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A copy of this was sent to my local newspaper, The Staten Island Advance.
Regards, Debra Anderson
Feb. 2006
Our National Guard Soldiers are being exposed to Radioactive Depleted
Uranium
Since 1991, the U.S. has deployed artillery and tank munitions made from
radioactive depleted uranium, exposing countless civilians plus U.S.
Soldiers to excessive radiation. It is used in projectiles and built into
vehicles such as armored tanks. The word depleted is a misnomer, it is a
radioactive poison and can be harmful to the human body when inhaled, skin
contact or ingestion. Most exposure is due to inhalation of dust particles
so small, 0.5 to 2 micron (1/1000 of a millimeter) they are able to pass
through the most sophisticated respirators, so there is no protection
available. Once it is in the lungs, it stays there. Particles can travel
anywhere in the body causing high rates of cancer and birth defects. DU has
a half life of 4.5 billion years. The only protection is to stop its use and
clean it up!
When a Depleted Uranium Projectile hits its object it burns up and releases
DU particles into the air. Even if troops aren't close to the blast these
particles are carried downwind and inhaled by innocent troops and Iraqi
civilians.
"Depleted Uranium is the Agent Orange of this War" More than half Gulf War I
vets are suffering undefined illnesses and over 10,000 have died from
mysterious causes at early ages. Spc. Gerard Matthews who served in
Operation Iraqi Freedom became very sick while in Iraq. His wife became
pregnant soon after and gave birth to a daughter with severe hand anomalies
(those seen in babies born in Iraq) Gerard was one of 10 National Guard
soldiers tested with the help of Juan Gonzalez of the Daily News.
According to the US Army Environmental Policy Institute- If DU enters the
body, it has the potential to generate significant medical consequences.
Our Soldiers serving in war have done so in service to our country.
Shouldn't we do what is necessary to protect them now? Please educate others
and get involved by contacting your state representatives and senators and
ask for a testing/care/registry law and Task Force for our National Guard
Soldiers. They are only in place for Connecticut, Louisiana and bill #A-9116
is being proposed for NYS.
Debra Anderson
Military Families Speak Out and
Member of NO DU Coalition
stopthewar04@gmail.com
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