Royal Society statement on use of depleted uranium munitions in Iraq
15 April 2003
royalsoc.ac.uk
Royal Society statement on use of depleted uranium munitions in Iraq
15 April 2003
In response to media reports quoting representatives of the Anglo-American forces, citing Royal Society reports in connection with the long-term threat to civilians from depleted uranium munitions, the Royal Society is issuing the following statement of clarification.
Professor Brian Spratt, chair of the Royal Society working group on depleted uranium, said:
“The Royal Society’s recent study found that the majority of soldiers are unlikely to be exposed to dangerous levels of depleted uranium during and after its use on the battlefield. However, a small number of soldiers might suffer kidney damage and an increased risk of lung cancer if substantial amounts of depleted uranium are breathed in, for instance inside an armoured vehicle hit by a depleted uranium penetrator.
“Our study also concluded that the soil around the impact sites of depleted uranium penetrators may be heavily contaminated, and could be harmful if swallowed by children for example. In addition, large numbers of corroding depleted uranium penetrators embedded in the ground might pose a long-term threat if the uranium leaches into water supplies.
“Although only a small number of civilians will be at risk, we recommend that fragments of depleted uranium penetrators should be removed, and areas of contamination around depleted uranium penetrator impact sites should be identified and, where necessary, made safe. We also recommend long-term sampling, particularly of water and milk, to detect any increase in uranium levels in areas where depleted uranium has been used. This provides a cost-effective method of monitoring sensitive components in the environment, and of providing information about uranium levels to concerned local populations.
“The question of who is responsible for carrying out this clean-up and monitoring is primarily a political, rather than a scientific, one.”
The Royal Society has published two reports on the health effects of depleted uranium:
The health hazards of depleted uranium Part I, published in May 2001 and covering likely exposure levels, radiological effects and epidemiology.
The health hazards of depleted uranium Part II, published in March 2002 and covering effects from chemical toxicity and environmental impact.
Both reports, with summaries, are available on the Royal Society website:
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