Depleted Uranium Munitions: A Health Hazard to Soldiers and Civilians
Interview with Tara Thornton, executive director of the Military Toxics Project, conducted by Melinda Tuhus
Concern is growing over the health impact of depleted uranium (or DU) used in recent wars including Iraq, both on troops and on civilian populations in conflict zones. Despite little media attention devoted to the issue, the Military Toxics Project has been compiling data for many years about the affect of DU on civilian communities.
The Project works with people who suffer from elevated cancer rates and other health problems attributed to the DU production or contamination in their communities. The organization collaborates with veterans groups who are extremely concerned about the health effects on soldiers serving in areas where DU is used. Four of nine soldiers from a New York Army National Guard Unit recently returning from Iraq tested positive for DU contamination. The Toxics Project is working as part of an international effort to ban depleted uranium, which is currently used by 23 nations.
Between The Lines' Melinda Tuhus spoke with Tara Thornton, executive director of the Military Toxics Project, based in Lewiston, Maine. She discusses some of the health effects ascribed to DU, how communities are fighting back, and the efforts now underway in Congress and internationally to monitor its effects and halt production.
Contact the Military Toxics Project by calling (207) 783-5091 or visit their website at www.miltoxproj.org.
Related links:
"G.I.'s: Dust Made Us Ill," by Wil Cruza, Newsday, April 10, 2004
"Poisoned? Shocking report reveals local troops may be victims of America's high-tech weapons," by Juan Gonzalez, Daily News, April 3, 2004
"Inside camp of troubles," by Juan Gonzalez, Daily News, April 3, 2004
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