils may also contain greater amounts of uranium.

<snip>

In the air, uranium exists as dust. Very small dust-like particles of uranium in the air fall out of the air onto surface water, plant surfaces, and soil either by themselves or when rain falls. These particles of uranium eventually end up back in the soil or in the bottoms of lakes, rivers, and ponds, where they stay and mix with the natural uranium that is already there.

Uranium in water comes from different sources. Most of it comes from dissolving uranium out of rocks and soil that water runs over and through. Only a very small part is from the settling of uranium dust out of the air. Some of the uranium is simply suspended in water, like muddy water. The amount of uranium that has been measured in drinking water in different parts of the United States by EPA is generally less than 1.5 µg (1 pCi) for every liter of water. EPA has found that the levels of uranium in water in different parts of the United States are extremely low in most cases, and that water containing normal amounts of uranium is usually safe to drink. Because of the nature of uranium, not much of it gets into fish or vegetables, and most of that which gets into livestock is eliminated quickly in urine and feces.

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/phs150.html

[Redstone]

15. After reading this, Iask you to forget that I ever asked you a question. Jesus, I've seen some

obsessed people before, but trying to deny the danger of DU in CONCENTRATED FORM, for Christ's sake, which you will do NOTHING but dance around, because CLARK said it and CLARK is always right, is just getting boring.

Redstone

[Clarkie1]

21. It's not because Clark said it. The OP posted Clark's words.

Informed people who understand science understand what is dangerous and what is not.

Clark happens to be an informed person who understands science, and so do I.

[babylonsister]

16. Bullshit; what did your favorite candidate say, and why? An abstract

scientific study is not what I'm looking for. What does YOUR CANDIDATE say?

[Clarkie1]

19. That was already posted in the OP. And Clark's not running for President, by the way. nt

[babylonsister]

22. I save 'UGH' , but you earned it tonight. nt

[Clarkie1]

23. Whatever. nt

[babylonsister]

27. Great response. Where is it? nt

[Redstone]

13. Not going to happen this time. You're only going to get specious arguments that don't have

anything to do with the facts on the ground.

....See what I mean? "There's uranium everywhere, blah, blah..."

NOT answering yoru question, or mine.

Redstone

[Clarkie1]

14. I agree with you Redstone...very little facts from the hysterical anti-DU crowd. nt

[Redstone]

18. Still haven't answered my question, and your evasion is getting boring. I'm gone.

Redstone

[Clarkie1]

20. Gee...you're gone. How surprising. nt

[IChing]

11. I have an older friend whose brother in law is dyeing of agent blue.

Yes Blue....We talked about DU, let alone Orange.



Agent Blue is one of the "rainbow herbicides" that is known for its use by the United States during the Vietnam War. It was sprayed on rice paddies and other crops in an attempt to deprive the Vietnamese of valuable crops. Agent Blue is a mixture of two arsenic-containing compounds, Na-dimethyl arsenate (Na cacodylate) and dimethyl arsinic acid (cacodylic acid). Although it has a similar-sounding name, Agent Blue is chemically unrelated to the more infamous Agent Orange and other herbicides used during the war.

As rice is incredibly durable, and difficult to destroy with conventional explosives, and does not burn, the weapon of choice was herbicides. Agent Blue affects plants by causing them to dry out. As rice is highly dependent on water to live, using Agent Blue on these paddies can destroy an entire field and leave it unsuitable for further planting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agent_Blue

[Clarkie1]

24. Facts from the World Health Organization.

A recent United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report giving field measurements taken around selected impact sites in Kosovo (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) indicates that contamination by DU in the environment was localized to a few tens of metres around impact sites. Contamination by DU dusts of local vegetation and water supplies was found to be extremely low. Thus, the probability of significant exposure to local populations was considered to be very low.

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs257/en/

[madfloridian]

26. Do some more searching.

.

[IChing]

29. Sorry, Kosovo is not a good example of the use of shells

How many shells were exploded or used there?

[MadHound]

33. Key difference between Kosovo and Iraq

And that is the rain. Rain keeps the dust low, washes it in watersheds, keeps it stuck in mud, and even within the space of just a few years covers it with a layer of dirt and debris.

Iraq however doesn't receive much rain, hence the DU dust is allowed to freely travel across the surface at the whim of a wind. Little vegetation thus it takes longer to get buried under a dirt layer. Thus it is much more likely to become a problem.

