April 5, 2005

BILL ADDRESSES VETS’ FEARS OF URANIUM AMMO

Gregory B. Hladky, Capitol Bureau Chief
New Haven Register

HARTFORD - Legislation to tackle the potential health problems faced by Connecticut veterans exposed to depleted uranium ammunition in recent wars were approved by the legislature’s Public Health Committee Monday. One of the bills, which gives veterans from this state a legal right to ask for proper testing and treatment for depleted uranium poisoning from the federal government was sent to the state House for action.

The panel also approved a second bill to create a state task force to study the potential health risks of depleted uranium and to track the health problems of Connecticut veterans. That measure was sent to the state Senate.

State Rep. Patricia Dillon, D-New Haven, said the issue of exposure to depleted uranium ammunition in the Persian Gulf War and the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan was raised by veterans who said the federal government wasn’t dealing with the situation.

Federal officials have repeatedly insisted that there is no serious health risk from routine exposure to depleted uranium, which is being used increasingly by U.S. military forces to enhance the effectiveness of armor-piercing ammunition.

However, U.S. officials for years also played down the health risks associated with the defoliant Agent Orange, which was used extensively during the Vietnam War and caused severe health problems for thousands of Vietnam veterans.

Some veterans insist that exposure to depleted uranium ammunition and contaminated debris is responsible for a slew of devastating illnesses.

Dillon said the bill she sponsored sets a standard for effective testing of veterans for depleted uranium poisoning and gives them "a right under state law" to have federal testing done.

© New Haven Register 2005