"A new finding of particular interest was the detection through modern air
sampling techniques of airborne DU particles at two of the sites".
| study conducted in coöperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) with additional support from the World Health Organization (WHO) |
 |
DEPLETED URANIUM PARTICLES
(SEM 500x) Photograph in report:
|
| Estimate
of radiation dose from a depleted uranium oxide particle dr.
Len A. Dietz 10 January
1991
Issues on the Use and Effects of Depleted Uranium Weapons |
UNEP confirms
low-level DU contamination
in Serbia
and Montenegro, calls for precaution
Geneva, 27
March 2002 - A new study of six sites in Serbia and
Montenegro
that were struck by depleted uranium (DU) munitions during the
1999 Kosovo
conflict confirms the presence at five sites of widespread, but
low-level,
DU contamination, the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) announced
today.
The UNEP study
concludes that the DU sites studied do not present
immediate
radioactive or toxic risks for the environment or human health.
These findings
are consistent with those of UNEP's 2001 DU study in
Kosovo. Together,
the two studies cover the entire geographical area
affected
by DU munitions during the Kosovo conflict.
However, UNEP
recommends that the authorities take precautionary
measures.
The most important concern is the potential for future
groundwater
contamination by corroding penetrators (ammunition tips made
out of DU).
The penetrators recovered by the UNEP team had decreased in
mass by 10-15%
due to corrosion. This rapid corrosion speed underlines
the importance
of monitoring the water quality at the DU sites on an annual
basis.
A new finding
of particular interest was the detection through modern air
sampling
techniques of airborne DU particles at two of the sites. While the
detected
levels were still below international safety limits, these results
have implications
for site decontamination and construction work, activities
that could
potentially stir up DU dust from the ground surface. In addition,
the results
indicate that DU dust was widely dispersed into the environment
following
the explosion of DU rounds.
The study
was conducted in cooperation with the International Atomic
Energy Agency
(IAEA) with additional support from the World Health
Organization
(WHO).
"This new
study makes an important contribution to our scientific
understanding
of DU's environmental behaviour," said UNEP Executive
Director
Klaus Toepfer. "Even if the observed levels of contamination are
low, we learn
that particles of DU dust can even now be detected in soil
samples and
in sensitive biological indicators such as lichen."
"The UNEP
study in Serbia and Montenegro confirms that contamination at
the targeted
sites is widespread. We did not find levels of radioactivity that
could pose
a direct threat to the environment or to human health.
Nevertheless,
we strongly recommend taking precautionary measures
similar to
those outlined in our Kosovo report last year," he said.
"The team
was surprised to find DU particles still in the air two years after
the conflict's
end. Based on these findings, the authorities should carefully
plan how
DU-targeted sites are used in the future. Any soil disturbance at
these sites
could risk releasing DU particles into the air," said Pekka
Haavisto,
Chairman of the UNEP Depleted Uranium Assessment Team.
"Continued
monitoring is clearly needed, and the local population should be
informed
about DU issues. Fortunately, although a complete clean-up may
not be technically
possible, decontamination operations have already star
ted in both
Serbia and Montenegro," he said.
UNEP sent
a field mission to Serbia and Montenegro in late 2001 in
response
to an invitation from the Yugoslav authorities. From 27 October to
5 November
2001, the team of 14 international experts investigated five of
the eleven
sites that were struck with DU ordnance in Serbia, the single site
that was
hit in Montenegro plus one targeted military vehicle.
The sites
were independently selected by the UNEP experts based on the
quantity
of DU used, environmental and security considerations and
population
density. In addition, the IAEA experts on the team evaluated the
storage of
DU at the Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences in Belgrade, and
the report
raises a number of concerns about conditions there.
The assessment
team collected 161 samples, including 69 vegetation, 54
soil, 17
air, 11 water, and 4 smear samples. Three penetrators and three
penetrator
fragments were also collected. The samples were analysed by
Switzerland's
Spiez laboratory and Italy's ANPA laboratory.
In addition
to the key findings described above, the study report also noted
that the
DU sites had already been signposted and fenced off by the
authorities,
reflecting the recommendations made in UNEP's 2001 study;
that the
coordinates of one DU site identified by the Yugoslav authorities
had not been
provided to UNEP by NATO, highlighting the need for accurate
and timely
information on DU sites; that WHO found no evidence to link DU
to the chromosome
changes reported by Montenegrin authorities in six
individuals
who had worked on DU site decontamination for four months;
and that
it is very difficult to fully decontaminate DU sites.
The DU study
was funded by the Government of Switzerland. Both
Switzerland
and Italy provided laboratory facilities for the analytical work.
The governments
of Greece, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the US also
provided
in-kind support.
The report is available at <http://postconflict.unep.ch/>.
UNEP Depleted
Uranium Assessment Team Chairman
Mr. Pekka
Haavisto at +41-79-477-0877 or pekka.haavisto@unep.ch;
UNEP Spokesperson
Mr. Tore Brevik at +254-2-623292 or
tore.brevik@unep.org
Post-Conflict
Unit Head Mr. Henrik Slotte at +41-22-917-8598
Senior Policy
Advisor Mr. Pasi Rinne at +41-22-917-8617
UNEP Press
Officer Mr. Michael Williams at +41-22-917-8242,
+41-79-409-1528
(cell), or michael.williams@unep.ch
