Exposure to depleted uranium on the battlefield may cause a doubling of the usual risk of death from lung cancer among a small group of soldiers in extreme circumstances, according to a Royal Society report published today (22 May). But the risks of leukaemias and other cancers from depleted uranium radiation are likely to be very low for all possible battlefield situations.

Professor Brian Spratt, chairman of the Royal Society working group that prepared the report, said: "There is limited information about the amounts of depleted uranium that soldiers have been exposed to on the battlefield. Without additional measurements, it is not possible to rule out a significantly increased risk of lung cancer among a small group of soldiers who may have been exposed to very high levels of depleted uranium in extreme situations."

He added: "Governments who wish to use depleted uranium weapons have a responsibility to understand the possible risks to their own soldiers, and to the soldiers and civilians within the countries where conflicts arise. It is essential that further information about exposures is obtained from the test firing of depleted uranium shells into armoured vehicles to find out if our worst case estimates are feasible.

"Monitoring must be carried out on the urine of veterans who might have been exposed to substantial amounts of depleted uranium in the Gulf or Balkans. There must also be new schemes set in place for improved and timely monitoring of depleted uranium in the urine of soldiers following future conflicts."

The report concludes that the highest levels of depleted uranium that are likely to occur on the battlefield would probably lead to an added risk of dying of lung cancer of 1 in 1000, but soldiers who survive inside a vehicle hit by a depleted uranium shell may experience a doubling in the lifetime risk. The added risk of leukaemias or other cancers caused by radiation from depleted uranium is likely to be less than about 5 in a million for all possible levels of exposure.

The report points out that although the handling of depleted uranium fragments for long periods could be dangerous, the biggest threat is posed by small particles of depleted uranium that might be inhaled after a shell hits a heavily armoured vehicle. Some of this dust could lodge in the lungs or be transported to the lymph nodes.

Studies should be continued into the health of veterans over several decades as the effects of radiation from depleted uranium would take a long time to be seen, the report recommends.

The report considers only the risks associated with radiation emitted by depleted uranium. A second report will be published later this year, dealing with the effect that depleted uranium might have on human health through chemical toxicity effects, and its long-term impact on the environment.

A public meeting about the findings of this first report will be held at the Royal Society in June.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. The Royal Society is an independent academy promoting the natural and applied sciences. Founded in 1660, the Society has three roles, as the UK academy of science, as a learned Society, and as a funding agency. It responds to individual demand with selection by merit, not by field. The Society's objectives are to: recognise excellence in science support leading-edge scientific research and its applications stimulate international interaction further the role of science, engineering and technology in society promote education and the public's understanding of science provide independent authoritative advice on matters relating to science, engineering and technology encourage research into the history of science

2. Further press copies of the report The health hazards of depleted uranium munitions: Part I, may be obtained from Bob Ward on 020-74512516, or may be found on the Royal Society's web site
http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk). http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/policy/du.htm

For further information contact:
Bob Ward
Press and Public Relations
The Royal Society, London
Tel: 020 7451 2516/2508