One interestinging little thing to consider. When will the people start getting the cancer clusters as they allow their livestock to graze around these areas of contamination. After all, much like what happened in Wisconsin the DU particles will get take up by the plants, eaten by animals and enter humans via meat or milk.

[Clarkie1]

36. More Facts.

According to a European Union study released in 2001, "most of the ingested DU (between 98% and 99.8%, depending on the solubility of the uranium compound) will be rapidly eliminated in the faeces." The vast majority of any remaining uranium will be "rapidly cleared from the blood" in a few weeks. Similarly, the majority of inhaled DU dust will also be cleared via the bloodstream and kidneys. The EU report concluded that "exposure to DU could not produce any detectable health effects under realistic assumptions of the doses that would be received."
Similarly, studies by the European Union and World Health Organization also fail to find any evidence that would back up claims by alarmists such as Helen Caldicott that the use of DU in the 1991 Iraq war constituted America's second nuclear war. Bailey writes,


Another 2001 report to the European Parliament compared exposures to DU to those experienced by uranium miners and concluded, "The fact that there is no evidence of an association between exposures—sometimes high and lasting since the beginning of the uranium industry—and health damages such as bone cancer, lymphatic or other forms of leukemia shows that these diseases as a consequence of an uranium exposure are either not present or very exceptional."

http://www.skepticism.net/articles/2003/000025.html
The World Health Organization agrees that DU is not a great health risk. Its 2003 fact sheet on the topic declares that "because DU is only weakly radioactive, very large amounts of dust (on the order of grams) would have to be inhaled for the additional risk of lung cancer to be detectable in an exposed group. Risks for other radiation-induced cancers, including leukaemia, are considered to be very much lower than for lung cancer." Another WHO report found, "The radiological hazard is likely to be very small. No increase of leukemia or other cancers has been established following exposure to uranium or DU."

The anti-DU rhetoric plays upon people's fears and misconceptions about anything said to be even remotely radioactive. WHat it doesn't have on its side is much in the way of evidence for its alarmist claims.

[silverojo]

30. K&R

It's appalling to me, how people who call themselves Democrats can actually sit there and defend ANYTHING that pollutes our environment.

I have zero respect for Clark anymore. The only "studies" he's looked at, apparently, are those spoon-fed to him by the war machine. I'd like to see him go live in one of those DU hotspots for a year or so, then come back to tell us how clever he is. Meet you in the oncology ward, Wes! :mad:

When the Army makes a video about the hazards of DU--whether it was shown to the troops or not--this is pretty compelling evidence that even they know it's a problem...and are doing some serious CYA to avoid having to shell out big bucks to those troops who get exposed to it.

[CGowen]

31. They knew and they don't care

THE Pentagon scientist who briefed Britain and America on the lethal health risks to Western troops of using depleted-uranium (DU) shells claims he warned the allied powers as far back as 1991 that the explosives could cause cancer, mental illness and birth defects.

Professor Doug Rokke, ex- director of the Pentagon's Depleted-Uranium Project, says the USA and UK have covered up the hazards , despite the rising death toll among allied troops who fought in the Gulf from illnesses linked to DU exposure, including Gulf War syndrome. The UN Environment Programme has also found traces of radiation at eight sites in Kosovo hit by Nato DU shells.

The Sunday Herald has been passed a restricted MoD document dated February 25, 1991 - four days before the Gulf War ceasefire. It states that full protective clothing and respirators should be worn when close to DU shells and that human remains exposed to DU should be hosed down before disposal.

The document - coded 25/22/40/2 - says inhalation or ingestion of particles from shells is a health risk and exposure should be treated as "exposure to lead oxide". DU dust on food would result in contamination.

Rokke , a former professor of environmental science at Jacksonville University, was tasked by the US department of defence with organising the DU clean-up of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait after the Gulf War.

........

http://emperors-clothes.com/news/told.htm

[chknltl]

32. Thank you for posting this. recommended AND:

I once had a college professor who spent the day debating with us that humans descended directly from frogs. His point: with enough cherry picking of the data one can back up even the most preposterous assertions with science. We students got the point and I have not forgotten it.

As you are well aware with the Global Warming issue, there are those yet out there who cherry pick the science and DELIBERATELY ignore everything contrary to their preplanned conclusions. In my heart I believe that these particular naysayers are going the same way as the flat earthers of another era and will become irrelevant to society. I argue that they are NOT irrelevant in that the damage is happening daily...the longer the naysayers can hold out, ie: cause the needed reaction to stem global warming to be further delayed, the more the damage is being done. I accuse those naysayers of being complicit in the crime but then who am I....sadly they will be forgotten and indeed will get away with their crime of aiding in the continuance of the degradation of our environment.

