Depleted uranium in Kosovo: an assessment of potential exposure for aid workers

Health Physics
David R Meddings, Max Haldimann

Abstract

During the Kosovo conflict approximately 11 tons of depleted uranium munitions were used against armored targets, predominantly in the west. Potential exposure to uranium amongst employees of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in western Kosovo was assessed. Individuals (n = 31) who had resided at least 3 mo in western Kosovo provided 24-h urine collections and completed an administered questionnaire. Specimens were analyzed for creatinine concentration, and uranium concentration was determined using inductively coupled mass spectrometry. Subjects ranged in age from 22 to 45 y, and 77% were male. Mean duration of residency was 11 mo, and 14 individuals were in western Kosovo throughout the hostilities. Almost three quarters of subjects reported seeing destroyed tanks or vehicles, predominantly while passing by within a vehicle. Two individuals spent time within 50 m of a destroyed tank or vehicle while outside of a vehicle. Urinary uranium concentrations ranged from 3.5 to 26.9 ng of uranium per liter of urine (median 8.9 ng L(-)). Creatinine normalized values ranged from 2.9 to 21.1 ng of uranium per gram of creatinine (median 7.4 ng g(-1) creatinine). These results fall toward the lower end of urinary urani...Continue Reading

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Citations

Dec 18, 2007·Radiation Protection Dosimetry·M BahtijariI Kobal
Jul 13, 2006·Health Physics·Sergei TolmachevHiroshi Noguchi
Jul 11, 2006·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Wayne E Briner
Sep 21, 2013·Radiation Protection Dosimetry·G NafeziM Kuqali
Jan 12, 2008·International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health·Petra Krystek, Rob Ritsema

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