[R-G] COLLATERAL DAMAGE - DEPLETED URANIUM DISASTER IN AFGHANISTAN

[Nicholas Morcinek]

DAVEY GARLAND, COASTAL POST - A startling new report based on research
in Afghanistan indicates the likelihood of large numbers of the
population being exposed to uranium dust and debris. Two scientific
study teams were sent to Afghanistan in the aftermath of the conflict in
2001-02. The first arrived in last June, concentrating on the Jalalabad
region. The second arrived four months later, broadening the study to
include the capital Kabul, which has a population of nearly 3.5 million
people. The city itself contains the highest recorded number of fixed
targets during Operation Enduring Freedom. For the study's purposes, the
vicinity of three major bomb sites were examined.

The team was unprepared for the shock of its findings, which indicated
in both Jalalabad and Kabul, DU was possibly causing the high levels of
illness but also high concentrations of non-depleted uranium. Tests
taken from a number of Jalalabad subjects showed concentrations 400% to
2000% above that for normal populations, amounts which have not been
recorded in civilian studies before.

Those in Kabul who were directly exposed to US-British precision bombing
showed extreme signs of contamination, consistent with uranium exposure
and with some types of chemical or biological weaponry. These included
pains in joints, back/kidney pain, muscle weakness, memory problems and
confusion and disorientation. Many of these symptoms are found in Gulf
War and Balkans veterans and civilians. Those exposed to the bombing
report symptoms of flu-type illnesses, bleeding, runny noses and
blood-stained mucous.

The study team itself complained of similar symptoms during their stay.
Most of these symptoms last for days or months. The team also conducted
a preliminary sample examination of new-born infants, discovering that
at least 25% may be suffering from congenital and post-natal health
problems that could be associated with uranium contamination. These
include undeveloped muscles, large head in comparison to body size, skin
rashes and infant lethargy. Considering that the children had access to
sufficient levels of nutrition, the symptoms could not be due to
malnourishment.

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