LONDON, Jan 5 (AFP) - The British government came under pressure on Friday to explain the effects of NATO's depleted uranium projectiles after it emerged that a British soldier had become ill after serving in the Balkans where the controversial weaponry was used.

Kevin Rudland, 41, formerly of the Royal Engineers, served a six-month tour of duty in Bosnia in 1996 after which he developed osteoarthritis and tooth cavities, suffered from stress, lost hair and had to undergo psychiatric treatment.

"I think I'm owed an explanation for my benefit and that of other servicemen and women," he commented.

"This is a big problem that they've got and they need to look into it quickly," he added. "I may be the first in this country at the moment but I believe there are more that have not come forward or do not know yet."

European ministers called on Thursday for an urgent inquiry into NATO's use of the weapons and the suspected health risks.

So far eight Italian soldiers or civilians have died of leukemia after serving in the Balkans, while the Belgian army reported five fatal cancer cases.

British medicinal chemistry expert Professor Malcolm Hooper of Sunderland University complained of what he alleged was British government inaction compared to other countries.

"It is resisting any attempt to do any sensible and meaningful experiments which would address this question," he charged.

Britain's defence ministry said the British army had not deployed the weapon in question.

A spokesman said: "We are unaware of anything that shows depleted uranium has caused any ill health or death of people who served in Kosovo or Bosnia.

The ministry was awaiting the outcome of a special study by Britain's Royal Society, its top scientific body he said.

The depleted uranium shell was "a legitimate weapon to use. It's used against heavily armoured vehicles and it is a very important weapon."

The French defence ministry said Thursday it had detected four cases of leukemia in its Balkans veterans, while the Dutch army also announced several cases of the potentially fatal blood disorder.

In the Czech Republic, a military helicopter pilot died last year after suddenly being diagnosed with leukemia shortly after returning from duties in Bosnia, his squadron commander said, quoted by the daily Dnes newspaper.

A Hungarian woman said on Friday that her husband -- who served in Bosnia in 1999 -- had also died of leukemia.

Belgium, France, Italy and Portugal have all called on NATO this week to provide additional information on the DU projectiles and their potential health impact.

In the Muslim-Croat half of Bosnia, the health ministry said the number of cancer cases had risen between 1999 and 2000 from 152 per 100,000 people to 230, but said it could not confirm any linked with the so-called Balkans Syndrome.

NATO will provide Italy with a comprehensive report in response to fears that the deaths of eight Italians could be linked to the use of depleted uranium munitions in the Balkans, said Admiral Guido Venturoni, chairman of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's military committee.