WHO delegation in Iraq over depleted uranium issue

The director of the regional office of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Hussein al-Jazeiri said that a delegate representing the organization is currently visiting Iraq to collect necessary information on risks resulting from the use of depleted uranium shells and the extent of its link to the increase of cancer casualties rate.

In a statement he made in Abu Dhabi al-Jazeiri stressed that exposing to depleted uranium leads to diseases in blood cancer, lung diseases or kidney failure, according to the quality that exposed to and the period of exposition. He explained that part of this material remains in the soil and moves with the rains and pollutes the wells waters.

Meantime, the NY times reported on Jan 28 that "The cancer deaths of 24 European soldiers who served as peacekeepers in the Balkans and the illnesses reported by many others have stirred alarm in Europe."

The NY times report indicates that many researches are now reviewing their research on the use of depleted Uranium and its effect on humans. The report says that one of the main research scientists in the US claims to have been denied research material that may support his claim of the harm depleted Uranium causes.