The same holds true with the Depleted Uranium Oxide Poisoning issue. The naysayers have the same access to the on-line data that we all have and yet they seem to choose to ignore the substantial data which contradicts their predetermined suppositions. This of course is a benefit ONLY to those who directly and indirectly profit from this outrageous crime against humanity.

I am only human, I can forgive much, those who deliberately choose to ignore the effects of DU-Oxide poisoning on the noncombatants and the innocent victims is one thing BUT advocating in a public forum for those who would spread the myth of the harmlessness of this nightmare is entirely more than I can handle. Each second the ravages mount is a second which should have been used at the VERY LEAST to get folks away from the contaminated areas! Eventually this will happen...eventually someone will have to clean up those contaminated sites...Ive a good mind WHO to recommend for the task and yes I am just outraged enough to suggest that this person be put to such good work with no more protective gear than is in current fashion by the local victims.

For the first time since I have come to the Democratic Underground I have found someone who has outraged me enough to be placed on ignore. This person could no longer convince me that water is wet out in the Pacific Ocean. I see no reason to hear anything further out of this particular DUer any more than I would want to hear more from the few "scientists" who are trying to sway public opinion that Global Warming is a myth. If donald rumsfeld himself were to come here and argue for staying the course over in Iraq he would get the same treatment as his words carry equal weight with me.

I enjoy a real debate...perhaps a little less when I am wrong, I am only human here but folks like this, in my point of view are being criminal...their crime may indeed indirectly cause the further pain, suffering, heartache, and even deaths of their fellow humans-THEY ABSOLUTELY DISGUST ME!

When it comes to DU Oxide contamination, the questions are no longer about it being harmful, the questions are what is to be done about it and how quickly can this be started. What the naysayers need to ask themselves: Who benefits from advocating that DU Oxide is a nightmare as opposed to who benefits from advocating that it is harmless. Another question that they should ask themselves if they are so convinced that they are right: would they allow their own loved ones to handle this material unprotected....I am betting that should they review the bulk of the data out there they would NOT allow their loved ones to handle this material...if they would then they are truly insane. I am also betting that Wes Clark would not let his grand children handle this material either...he does not strike me as insane. Insane or just plain hypocritical, either way they have no wisdom I am interested in hearing.

Redstone, babylonsister, and madfloridian, I have enjoyed your threads and posts, I have learned from them. I thank you all for this and look forward to reading more from you all. To me you are all fighting for the betterment of our world. :patriot:
chknltl

[robcon]

34. The D.U. issue is truly a phony one, IMO.

There are more "might be's" "could be's" and "no evidence, but lot's of worries" about depleted uranium.

There's no scientific reason to be concerned, IMO. I'd like to see a real study done, so this fantasy could be dismissed.

[Altean Wanderer]

35. Great compilation of articles on Depleted Uranium...

after studying this fairly intensively and seeing Major Doug Rokke speak last year, I'm convinced DU is very dangerous and its use constitutes a war crime. Doug Rokke was put in charge of clean-up after the Gulf War (an impossible task, as he related), and he described how many of his fellow soldiers have died or suffer from incurable diseases since being exposed to DU dust. He showed a few of us the gross recurring puss sores on his back that have been with him for years. And he's a physicist to boot. I'll take his word over that of General Clarke any day. (Thought to be fair to Clarke, I am impressed with his efforts to prevent an attack on Iran.)

We must ban DU - and soon. Imagine how much DU would be dropped on Iran in an air strike. It will condemn that country to unimaginable horrors of soaring cancer rates, monster birth defects, etc.

No civilized people would allow it to be used in weapons.

[madfloridian]

37. I am not knowledgable on it, but I am concerned. Kucinich video.

I make no pretense of having much knowledge. But something is wrong for sure.

I am concerned because Avon Park, Florida is now being called the new Vieques...where I understand we did use this stuff. And I wonder if they are using it there in Central Florida now? I guarantee you there will be no answers coming.

I found this Kucinich video with Rokke. I much admire him for doing this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxqbFkNf7GM

All I could do is post opinions mostly found on mainstream sources. Got attacked anyway.

There are so many pages on it, I just picked a few.

