BUDAPEST (Beta) - The Budapest daily "Nepsabadsag" (sp?) has acquired a NATO document which gives handling instructions for depleted uranium bullets and indicates possible dangers for human health as a result of the use of such ammunition.

In the document published by the Hungarian daily it is stated that depleted uranium bullets may represent a hazard at a distance of one meter and if they are handled without gloves.

"X-rays and gamma rays will always be present proximate to the depleted uranium bullet but most probably will not exceed ten times the amount of their normal value in nature," it is written in the NATO document and added that depleted uranium also releases trace amounts of alpha and beta particles.

Because of this NATO recommends that while handing such bullets, persons wear gloves and limit the time spent in proximity to such ammunition.

It is emphasized in the document that such ammunition becomes dangerous upon detonation or combustion because in these instances depleted uranium becomes airborne.

It is stated that a risk to human health exists only in the case of inhaling smoke containing uranium oxide but added that uranium dust can be dangerous for plans and animals and, through them, enter into human food.

The NATO document states that damage to the respiratory organs can result from inhaling depleted uranium.

According to NATO information, depleted uranium is extremely slow acting but it cannot be excluded that it may cause lung cancer in a period of 10 to 30 years after inhaling air where it is present.

The document concludes that it is essential to undertake measures for decontamination of land contaminated by uranium in order to remove its possible negative consequences.

Translated by S. Lazovic (January 6, 2001)