In response to a query by the Associated Press, Pentagon spokesman Marine Corps Lt. Col. Garron Garn said in a statement Thursday that “DOD has procured, stored, and used depleted uranium rounds for several decades, since these are a longstanding element of some conventional munitions.”
The rounds have “saved the lives of many service members in combat,” Garn said, adding that “other countries have long possessed depleted uranium rounds as well, including Russia.”
~ AP News https://apnews.com/article/depleted-uranium-ukraine-russia-tanks-a92a4784dfcbd1ff221813154b7f3a8e
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed it would provide Kyiv the armour-piercing rounds alongside Challenger 2 tanks but insisted they had a low radiation risk.
Depleted uranium "is a standard component and has nothing to do with nuclear weapons", the MoD said.
"The British Army has used depleted uranium in its armour piercing shells for decades," the statement added.
DU is less radioactive, mainly emitting alpha particles, which don't have enough energy to go through skin, so exposure to the outside of the body is not considered a serious hazard.~ Sky News https://news.sky.com/story/what-is-depleted-uranium-radiation-risks-explained-after-putins-warning-to-uk-over-tank-shells-for-ukraine-12840001
Regarding exposures to DU, there have been studies of the health of military personnel who saw action in the Gulf War (1990-1991) and during the Balkan conflicts (1994-99). A small number of Gulf war veterans have inoperable fragments of DU embedded in their bodies. They have been the subject of intense study and the results have been published. These veterans show elevated excretion levels of DU in urine but, so far, there have been no observable health effects due to DU in this group. There have also been epidemiological studies of the health of military personnel who saw action in conflicts where DU was used, comparing them with the health of personnel who were not in the war zones. The results of these studies have been published and the main conclusion is that the war veterans do show a small (i.e., not statistically significant) increase in mortality rates, but this excess is due to accidents rather than disease. This cannot be linked to any exposures to DU.
"Depleted" sounds like it's been used up and rendered harmless. Then, why the exponential rise in birth defects?
Even the IAEA is in on the fix. See this:
https://www.iaea.org/topics/spent-fuel-management/depleted-uranium
Regarding exposures to DU, there have been studies of the health of military personnel who saw action in the Gulf War (1990-1991) and during the Balkan conflicts (1994-99). A small number of Gulf war veterans have inoperable fragments of DU embedded in their bodies. They have been the subject of intense study and the results have been published. These veterans show elevated excretion levels of DU in urine but, so far, there have been no observable health effects due to DU in this group. There have also been epidemiological studies of the health of military personnel who saw action in conflicts where DU was used, comparing them with the health of personnel who were not in the war zones. The results of these studies have been published and the main conclusion is that the war veterans do show a small (i.e., not statistically significant) increase in mortality rates, but this excess is due to accidents rather than disease. This cannot be linked to any exposures to DU.
and this:
There have been a number of studies of workers exposed to uranium (see question 8) and, despite some workers being exposed to large amounts of uranium, there is no evidence that either natural uranium or DU is carcinogenic. This lack of evidence is seen even for lung cancer following inhalation of uranium. As a precaution for risk assessment and to set dose limits, DU is assumed to be potentially carcinogenic, but the lack of evidence for a definite cancer risk in studies over many decades is significant and should put the results of assessments in perspective.
As far as I'm aware, both paragraphs above are complete fabrications. The human results of DU have been given the Madison Avenue Tobacco Smoke Won't Hurt You and the Climate Change Is a Hoax treatment. "There's no evidence" that DU causes cancer. Of course not, if you fund the studies and instruct that any findings to the contrary must be shown to be "inconclusive". "There's no evidence" of harm to reproduction, not if you fund studies on male sperm motillity rather than harm to the placenta and fetus. "There's no evidence", in other words, if you don't look for it and/or if you deliberately look elsewhere. I didn't realize how extensive the coverup is.
This organization is a bit more forthright: https://ieer.org/resource/factsheets/uranium-its-uses-and-hazards/
Institute for Energy and Environmental Research
The bulk of waste from the enrichment process is depleted uranium–so-called because most of the uranium-235 has been extracted from it. Depleted uranium has been used by the U.S. military to fabricate armor-piercing conventional weapons and tank armor plating. It was incorporated into these conventional weapons without informing armed forces personnel that depleted uranium is a radioactive material and without procedures for measuring doses to operating personnel.The enrichment process can also be reversed. Highly enriched uranium can be diluted, or “blended down” with depleted, natural, or very low-enriched uranium to produce 3 to 5 percent low-enriched reactor fuel. Uranium metal at various enrichments must be chemically processed so that it can be blended into a homogeneous material at one enrichment level. As a result, the health and environmental risks of blending are similar to those for uranium conversion and enrichment.
A new word to learn, and a study that disagrees with the approved studies: [Springer Nature/Environmental Health]
ResultsAnimal studies firmly support the possibility that DU is a teratogen. While the detailed pathways by which environmental DU can be internalized and reach reproductive cells are not yet fully elucidated, again, the evidence supports plausibility. To date, human epidemiological data include case examples, disease registry records, a case-control study and prospective longitudinal studies.