[chknltl]

41. Sucks you got attacked by the naysayers...

Many who are aware of this issue are in strong favor of having the material cleaned up and the victims treated as best as is possible. Why do we feel this way? Even if we are wrong there is SOMETHING which is causing the victims to get sick, to bring about the increases in cancer, to cause the babies to be born mutated, mutilated and dead... We want at the very least to eliminate the likely suspects because we want the horror to stop. The naysayers on the other hand choose DELIBERATELY to slow down that process by spouting the talking points used and perhaps controlled by those who stand to loose if Depleted Uranium is found to be the culprit. They want those studies stopped! They want for people to STOP talking about this issue. To me these folks are either koo-laid drinkers or sick bastards. If they are right...what was the cost...on the other hand if they are wrong, and the bulk of the evidence demonstrates that they are, then what was the cost?

We all have equal access to the on-line evidence...I for one do not need further convincing. I for one am utterly revolted over the notion that some of my fellow DUers can be so callous as to speak out against folks wanting to see this issue brought further out to the peoples attention. I fail to see what is to be gained here by trying to convince their fellow DUers that there is nothing to worry about. On the other hand I easily can appreciate what can be gained when public outcry finally reaches the tipping point and our politicians bear the brunt of public outrage. Those who are responsible for this crime need to be held accountable...not that the naysayers feel this way.

I support Jim McDermott, D. Wa States further investigations into the DU issue. He has a medical background. He has been speaking out against DU since just prior to bush jr.s fiasco over in Iraq.
I suppose the naysayers would have to say he and others in our government are wasting taxpayers money by trying to pass legislation on this issue...legislation which would have passed years ago if public opinion could have been brought to bear here...not that this would benefit the nuclear waste industry or the arms manufacturers or the politicians who have gained from those defense contracts.
(The very folks who side with the naysayers...company the peoples of our planet can ill afford to side with in my estimation)

[Clarkie1]

39. Rokke is not a physicist, although he may have claimed he was at the lecture.

Rokke commonly refers to this period of work as his being the Director of the Army's depleted uranium program. Rokke has exaggerated that as well as most other aspects of his involvement with the Army and Depleted Uranium. For example in numerous interviews, Rokke has been described as having a Ph.D. in Health Physics. This is incorrect as his Ph.D. is in education. This bit of misinformation can be found in the interview below entitled "The War Against Ourselves."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Rokke

By the way it's Clark, not Clarke.

[CGowen]

45. someone with an wiki account could update the info

EDUCATION

*

Doctor of Philosophy; University of Illinois; 1992.
*

Master of Science; University of Illinois; 1986.
*

Bachelor of Science; Western Illinois University; 1975

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

*

Substitute teacher, Cross Category Special Education aide since school started at Urbana Middle School, and also listed as substitute teacher for Rantoul, Thomasboro, Urbana, Champaign, and the High School of St. Thomas Moore; 8/02 - present. Co-Director, Hang Time Summer Camp (11,12, 13, 14 year old children), Kaufman Lake, Champaign Park District, Champaign, Illinois; June – August 2002
*

Science Teacher, 8th grade, Urbana Middle School, Urbana, Illinois. Employed through College of Education, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois. 01/14/02 –6/05/02
*

Substitute Teacher: Teach various subjects, specifically science and mathematics upon request with Rantoul and Urbana Public Schools. 9/01 – 01/14/02.
*

Independent Consultant. Provide assistance to individuals, governmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations on health, physical science, hazardous materials, counter-terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, and environmental issues. 6/00-present.
*

Visiting Assistant Professor in Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Department of Physical and Earth Sciences, Jacksonville State University (JSU), Jacksonville, Alabama, 1998-2000. Developed and taught environmental sciences and engineering undergraduate and graduate courses. Provided public service in the areas of environmental protection, problem analysis, and remediation. Co-pilot of Spacecraft JSU (the observatory and planetarium program)
*

Environmental Sciences Specialist, Transportation Safety Institute, Aviation and Environmental Safety Division, U.S. Department of Transportation, Oklahoma City, Ok.; 1997-1998 Developed and prepared environmental science and occupational safety education programs. Researched and wrote environmental remediation guidelines. Attended professional meetings and courses.
*

Director, Edwin R. Bradley Radiological Laboratories, Fort McClellan, Alabama; 1996-1997 Directed the development, instruction, and assessment of radiation safety education and field procedures for the U.S. Army. Taught radiation safety courses.
*

