Afghan 'health link' to (depleted) uranium

[unhappycamper]

Doctors say there has been a rapid rise in infant health conditions


Afghan 'health link' to uranium
By Dawood Azami
One Planet, BBC World Service

Some scientists say the rise is linked to use of weapons containing depleted uranium (DU) by the US-led coalition that invaded the country in 2001.

A Canadian research group found very high levels of uranium in Afghans during tests just after the invasion.

A US forces spokesman denied its weapons were affecting the health of Afghans or the country's environment.

But claims made in the BBC World Service One Planet programme suggest the invasion may have left an unwelcome legacy for the country's environment and the health of its people.

Doctors in Kabul and Kandahar showed data indicating that the incidence of a number of health conditions, including birth defects, has doubled in under two years.


Rest of article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7373946.stm



uhc comment: Basra (Iraq) infant mortality rates went through the roof in 2004.

[Canuckistanian]

1. This is going to be a problem long after the Taliban are forgotten

Thanks, Bush. And I'm sure the Afghans thank you as well.

Asshole.

[PDJane]

2. Oh, yeah, right............

"The US military rejects claims that it used DU-containing bunker busters in Afghanistan.
It also denies allegations that the weapons it used in Afghanistan are affecting health and the environment.

"We don't use depleted uranium in Afghanistan; we don't have a requirement to use that," said Major Chris Belcher, spokesman for the coalition forces.

But he said such weapons might have been used in the past. "

The US used DU weapons in Afghanistan, and the military damn well knows it. Whether they continue to do so or not, the residue is there. The estimates run up to 800 tonnes of the stuff, but the military is intentionally vague.

It is a war crime.