VIENNA, Jan 11 (AFP) -  The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) called Thursday for a "detailed survey" of sites where depleted uranium munitions were used and a study of people who came into contact with such arms.

IAEA Director General Mohamed El Baradei also recommended "precautionary measures" pending the results of such studies.

El Baradei said that, although depleted uranium (DU) is only "slightly radioactive," a survey needs to be carried out into exactly how people came into contact with it.

"It is essential to carefuly assess the impact of DU in the special circumstances in which it was used, e.g. to determine whether it was inhaled or ingested or whether fragments came into close contact with individuals.

"It is therefore essential ... that a detailed survey of the territory in which DU was used and of the people who came in contact with the depleted uranium in any form be carried out," he said in a statement.

"In the meantime it would be prudent ... to adopt precautionary measures" proposed by a mission of the UN Environment Programme to Kosovo last November. "Depending on the results of the survey further measures may be necessary," ElBaradei said.

Several European governments are furious about a spate of cancer cases, some fatal, among former Balkan peacekeepers and other personnel, which they said could be linked to DU munitions used in tank-busting attacks.