Staff Physicist; University of Illinois: Department of Chemistry, Department of Physics, Department of Food Science, Department of Electrical Engineering, and Department of Agricultural Engineering; 1977 - 1996. Supported department research efforts, supervised safety, designed and constructed research equipment, maintained department inventory, prepared and supervised students during laboratory classes. Attended professional meetings and courses.
*

Project Director; U.S. Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, Alabama; 1994- 1995. Completed research and wrote low level radiation safety procedures and education guidelines for the U.S. Department of Defense. Taught radiation safety courses.
*

Environmental Educator; Environmental Sciences Division (Training Impact Mitigation Team), U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, University of Illinois; 1992 - 1993. Developed environmental science procedures and education curricula for U.S. Army.
*

Nuclear Medical Sciences Officer, Executive Officer, Training Officer, Mobilization Officer, Medical Team Leader, Laboratory Director, Depleted Uranium Project Director, Medical and Hazardous Materials Instructor, Avionics; U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, U.S. Army National Guard; 1980-present and U.S. Air Force; 1967-1973. Responsibilities include planning, conducting, and evaluating medical operations and medical education for U.S. medical units and personnel.
*

Process Engineer: Pioneer Screw and Nut Company, Elk Grove Village, Illinois: 1976-1977. Researched, planned, and evaluated fastener manufacturing techniques and procedures. Designed fastener products.
*

Criminalist; Joliet Police Department, Joliet, Illinois: 1975-1976. Provided on site and laboratory based scientific services during criminal investigations


http://www.mindfully.org/Nucs/2003/Rokke-Depleted-Uranium-DU21apr03.htm

[Kurovski]

38. K&R. One of THE most under reported stories

with ongoing and devastating consequences.

[madfloridian]

40. More on Jim McDermott's contribution to the research on this issue.

He called for research on this in 2005. I found this from May 2006.

http://www.house.gov/mcdermott/pr060511b.shtml

House Passes McDermott Depleted Uranium Study Amendment. Possible DU Health Effects on Soldiers Will Be Studied
May 11, 2006

After years of relentless and unwavering efforts, including speeches, interviews, news conferences, working with groups like Physicians for Social Responsibility, and even appearing on a song in a newly released Punk Rock album, in order to raise public awareness, the House of Representatives today passed legislation that includes an amendment by Rep. Jim McDermott (WA-D) ordering a comprehensive study on possible health effects from exposure to depleted uranium on U.S. soldiers and their children.

Shortly after passage, Rep. McDermott received a letter from James King, the national executive director of AMVETS, the American Veterans organization:

"This is a very important issue for AMVETS and its membership. Our ultimate goal is to provide atomic veterans with the tools necessary to file a claim and be considered for due compensation. Your amendment will help begin this process.

Again, thank you for your amendment and your support of veterans and their families."

I can't find anymore about the study.

[chknltl]

42. I listened to Jim on C-Span speak out against DU....

...during the runnup to bush's fiasco of a war in Iraq. He had just gotten back from a fact finding tour over in Iraq and got labeled "Baghdad Jim" for his efforts by the freepers. He has a background in medicine so he was able to evaluate the crisis going on over in Baghdad's hospitals. Even back then he was warning us about Depleted Uranium Oxide poisoning and the effects it was having on the babies being born to women who had been exposed. (btw: A secondary exposure is possible when the exposed father exposes the mother during sex, this potential for secondary exposure has been documented here as well with some of our returning exposed vets and may indeed be the cause for the sickness that those women now suffer and for the upswing in percentages of mutated babies being born to those exposed vets).

I have e-mailed Senator McDermott with a request for info on the history of the legislation he has sponsored and co-sponsored on this issue. He has been active on this for many years now and last I saw he and Maria Cantwell, (D. Wash), had sponsored a new bill on this just a few months back. I do not know what became of this bill or the others prior. Senator McDermott has responded to my e-mails on this issue in the past...(but not on other issues), so I am hoping he will be able to send me the requested info. If and when he does this I will PM you with it and/or post it for all to see.
c

[madfloridian]

43. Thank you so much.

I admire him a lot, and I would appreciate anything you can find. Although we live in Florida we have donated to him to help with legal battles...a lot of other DFAers do as well.

:hi:

[Cobalt-60]

44. The term "Depleted" is misleading

A single isotope has been depleted. The remaining material is still "hot".
The remainder is still Uranium.
Depleted makes it sound safe. Obviously it isn't.
Referring to them simply as Uranium bullets is accurate, faster, and carries more weight than
"depleted" Uranium.