Teratogens are substances that may cause non-heritable birth defects via a toxic effect on an embryo or fetus.
Discussion
The two most significant challenges to establishing a causal pathway between (human) parental DU exposure and the birth of offspring with defects are: i) distinguishing the role of DU from that of exposure to other potential teratogens; ii) documentation on the individual level of extent of parental DU exposure. Studies that use biomarkers, none yet reported, can help address the latter challenge. Thoughtful triangulation of the results of multiple studies (epidemiological and other) of DU teratogenicity contributes to disentangling the roles of various potentially teratogenic parental exposures. This paper is just such an endeavor.Conclusion
In aggregate the human epidemiological evidence is consistent with increased risk of birth defects in offspring of persons exposed to DU.
This is from the University of Baltimore Law Review, Vol 25, Issue 2, Spring, 1996:
Gulf War Syndrome
E. Depleted Uranium
Depleted uranium releases radioactive uranium oxide particles upon impact." 5 Additionally, radiation experts state that depleted uranium "burns at extreme temperatures and creates an oxide dust that can be easily inhaled and ingested.1" 6 The Pentagon used depleted uranium to coat artillery shells to enable the shells to "smash through armor plate.""1'7 Depleted uranium was also used on the armor of American tanks during the war to protect them from enemy fire." ' Therefore, when soldiers were in the vicinity of shells from American artillery that hit their targets, or when soldiers were near American tanks which were hit by enemy fire, the troops could have inhaled radioactive uranium oxide particles. The inhaled particles
could possibly have caused their GWS. 119
Soldiers who came in contact with the depleted uranium soon began to show signs of GWS. For example, Sergeant Carol Picou was an active-duty Army nurse who, along with her squad, set upcamp two miles away from a battlefield contaminated by the depleted uranium shells fired by American tanks and helicopters. 120 After several weeks, Picou had lost all urinary control, could not keep food down, and "was passing black, tarry stools that Army doctors attributed to 'drinking too much water' and the change in diet."'' The theory that depleted uranium is a cause of GWS is further supported by the fact that many of the birth defects found in the children of Gulf War veterans "would be consistent with the effects of radiation from depleted uranium." 1 22
This article's figures show one of the physical effects of DU on the human body, both adult and child:
A search for "Depleted Uranium babies" under images will yield grotesque (but copyrighted) photos for those who have the stomach to look.
Finally, this 2003 study from the Nuclear Policy Research Institute (Dr. Helen Caldicott, board director):https://www.helencaldicott.com/depleted.pdf
I will end this commentary with an Article by Leo Hohmann from March of this year warning of the spread of these "weapons" to Ukraine. TLA will also bring further new information on bio-weapons lab projects in Ukraine and elsewhere which the DOD is preparing to "deploy".
The Ukraine War is a turning point, not because the US/NATO is losing but because their intent to use hideous weapons on people and environment is clear. Raise your voice against the madness in whatever way you can. ~ Ed.
NATO sending depleted uranium shells to Ukrainian military in major escalation
Leo Hohmann
Wed, 22 Mar 2023
Scottish Baroness Annabel Goldie, a conservative deputy minister of defense in the government of the United Kingdom, has confirmed that the U.K. will be sending depleted uranium shells to the Ukrainian military for use against Russian forces.
In response to a parliamentary crossbench question from Lord Hylton on March 20, Goldie stated:
"Alongside our granting of a squadron of Challenger 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine, we will be providing ammunition including armor-piercing rounds which contain depleted uranium. Such rounds are highly effective in defeating modern tanks and armored vehicles."
Depleted uranium is highly toxic to humans, leading to cancers, birth defects and other horrific outcomes. According to the journal Scientific American:
"Used as ammunition, it penetrates the thick steel encasing enemy tanks; used as armor, it protects troops against attack. And when it was used in the Gulf War and later during the Allied bombing of Yugoslavia and Kosovo, depleted uranium (DU) was hailed as the new silver bullet that would solve most of the military's problems. After the end of Operation Allied Force, however, several Italian soldiers were diagnosed with leukemia. Politicians and the media soon forged a link between the disease and depleted uranium use. They further drew a parallel with Gulf War Syndrome, and in no time, depleted uranium became the Agent Orange of the Balkan conflict."
This decision to send depleted uranium weapons to Ukraine did not go unnoticed by the Russians.
Vladimir Putin, while sitting next to Chinese dictator Xi Jinping during the two leaders' summit Tuesday in Moscow, noted the statement by Goldie and said if this decision is acted upon, then Russia considers this the introduction of "nuclear material" into the conflict and "will be forced to react accordingly, bearing in mind that the collective West has already started to use weapons with a nuclear component."
