MN closer to passing Uranium poisoning Test for Troops and Veterans

Several of members of Minnesota Veterans for Peace, Chapter #27, along with other committed peace activists, from Alliant Action have succeed in the effort noted in today's Star Tribune. (Minneapolis paper)


The bill's senate author, Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes, is a Chapter #27 active member and activist.


Uranium tests for veterans proposed
A Senate committee OK'd a bill providing for testing veterans to see if dust from spent-uranium munitions has harmed them.
By Pat Doyle, Star Tribune

Last updated April 10, 2007
The shells vaporize on impact and spread a uranium dust that some veterans of recent wars suspect has left them with cancers, respiratory disease or kidney problems.

Though studies have not clearly established a risk of battlefield contamination, the Legislature is advancing bills that would provide sophisticated testing of veterans for exposure to the powder in the 1991 Gulf War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A Senate panel on Tuesday approved a proposal to spend $1 million to test more than 800 veterans for exposure to depleted uranium, which the U.S. military has used to harden shells and other munitions for piercing armor.

The legislation puts Minnesota at the forefront of a gradual movement by states -- whose National Guard members and reservists have contributed heavily to the wars -- to improve testing for uranium and determine its long-term consequences.

While critics say proponents have failed to make a convincing case for more testing, advocates liken their campaign to early efforts to learn about the effects of defoliants on soldiers in Vietnam.

"Exposure to depleted uranium may well be the Agent Orange of the Iraqi wars," David Francis, a retired Navy officer who served on nuclear submarines, told the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Veterans. "When we send our men and women into war ... we have a sacred obligation to provide the best possible health care for them when they come home."

The state House is advancing a similar proposal to fund sophisticated testing of veterans who feel they are suffering health problems resulting from exposure to depleted uranium.

National study in 2000

The substance is a byproduct of the processing of uranium for nuclear power and weapons, and the military has used the leftover uranium to strengthen munitions. While it is far less radioactive than uranium in its natural state, there have been persistent fears that inhaled or otherwise ingested, depleted uranium dust can cause serious health problems.

The National Academies in 2000 studied depleted uranium and Gulf War veterans and said there was insufficient evidence to link it to lymphatic or bone cancer, noncancerous respiratory disease, and illnesses of the nervous system and liver.

But the academies recommended more study and is conducting one now that is expected to be finished in September.

Proponents of sophisticated testing say an existing test used by the federal government is inadequate for detecting toxic levels of depleted uranium and not always readily available to veterans. They argue that states need to take the initiative in behalf of returning National Guard members and reservists. Connecticut and Louisiana have already passed such legislation.

Some want medical testimony

But Michael Pugliese, deputy commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, told the Senate committee that supporters failed to provide rigorous medical testimony for why better testing is needed.

"We don't have any experts here," Pugliese said, adding that the Veterans Affairs Department assured him that it relied on experts to develop the test it uses.

He added in an interview that the Pawlenty administration probably wouldn't support the legislation unless there was strong evidence the new testing is better than the existing federal testing and treatment.

It was a concern shared by Sen. Steve Dille, R-Dassel, who wanted to hear from health experts on the necessity for Minnesota to spend money for testing. An earlier version of the proposal called for spending $3 million.

"I need more information," Dille said. "It would be helpful to me, if we're going to do this, if there was a health-care professional ... who could advocate for this."

The proposal's author, Sharon Erickson Ropes, DFL-Winona, replied: "We're never going to know what problems we have unless we can test." But she said adequate testing will be resisted without proof that depleted uranium has adverse health effects.

"Don't wait for scientific certainty," added Francis, who ran unsuccessfully for the state Senate last year as a DFLer. "The health risk of Agent Orange and second-hand smoke were ignored far too long, and people died. Do not rely on the federal government or the Department of Defense."

The Senate Agriculture and Veterans Committee sent the proposal to the Senate Finance Committee.

Pat Doyle * 651-222-1210 * pdoyle@startribune.com

This is REALLY important.

I am so tired of hearing that an issue needs further study before funding. bush did this with global warming. That "concerned" Senator may desire that further HONEST study not be done. I can not know that but the "R" next to his name leaves me unconvinced about his motives. I have NO problems understanding that DU Oxide poisoning is the Agent Orange of our times. I believe that there are plenty enough studies already completed which show the horrible effects that DU Oxide causes on human anatomy. The time for further "study" before funding treatments and cleanup is long overdue. Senator Dille may be deliberately foot-dragging.

To ALL naysayers: Do the online research, look at BOTH sides of the research then ask yourself this: Would I let MY loved ones handle depleted uranium oxide? I suspect the good Senator would stop short of letting any of his loved ones handle this material...he likely knows good and damned well how bad this stuff is....further research by a health care professional my ass!

I am pleased to see that there is progress here at any rate and strongly urge the bills passage.

I hope many this so this can happen in all states.

btw: We in Washington state have Senator Jim McDermott, a Democrat who is fully aware of the issue. He is where I first heard about DU poisoning from back prior to this fiasco in Iraq. He has a medical background and has studied this now for years. He was labeled Baghdad Jim because he went over just prior to the war. He returned and reported to the American public a great deal about how depleted uranium poisoning has affected the babies being born over in Iraq. He seems to be around a lot of DU related bills which try to make it through congress. I would not be surprised if he is a cosponsor on this one as well.