[intaglio]

46. Will people stop confusing RADIOLOGICAL with CHEMICAL toxicity

For example Ditritium Hydroxide - super heavy water - is not toxic chemically but is toxic radiologically, whilst Arsenic As33 is chemically toxic.

It is known that ingested or inhaled Uranium concentrates in the kidneys ( http://web.ead.anl.gov/uranium/guide/ucompound/health/index.cfm ).

Heavy metals, of which Uranium is one, eliminate very slowly from the kidneys so excessive amounts build up and cause damage. If exposure is not chronic then the kidneys will generally repair themselves after a few days. Lead, Pb, is the classic heavy metal poison and it has long been known that chronic Lead poisoning in childhood leads to a greater chance of kidney, liver, stomach and bone cancers in later life. Depleted Uranium is likely to have similar effects.

There is a devil in the details, though, and that is wheather the concentration of Uranium in the kidneys might give a greater risk of radiological damage as well. I can find no studies of this or of the other scary idea that sometimes different isotopes of the same compound are eliminated at different rates. A process like that could lead to the kidneys concentrating the more radioactive isotope and hence more likelihood of radiologically induced cancers.

[madfloridian]

49. I don't know enough to be confused. Note that I only posted opinions of others.

Because it appears many are concerned. Please note I did not claim to be knowledgeable.

It is a complicated enough subject that it deserves honesty and clarity from our government which is using it.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

51. Heavy water is highly chemically toxic.

[LWolf]

47. Denial is the normal state of most U.S. citizens

on just about every topic. :shrug:

[Karenina]

52. ...

...

[madrchsod]

48. if the pentagon says it`s ok, well that`s fine with me.

i believe that our government would never lie to our troops,the american people,and the citizens of the world.so i decided to do research to see if there were any news reports,personal documents,and reputable case studies and i found none. therefore i have come to the conclusion that anyone that even questions the pentagon`s research on these or any other matter are in fact an enemy of the state. they should be dealt with in the appropriate manor.

well to be honest, i did find these "sites" and i`m posting them to educate you just how insidious the enemy really is.....

this source is obviously a phony site. "christian scientist" monitor? ya right

http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0515/p01s02-woiq.html
Remains of toxic bullets litter Iraq | csmonitor.com

this person must be a member of a terrorist group

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=AL-20060831&articleId=3116
Depleted Uranium Radioactive Contamination In Iraq: An Overview

this man claims to be a iraqi doctor-do these people actually have doctors? i noticed it`s a "pdf file" what the hell is that?

----WARNING THE PICTURES ARE GRAPHIC------

http://www.albasrah.net/en_articles_2006/1106/Effects_of_Depleted_Uranium_on_Iraqies.pdf
Effects_of_Depleted_Uranium_on_Iraqies.pdf (application/pdf Object)


never question authority

[madfloridian]

50. Good post.

Well done. :hi:

[JohnyCanuck]

53. One Canadian veteran's not so pleasant experience with depleted uranium

Terry Riordon was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces serving in the Gulf War. He passed away in April 1999 at the age of 45. The official cause of death was Gulf War Syndrome.

Terry went to the Persian Gulf in December 26, 1990 with honor, dignity and pride - serving his country as Captain J. Terry Riordon of the Canadian Armed Forces. Terry left Canada a very fit man who did cross-country skiing and ran in marathons. On his return only two months later he could barely walk.

He returned to Canada in February 1991 with documented loss of motor control, chronic fatigue, respiratory difficulties, chest pain, difficulty breathing, sleep problems, short-term memory loss, testicle pain, body pains, aching bones, diarrhea, and depression. After his death depleted uranium (DU) contamination was discovered in his lungs and bones.

For eight years he suffered his innumerable ailments and struggled with the military bureaucracy and the system to get proper diagnosis and treatment. His wife, Susan Riordon, speaks most eloquently of the nightmare of physical, mental and emotional hardship endured not just by Terry but his entire family.

