Depleted Uranium

17 January 2001

To:	All UN Personnel who have served or are serving in conflict areas where Depleted Uranium (DU) may have been used and for the information of all UN staff.
From:	Rafiah Salim, Assistant-Secretary-General for Human Resources Management

  

  

Recently, there have been numerous media reports that exposure to DU at levels found in former conflict areas may cause various health effects such as leukemia. At present, there is very little scientific evidence to suggest that there is a risk of contracting leukemia. Nevertheless, reports and medical evidence are being studied by NATO and expert working groups of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

UNEP has completed measurements of the presence of DU in selected areas of the Balkans. Samples at those sites have been collected by UNEP and the analysis of these samples will be available in March and will provide a more accurate assessment of risk.

Furthermore, the WHO has been reviewing scientific studies related to the health effects of exposure to uranium and DU for over a year with a view to providing factual, accurate and reliable information about this matter.

Precautionary guidelines, with regard to those areas in which DU has been used, have been developed by UNEP and are being implemented within the Kosovo mission area. In all locations where DU has been used it is recommended that under no circumstances should staff members handle any remnants of armaments.

The health of all UN personnel currently working in these areas and those who worked there in the past is of primary concern. The UN will, therefore, continue to closely monitor the situation and immediately issue medical advice to staff as appropriate. If staff feel that they need to be medically examined this could be undertaken through the Joint Medical Service or the UN Medical Service.

It is anticipated that the results of the WHO study will be available at the end of February 2001. We intend to review that report urgently and to take immediate and necessary action should it be required. The Organization will closely monitor the situation and any medical information which is forthcoming will be provided to those staff currently serving in the affected areas as well to those who have served there in the past.