UK radiation jump blamed on Iraq shells
- From: alan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Alan)
- Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2006 12:28 +0000 (GMT Standard Time)
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0%2C%2C2087-2047373%2C00.html
RADIATION detectors in Britain recorded a fourfold increase in uranium levels in
the atmosphere after the ?shock and awe? bombing campaign against Iraq,
according to a report.
Environmental scientists who uncovered the figures through freedom of
information laws say it is evidence that depleted uranium from the shells was
carried by wind currents to Britain.
Government officials, however, say the sharp rise in uranium detected by
radiation monitors in Berkshire was a coincidence and probably came from local
sources.
The results from testing stations at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) in
Aldermaston and four other stations within a 10-mile radius were obtained by
Chris Busby, of Liverpool University?s department of human anatomy and cell
biology.
Each detector recorded a significant rise in uranium levels during the Gulf war
bombing campaign in March 2003. The reading from a park in Reading was high
enough for the Environment Agency to be alerted.
Busby, who has advised the government on radiation and is a founder of Green
Audit, the environmental consultancy, believes ?uranium aerosols? from Iraq were
widely dispersed in the atmosphere and blown across Europe.
?This research shows that rather than remaining near the target as claimed by
the military, depleted uranium weapons contaminate both locals and whole
populations hundreds to thousands of miles away,? he said.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) countered that it was ?unfeasible? depleted
uranium could have travelled so far. Radiation experts also said that other
environmental sources were more likely to blame.
The ?shock and awe? campaign was one of the most devastating assaults in modern
warfare. In the first 24-hour period more than 1,500 bombs and missiles were
dropped on Baghdad.
During the conflict A10 ?tankbuster? planes ? which use munitions containing
depleted uranium ? fired 300,000 rounds. The substance ? dubbed a ?silver
bullet? because of its ability to pierce heavy tank armour ? is controversial
because of its potential effect on human health. Critics say it is chemically
toxic and can cause cancer, and Iraqi doctors reported a marked rise in cancer
cases after it was used in the first Gulf conflict.
The American and British governments say depleted uranium is relatively
harmless, however. The Royal Society, the UK?s academy of science, has also said
the risk from depleted uranium is ?very low? for soldiers and people in a
conflict zone.
Busby?s report shows that within nine days of the start of the Iraq war on March
19, 2003, higher levels of uranium were picked up on five sites in Berkshire. On
two occasions, levels exceeded the threshold at which the Environment Agency
must be informed, though within safety limits. The report says weather
conditions over the war period showed a consistent flow of air from Iraq
northwards.
Brian Spratt, who chaired the Royal Society?s report, cast doubt on depleted
uranium as a source but said it could have come from natural uranium in the
massive amounts of soil kicked up by shock and awe.
Other experts said local environmental sources, such as a power station, were
more likely at fault. The Environment Agency said detectors at other sites did
not record a similar increase, which suggested a local source.
A MoD spokesman said the uranium was of a ?natural origin? and there was no
evidence that depleted uranium had reached Britain from Iraq.
http://www.bushflash.com/pl_lo.html
Alan
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