He was ultimately unsuccessful it getting the answers or help he needed in his lifetime. His final wish was to donate his body to independent research on DU. That was Terry's gift to all who served in the Persian Gulf. He wanted his body to supply the answers to years of suffering and frustration. Through his gift UMRC was able to have obtain conclusive evidence of internal DU contamination in his lungs and bones. Even after death Terry continues to contribute to his country and his fellow veterans.

http://www.umrc.net/riordon.aspx

[madfloridian]

54. He had to donate his body to get the tests done. How tragic.

"He was ultimately unsuccessful it getting the answers or help he needed in his lifetime. His final wish was to donate his body to independent research on DU. That was Terry's gift to all who served in the Persian Gulf. He wanted his body to supply the answers to years of suffering and frustration. Through his gift UMRC was able to have obtain conclusive evidence of internal DU contamination in his lungs and bones. Even after death Terry continues to contribute to his country and his fellow veterans."

America and Canada are enlightened countries who can do better than that. Sounds like Canada is a bit ahead of us on this.

Thanks for sharing.

[benld74]

55. Where do they make this SHIT?!?!?

Would the workers who manufacture this shit also be showing some type of health ills? Does anyone know?

[SidDithers]

56. DU is a heavy metal...

and as such, has significant toxicological properties. However, it has a half-life that is so incredibly long, it might as well be radioactively stable.

DU is bad stuff, but beware of those who talk of it as a "nuclear weapon", or describe its 4.5 billion year half-life as if that's a bad thing. If that is the quality of their argument, then they are using scary sounding terms to promote an agenda.

There's enough reason to ban the use of DU in weapons without misrepresenting its dangers.

Sid

[JohnyCanuck]

57. UMRC says radiation from DU is still hazardous

(especially so since it is internalized.)

The following is from the web site of the Uranium Medical Research Centre which is headed up by Dr. Asaf Durakovic a former Head of Nuclear Medicine at the Veterans Affairs medical center in Wilmington Delaware and a Professor of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine at Georgetown University.

Radiation and the Human Body
In terms of pure physics, radiation is the process of transport of energy across space. Radioactivity is the process of decay of a physical element and involves the emitting of "bundles of energy", which may have a mass or not and may have an electric charge or not.

Relatively few natural elements undergo this process and they are called "radioactive" elements. Alpha and beta particles, gamma-rays are emitted when radioactive decay takes place.

When particles reach the human body they interact with its physical components. This interaction results in the deposit of part or all of the energy carried by the “intruder” particle. The particles are so tiny that their effect is not immediately sensed by the body. It is the consequences of this interaction that is felt inside the body - by disruption of the bonds that keep molecules together and by creating ions that further interact with our system.

Each particle emitted has a certain amount of energy. The energy multiplied by the total number of particles gives the total amount of "uninvited" energy released in the body. To illustrate this point, consider the number of alpha particles emitted by a single spherical pellet of uranium oxide (UO2) 0.0001 inch or 2.5 microns in diameter (equivalent to 1/40th the width of a human hair) and the dose rate it produces.

Tiny as it is, the 2.5 micron depleted uranium oxide pellet contains 210 billion atoms (2.1 x 10 to the power of 11) of U238. Each year, the pellet will emit an average 32.3 alpha particles. It also contains U234, 235, 236 which together yield an additional 5.3 alpha particles per year. Thus a single pellet of depleted UO2 will produce a total of 37.6 alpha particles per year.

The 37.6 alpha particles will deliver a radiation dose of 17 rads/year. With an RBE (Relative Biological Effectiveness) factor of 10, the dose rate is 170 rem/year for the surrounding body tissue. In the US, the Code of Federal Regulations regarding energy specifies an annual limit of 0.17 rem/year and a specific limit of 0.5 rem/year for an individual in the general population.

A quick calculation shows one single pellet delivers 1,000 times the annual limit. This number is multiplied by the total number of pellets present in the body. For example, if a single or series of exposures resulted in the presence of 10 pellets then the annual limit is exceeded by 10,000.

Another factor to consider is "permanence". Objects or particles less than 5 micron in diameter are considered respirable, meaning that it is small enough to enter into the lungs and become permanently trapped. If the body does not manage to somehow release it then the radiation is internalized and the dosage is permanent during the individual's lifetime and even remains in their physical remains after death.

http://www.umrc.net/radiation_and_the_human_body.aspx


Fiction: Alpha particles can't penetrate clothes and skin.

Fact: This statement ignores the most prevalent and dangerous pathway for uranium to get into the human body. Inhaled uranium can remain in the lungs and bones for years where it continues to emit alpha, beta and gamma radiation. Each alpha particle can traverse up to several hundred cells causing somatic and genetic alterations. Multiply this by billions of such particles and a huge amount of cellular damage becomes possible. The majority (50-70%) of the airborne DU particles sampled during the testing of 105 mm DU projectiles were in the respirable range and capable of reaching the non-ciliated bronchial tree. Studies also indicate that the half-time in the lungs is up to 5 years.

