BERN, Jan 7 (AFP) - Switzerland will conduct health tests on 900 military personnel who served in the Balkans to ensure they have not been contaminated by depleted uranium, an army spokesman said on Sunday.

Munitions brought back by soldiers as souvenirs will also be controlled, said Felix Endrich, the spokesman for the army chief of staff.

On Thursday, the Swiss army said only the 153 soldiers stationed in Kosovo would be tested. A Swiss doctor said on Friday that the risks of contamination from depleted uranium munitions was negligeable and that no case had been reported so far.

The army's development and cooperation unit also said on Sunday that it would test civilian personnel who worked in the Balkans on a voluntary basis.

Depleted uranium emits low levels of radiation, and is so far only considered to be dangerous if it is inhaled or ingested. The material is used to penetrate armour and concrete bunkers because it is denser than other metals.

At least 18 Balkans veterans across Europe have died from cancers, most from leukemia, since serving there. No link has been established between their illness and depleted uranium munitions.