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* * *Depleted uranium information ‘fiction’
From William Reid
Cave JunctionWebster’s Dictionary defines fiction “as a making up of imaginary happenings.” Kristine Strohl in a letter to the editor last week wrote a masterful piece of fiction concerning depleted uranium.
Fact: Depleted uranium (DU) is approximately 40 percent less radioactive than natural uranium. DU emits alpha and beta particles and gamma rays. Alpha particles, the primary radiation type produced by DU are blocked by the skin, while beta particles are blocked by clothing.
Gamma rays emitted by DU are very low. When fired or after “cooking off” in fires or explosions, the exposed DU rod poses an extremely low radiological threat as long as it remains outside the body. Taken into the body via metal fragments or dust-like particles, DU may pose a long-term health hazard if the amount is large.
A 120mm cannon shell as used in the M1 tank contains approximately 5 kg of DU in the penetrator rod while the 30mm A-10 anti-tank round contains approximately 0.3 kg of DU. The impact of DU ammunition against a hard target creates a fine DU dust that contaminates the impact site, though small amounts of DU dust drift downwind.
Test data demonstrate that normally, approximately 20 percent of a DU penetrator is aerosolized on impact with a tank. The impact of one 120mm DU tank round could therefore create approximately 950 g of DU dust. During a single attack by an A-10 aircraft shooting a burst of 30mm ammunition, between five and 16 DU bullets will likely hit the target creating 300 to 960 g of aerosol.
In the last gulf war, aircraft accounted for approximately 86 percent (by weight) of the DU shot. A strafing attack from an aircraft typically results in few DU rounds (5-10 percent) hitting the target. Tank rounds accounted for approximately 14 percent (by weight) of the total DU released, but more than half this quantity was shot on practice ranges in Saudi Arabia.
In combat, 80 to 90 percent of the tank rounds fired will hit the target and remain in or near it. Rounds that hit a soft target or the ground tend to stay intact or break into a few large fragments.
In the absence of evidence to the contrary, it is plausible that considerably more than 80 percent (by weight) of the DU shot during the war did not hit a hard target, thereby minimizing the creation of respirable-size DU dust and reducing the immediate post-war health risks posed by DU in Kuwait and Iraq. Approximately 286,233 kg of DU was used during the 1991 Gulf War.
In the current Iraq war the military estimates that 300,000 rounds of 30mm anti-tank ammunition was expended. With a standard 5-to-1 mix, then approximately 75 tons of DU was used.
The voluntary Veterans Affairs DU Medical Follow-up Program is an important source for identifying potential untoward health effects in friendly fire victims who have retained DU fragments. Approximately a quarter of the more than 60 level 1 exposed individuals who have been evaluated still carry DU fragments in their bodies, and they have elevated levels of urinary uranium nine years after the Gulf War.
The present health status of this group shows that they have not developed kidney abnormalities, leukemia, bone or lung cancer, or any classical uranium-related adverse outcome.
For male, active-duty military personnel in the U.S. military, the average frequencies of hospitalization for malignant disease are: leukemia (all types) two per 100,000 per year; and all cancer, 60 per 100,000 per year.
Lueren Moret, the scientist Strohl quoted in her letter claims “11,000 troops have died from DU poisoning, and 518,739 more veterans have been added to the permanently disabled list from out current war contaminated with DU poisoning.” These figures have no basis in fact.
As of 2004 we had slightly more than 500,000 total in the Army and 1.4 million military on active duty. By her numbers everyone in the Army is permanently disabled!
As far as Moret’s credentials as a scientist on radiation issues, she is sadly lacking. She earned a bachelor of science degree in geology and a master’s degree in Eastern studies. She worked two years at Livermore Labs, quitting in 1991. In the past she has been caught making false claims on DU-caused birth defects in children of Mississippi National Guard members.
This false claims was made years after the Center for Disease Control (CDC) had investigated the issue and found it not true.
There are many uncertainties about the use and effects of DU munitions, but the growing body of scientific research points to the conclusion that the use of DU munitions creates environmental contamination that can affect the health of people. The most prudent course of action for Kristine Strohl is to press for scientific studies, and not science fiction.