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova chimed in with the following statement:
"We consider the plans officially confirmed by the UK Department of Defense for the transfer of depleted uranium shells to Ukraine as a step fraught with a further escalation of the conflict. The British supply of weapons to Kiev, especially such sensitive species, leads to further destabilization of the situation and pushes the prospect of finding mutually acceptable interruptions. They are contrary to international law. The radioactivity, high toxicity and carcinogenicity of such weapons are well known. Among the consequences of using depleted uranium - the growth of oncological diseases among the population and the enormous environmental damage for the Ukrainian territory where it will be applied.
"The civilians of Serbia and Iraq, who still feel the impact of such actions, can tell about all of this. It is unlikely that the leadership of the UK itself, which was directly involved in these conflicts, forgot about it."
Biden administration spokesman John Kirby dismissed the Russian concerns about depleted uranium as "a straw man" and, like the U.S. government has always done, he denied there are any negative health effects of depleted uranium. To do otherwise would be to admit that the U.S. poisoned thousands of its own troops in Iraq, as well as the Iraqi people.
A 2019 study documented the devastating impacts of depleted uranium on Iraqi children born with birth defects.
The talks between Putin and Xi also prompted a swift rebuke from Washington.
Zero Hedge reports that the biggest takeaway from this meeting between the two "dear friends" was their pledging to shape a new world order and signing multiple pacts to that end on economic, technological, and strategic cooperation.
These were the words captured in a Reuters headline Wednesday: "China's President Xi Jinping and Russia's President Vladimir Putin set their sights on shaping a new world order as the Chinese leader left Moscow, having made no direct support for Putin's war in Ukraine during his two-day visit."
To say there was "no direct support for Putin's war in Ukraine" was disingenuous and presumptuous. We don't know what was said behind closed doors.
The most important exchange between the two leaders may have come during the sendoff before Xi headed to the airport. This was clearly intended for Washington's consumption and is the equivalent of Xi and Putin saying to Biden "chew on this."
For the record Xi Jinping said: "Change is coming that hasn't happened in 100 years and we are driving this change together."
Putin responded, "I agree."
Make of it what you will, but the message seemed pretty clear. The U.S.-dominated post-World War II rules-based order is now on life support and there's a new kid on the block ready to try out his wings. This world order, spanning 75 years, was based on the U.S. petrodollar being the world's reserve currency, backed up by the strong U.S. economy and brute military might. Now, a fully matured, newly emboldened China-Russia alliance is rising up and pledging to do everything in their power to replace the U.S.-UK led Atlantic alliance as the biggest, toughest bully on the block. The days when the U.S. set the rules and the rest of the world followed are over — most Americans just haven't been informed yet. And the likelihood of war coming to U.S. soil in the form of foreign troops is higher now than it's ever been since the War of 1812.
Comment: No, China and Russia are allying to respond to the biggest bully on the block - not to be the bullies.
Much of the fault for the U.S.'s demise, both economically and militarily, has to be laid at the feet of those who have been in control of the U.S. government for the last 60 years, but there is no doubt also a spiritual element to this transition to a new world order. America is a sinful society that has exported much filth and destruction to the nations in the form of abortion, pornography, humanistic values, etc., and it may just be that God has seen enough. He may use another wicked ruler to take us down.
Comment: Another wicked ruler? Xi? Putin? How about imperfect leaders who are willing to do what it takes to prevent their far from perfectly run respective countries from getting subjugated and oppressed by Washington?
If you look realistically at which entity has wielded the most control over the U.S. government since November 1963, there is no denying that it has been the CIA and related military-intelligence agencies.
Instead of focusing solely on national defense of the U.S. homeland and unbiased trade with all nations, the U.S. government operating under the influence of the empowered intel agencies chose to insert itself into the political and economic affairs of other countries, instigating revolutions and uprisings against leaders it didn't like. When political and economic pressure didn't work they often sent in troops, drones or manned aircraft to break that nation's will and overthrow the government.
If the U.S. had been focused on national defense instead of international meddling, it would have taken a fraction of the cost and burden on taxpayers. Being the world's policeman takes a lot more money than simply defending your home turf against foreign enemies.
As a result, there has been no country involved in as many wars and military operations against other nations as the U.S. over the past 75 years. America's very identity in the world over this period has been wrapped up in its military prowess, making it many enemies.
The only question left to be settled now is how will the U.S. government respond to these new challenges to its global hegemony, where arguably the two most formidable militaries in the world have teamed up against it? It's quickly running out of options to end the global uprising peacefully, but if there's any possibility left of that happening, I think most of us would agree the U.S. ought to seize that opportunity and avoid a Third World War, which has the potential to be more deadly than the first two world wars combined.
Author
Leo Hohmann is a veteran investigative reporter and author whose recent book, “Stealth Invasion” spent the majority of 2017 among Amazon.com’s top 10 books on immigration. He has spent decades researching and writing about education, immigration, crime, politics and religion. His articles have appeared at FrontPage Magazine, LifeSite News, Zero Hedge, the Drudge Report, Technocracy.News, Canada Free Press, Global Research, The Gateway Pundit, World Net Daily and many other websites and publications.
