Information Paper

 

Depleted Uranium Environmental and Medical Surveillance in the Balkans

Information Papers are reports of what we know today about issues potentially impacting the health of deployed military personnel. This particular information paper on depleted uranium environmental and medical surveillance in the Balkans is not an investigative report, but is a summary of reports from countries and international organizations performing environmental assessments in the Balkans and medical surveillance on Balkan veterans. Future updates of this paper will include newly reported results. We hope you will read this and contact us with any information that would help us better understand the impact of depleted uranium on the Balkans environment and the health of deployed and indigenous personnel. If you have any additional information, please call:

1-800-497-6261

 

Dr. J. Jarrett Clinton
Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness)
for Gulf War Illnesses, Medical Readiness, and Military Deployments
Department of Defense

2001208-0000033 Ver. 1.0

 

Last Update: October 25, 2001

Many veterans of the Gulf War have expressed concern their unexplained illnesses may result from their experiences in that war. In response to veterans’ concerns, the Department of Defense established a task force in June 1995 to investigate incidents and circumstances relating to possible causes. The Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense for Gulf War Illnesses assumed responsibility for these investigations on November 12, 1996, and continued to investigate topics related to reports of chemical warfare agent incidents. Effective April 5, 2001, the Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) for Gulf War Illnesses, Medical Readiness, and Military Deployments assumed continued responsibility for Gulf War issues.

To inform the public about the progress of its efforts, the Department of Defense publishes on the Internet and elsewhere accounts that may contribute to the discussion of the health of deployed personnel, along with documentary evidence or personal testimony used in compiling the accounts. This information paper will aid in understanding potential health threats posed by the deployment conditions in the Balkans.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I.  SUMMARY
 
II. BACKGROUND
 
III. WHAT IS DEPLETED URANIUM AND HOW WAS IT USED IN THE BALKANS?
 
IV. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS IN THE BALKANS
 
V. MEDICAL ASSESSMENTS OF BALKANS VETERANS
 
VI. CONCLUSIONS
 
TAB A – Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Glossary
 
TAB B – Bibliography
 
TAB C – Chronology of Environmental Sampling in the Balkans
 
TAB D – United Nations Environment Programme Report on Depleted Uranium in Kosovo
 
TAB E – Report of the World Health Organization Depleted Uranium Mission to Kosovo
 
TAB F – World Health Organization Depleted Uranium Monograph: "Depleted Uranium Sources, Exposure and Health Effects"
 
TAB G – European Commission Report: "The Opinion of the Group of Experts Established According to Article 31 of the Euratom Treaty; Depleted Uranium"
 
TAB H – UK Royal Society Report: "The Health Hazards of Depleted Uranium Munitions, Part 1"
 
END NOTES


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