Study: U.S. used depleted uranium in Iraq's civilian areas

Study: U.S. used depleted uranium in Iraq's civilian areas

AMSTERDAM -- The U.S.-led forces used depleted uranium weapons in civilian populated areas during 2003 military campaign in Iraq, RT.com is quoting a study of a Dutch NGO.

The coordinates of several sites where some 10,000 depleted uranium rounds were used have been released for the first time by the Dutch Ministry of Defense, to be used in a study by Dutch peace group PAX.

The study claims that most rounds used by the U.S.-led coalition were used against non-armored targets in densely populated areas.

RT explained in its report that while depleted uranium primarily emits alpha radiation, some beta and gamma radiation is also present.

Inside the body alpha radiation can disrupt cellular process and damage DNA. Depleted uranium is also a heavy metal and chemically toxic.

According to the report, "large portion of firing coordinates still remain unknown, as more than 300,000 depleted uranium rounds are believed to have been fired by U.S.-led coalition," while PAX said that "the health risk of more than 440,000 kilograms of depleted uranium used by western forces remains unclear, as neither Coalition Forces nor the Iraqi government have supported health research into civilian exposure.”

“The use of depleted uranium against these targets questions the adherence of coalition forces to their own principles and guidelines. They should be held accountable for the consequences,” author of the report Wim Zwijnenburg said, citing Air Force Office of the Judge Advocate 1975 memo that "restricted the use of such ammunition."

“Use of this munition solely against personnel is prohibited if alternative weapons are available...