Dr. Joe, staff, others noted for compassion
From Amy and Jerry Schell-Lapora
Cave JunctionOn Wednesday, Nov. 29 my husband and I were on Hwy. 199 between Selma and Kerby, when two dogs ran onto the road.
One dog made it across the road -- the other was struck by a car. The poor people driving the car that hit the dog had no chance to react. The dog was very hurt, but he was still alive.
The dog was very sweet and responsive to our care. My husband and I drove him to Dr. Joe’s Pet Hospital. Dr. Joe Hoelzle, Jay and Kim showed their kindness, professionalism and dedication.
They put their hearts into saving the dog. They acted quickly to provide emergency care. We are fortunate to have people who care so much for the animals of our community. We appreciate their efforts. Unfortunately the dog didn’t survive his injuries.
We also want to note the kind customers in Dr. Joe’s office for their support and patience. As well, the caring woman who pitched in to pay for the care the dog received and the woman who stopped on the highway and helped move the dog off the road.
Everyone was hoping that poor dog would make it.
None of us knew the dog before; yet we were all affected by him, and we all put our hearts into caring for him. Amid such a horrible experience, it was reassuring to be surrounded by the kindness of our community.
Pet-owners should not allow them to run free where they may encounter dangers. It is their job to ensure pet safety. No one, pet or person, should have to go through such a terrible experience. People need to be responsible -- for their pets and the community.
‘The shame of it all’ due to administration
From Darlene Kirby
Cave JunctionThe Baker-Hamilton Iraq Study Report has finally come out. Jim Baker and others have had all the information since last April, but didn’t want to release it before the election.
Today appears to be the beginning of the end. The end of what? I keep asking myself. The end of the American dream the founders of these United States fought for and worked so hard to secure for all of us?
The end of a war so heinous in its inception and reeking of lies, corruption, and greed that it sickens me to think about what some men will do to others for power and monetary gain?
The murders of thousands of Iraquis to satisfy their lust for oil revenues. Their lust for power over those who couldn’t stand up to our military might and who laid down what arms they had thinking this administration was coming to save them from a ruthless dictator. Iraqis who now find themselves worse off than ever before.
Instead of going into Baghdad to serve the poor, we left the poor to fend for themselves, and have instead built a “Green Zone” for ourselves for our comfort with air conditioning, treated water and sewer systems that carry waste away from the streets.
The citizens of Baghdad are left with nothing. They have no electricity for air conditioning in 120-plus degree heat, no heat in the cold, no treated water and have raw sewage running in the streets that they have to walk through to reach home.
They have no jobs. We have given the majority of jobs to private contractors in no-bid deals that only benefit the rich like Halliburton, KBR, Bechtol, Blackwater Security and several others.
What are the Iraqi people to do but fight for survival? They have lost hope, and anger opens old wounds. Before we knew it, tribal, ethnic and religious differences grew out of control. People who have lived and married into each other’s families for more than 30 years are now killing one another, and many of our brave military as well.
We have become the axis of evil. We have become the tyrants. We have become the occupiers. We are building a Vatican-style 100-acre embassy compound in Iraq vs. the usual 10 acres in other countries. We are building four to five military bases, and we say we don’t want to be occupiers. Where is the truth? Where is the logic?
Now we are told we should train the Iraqi troops to take our place. How? Our trainers don’t speak the language. The Iraqis don’t trust us. We don’t trust the Iraqis enough to arm them. Perhaps what we need to do is give them jobs and the money that goes with the jobs to support their families and in the process give them hope and renew their confidence in us.
Let the Iraqis take back their country through the rebuilding of their infrastructure and their cities. It’s time we tried a new tactic like winning their hearts and minds through compassion and kindness.
It’s obvious that bombs and bullets aren’t getting the job done. Instead of arming them and training anymore of them to kill, let them enjoy self-esteem and pride while rebuilding what we have torn down.
This war of choice has become an absolute disaster for the world. Our brave military has been betrayed by this administration. All of America has been betrayed. The shame of it all.
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