Soluble DU compounds have rapid access to the bloodstream with consequent toxic effects on the target organs and the bone where it is incorporated. Mass spectrometry results of deceased Canadian veteran, Captain Terry Riordon, confirmed that depleted uranium was present in his bone. From there it can compromise the immune system and affect the stem cells that travel throughout the body thereby affecting many other organs. Soldiers inside a tank or armoured vehicle can inhale tens of milligrams of DU after the shell goes through the tank. Compare this to the maximum allowable yearly dose in the U.S. for inhaled uranium is 1.2 milligrams per year.

http://www.umrc.net/facts_and_fictions.aspx

[SidDithers]

59. The statement "Alpha particles can't penetrate clothes and skin"...

is 100% correct. That statement is not fiction.

Find me an alpha particle that can penetrate clothes or skin.

As I said. Beware of sources using bad science to bolster their argument. They are promoting an agenda, not presenting facts.

Sid

[JohnyCanuck]

60. I agree it was perhaps clumsily worded

but if you read what they are saying in context the message is clearly that it is not wise to operate on the assumption that alpha particles are not hazardous to human cells simply because alpha particles cannot penetrate clothes or the outside layer of dead skin cells. The problem with depleted uranium is that the minute particles of the depleted uranium oxide left after the munitions explode are inhaled deep into the lungs where they can become lodged and then cross the blood/lung barrier into the bloodstream and form there irradiate the more vulnerable interior body cells.

Fiction: Alpha particles can't penetrate clothes and skin.

Fact:This statement ignores the most prevalent and dangerous pathway for uranium to get into the human body. Inhaled uranium can remain in the lungs and bones for years where it continues to emit alpha, beta and gamma radiation. (bolded for Mr. Dithers' benefit) Each alpha particle can traverse up to several hundred cells causing somatic and genetic alterations. Multiply this by billions of such particles and a huge amount of cellular damage becomes possible. The majority (50-70%) of the airborne DU particles sampled during the testing of 105 mm DU projectiles were in the respirable range and capable of reaching the non-ciliated bronchial tree. Studies also indicate that the half-time in the lungs is up to 5 years.

Soluble DU compounds have rapid access to the bloodstream with consequent toxic effects on the target organs and the bone where it is incorporated. Mass spectrometry results of deceased Canadian veteran, Captain Terry Riordon, confirmed that depleted uranium was present in his bone. From there it can compromise the immune system and affect the stem cells that travel throughout the body thereby affecting many other organs. Soldiers inside a tank or armoured vehicle can inhale tens of milligrams of DU after the shell goes through the tank. Compare this to the maximum allowable yearly dose in the U.S. for inhaled uranium is 1.2 milligrams per year.

[demoleft]

58. In Italy a parliamentary commission on depleted uranium

There is an investigation going on in Italy about the use of depleted uranium in Kosovo. Some soldiers state 7 on 10 involved in the operations underwent surgery for curing tyroid diseases and cancers. There is apparently no direct cause-effect relation between weapons with d.u. and diseases, at least scientifically.

But the explosion of those weapons and the mix between d.u. and metals released in the air may give origin to some of the so-called nanopathologies, that lead to illness and diseases. "Balkan Syndrome" is among these. There is a study branch with a website in english, www.nanopathology.it, and a study here at http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:HnWc3O81jTkJ:ec.europa.eu/research/quality-of-life/ka4/pdf/report_nanopathology_en.pdf+nanopathology+uranium&hl=it&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=it, expecially from page 7 on, which is really impressive.

An italian parliamentary commission today investigates on cases but with wider power than in the past: both military and civil patients will be questioned. A bit of truth on this, let's hope.

As to me I live on the adriatic see, in front of former Jugoslavia. It may be due to more check-ups but to our perception tyroid disfunctions, on low scale, are growing among the population, since the Chernobyl accident and after the balkan war.
The problem is: the adriatic sea was involved in the conflict, because of rivers ending up there and because of shells found in the sea by fishers.
We enjoy the same water, almost the same air and surely the same fish that our friends on the other side enjoy. I'd like to know what has been like the quality of those waters, air and fish since the '90s.
And it seems impossible to have anything but mere suppositions.

So, for now, we must assume that we have more tyroid disfunctions because we make more check-up than in the past.
Though I'm not persuaded!