Written answers
Thursday, 16 November 2006
Department of Defence
Health and Safety Regulations
5:00 pm
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Defence if Irish troops returning from duty in the Balkans are still being tested for the effects of radiation from depleted uranium used in anti-tank shells during the Balkan conflict; the results of previous testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38113/06]
Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Surveys were conducted by the Defence Forces in the Balkans in 2001. These surveys demonstrated that there was no increase in the background radiation levels in the work environment of the Defence Forces in the Balkans.
A policy of conducting biochemical, haematological and urinalysis tests as part of the in-theatre pre-repatriation medical examination of troops serving in the Balkans and Kuwait was initiated in February 2001. The results of these tests have not demonstrated any variance from the normal pattern and range of findings in similar military populations in Ireland and in 2006 were discontinued as part of the routine pre-repatriation medical examinations.
However, tests similar to those previously conducted with the Balkans pre-repatriation medical examinations are conducted as part of the Annual Medical examination which each member of the Defence Forces is required to undergo for the purpose of health review and medical classification.
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