UNMIK/FR/020/01
Public Health"These scientific findings should alleviate any immediate anxiety that people living or working in Kosovo may have been experiencing," said UNEP Executive Director Klaus Töpfer. The UNEP team, consisting of 14 scientists from several countries, collected soil, water and vegetation samples and conducted smear tests on buildings, destroyed army vehicles and depleted uranium penetrator rounds at 11 different sites. Tests revealed that while low levels of radiation were detected in the immediate vicinity of points of impact and mild contamination from DU dust was measured near the target, corresponding radiological and chemical risks were insignificant. At the same time, DU still represents a health risk under certain circumstances. For example, putting a piece of shrapnel from a penetrator in close proximity to one's body, or into one's pocket, would lead to external beta radiation of the skin and to high local radiation doses after some weeks of continuous exposure. Ingestion of small amounts of soil from the point of impact of the weapon would lead to insignificant radiological risk, but from a biochemical point of view, the possible intake might be somewhat higher than the applicable health standard.
While the mission's findings are no cause for alarm, long term behaviour of DU in the environment is as yet unknown. Thus UNEP has recommended the removal of slightly radioactive used munitions from surface areas, decontaminating areas where feasible, and for the provision of information to the local population on precautions to be adopted if DU is found.
In conclusion, barring the ingestion of large amounts of DU or wearing it as jewellery, DU is not a significant threat to the health of Kosovars.
Note for Editors
The full document may be consulted online in English at http://www.unmik.org/. Albanian and Serbian versions can be provided.
For a selection of photographs, please contact Mr. Ky Chung at 038 504-604 ext. 5467
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