Government plans to screen Balkan and Gulf war veterans for exposure to depleted uranium this week stirred lingering health fears of people living near the Great Hallingbury air crash site. But June Thompson, principal emergency planning officer with Essex County Council, reassured residents all was safe. "Information we have been given is that there is no need for concern, every precaution has been taken," she said.

Some 300kg of the depleted uranium, used as counterbalance bars in the tail of the doomed Korean Air jumbo were recovered after the December 1999 crash. But one weight of 21.9lbs (9.9kilos) remains unaccounted for.

"We don't know if it's on the site and if it is, it's not likely to be a problem," said Ms Thompson. Aviation experts have said because of the nature of the crash, no oxidation of the metal took place. Villagers have contacted parish council chairman Norman Mead. "It's renewed lurking fears that people have had about it," he said. "Landlord of the village's Hop Poles pub Peter Cullen felt residents who nobly rushed to the crash scene should now be tested. The Environment Agency still keeps the site under observation. Its spokeswoman said people had no reason to worry. The depleted uranium was in the tail which was not on fire. "It was not incinerated at all or damaged. Here it was used as a heavy metal. With anti-tank shells, it is used as a weapon and becomes toxic when ignited."