We don’t use DU: Defence
Blowin’ in the Wind documentary full of hot air

DEFENCE has categorically rejected recent media and interest group claims that it is currently using depleted uranium (DU) munitions in Australia.

The Assistant Secretary, Technical and Facilities Services, John Diercks, said DU munitions had not been used and would not be used at Lancelin, the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) or any other Defence training area in Australia, either by the ADF or foreign military participants.

No DU had been used during the recent exercise Talisman Sabre 05 with the US armed forces at SWBTA.

“Media reporting over the last few years has drawn a wide and generally inaccurate and sensationalist net over the issue,” Mr Diercks said.

“Included in its reporting are allegations that personnel and civilians are deliberately placed at risk, that the military has conducted no real research or studies into DU or personnel who may have been affected and that the military and governments are engaged in an active policy of obfuscation, lies and deceit over the issue.”

This negative publicity included a recently-released documentary, Blowin’ in the Wind, by film-maker David Bradbury, which, in addition to examining DU and its alleged employment by the US, alleged that it was used at the training areas and had placed the local environment, tourist industry, commerce and residents at serious risk. Mr Bradbury’s film also alleged that ADF personnel in Al Muthanna in southern Iraq were at serious risk from depleted uranium left over from the first Gulf War.

Mr Diercks said that Defence enforced strict procedures to prevent the use of DU munitions on Australian Defence training areas.

“The United States Pacific Command adheres strictly to the US military policy prohibiting peacetime use of depleted uranium ammunition and has reiterated to Australian authorities that they comply with local government policies during exercises and visits,” he said.

“Defence takes seriously its responsibility to protecting the natural environment – something that is clearly reflected in the ongoing careful management of Defence training areas.

“Environmental monitoring is undertaken by experienced environmental consultants to ensure the areas remain viable and sustainable.

“When there is a significant risk that a particular Defence activity may have caused unanticipated contamination of land, then Defence takes appropriate action to remediate the contamination.”

The acting Head of Defence Health Services, Brig Tony Gill said the issue of ADF personnel serving in Iraq having contact with residual depleted uranium ammunition had been thoroughly investigated by environmental and health experts and the risk of exposure was considered to be very low.

In addition, deployed personnel were offered screening for possible exposure to depleted uranium.

“To date, all test results have been normal,” he said.

Brig Gill said scientific research concluded that DU at the levels found in an operational environment would not pose a significant health hazard except in the case of inhalation of large amounts of finely divided DU in dust, such as during an attack deploying weapons using depleted uranium penetrators or by personnel recovering armoured and other vehicles damaged by hits from DU munitions.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, UN Environment Program, World Health Organisation, UN Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, British Royal Society and other agencies based these conclusions on all the available evidence from years of extensive and detailed research.

A detailed risk assessment of depleted uranium ammunition can be found at the ADF Health web site at http://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/dhs/infocentre/publications/journals/NoIDs/adfhealth_apr03/contents_0403.html

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