Viequenses Ask for Depleted Uranium Tests

SOURCE: PuertoRicoWOW!, April 9th, 2004
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SAN JUAN (AP) – The recent controversy regarding soldiers alleging to have been contaminated in Iraq with depleted uranium has prompted the Committee for the Rescue & Development of Vieques to demand that the government test Viequenses for that specific pollutant.

At least two soldiers of Puerto Rico descent who are members of the New York National Guard stationed in Iraq have claimed to have been contaminated with depleted uranium found in U.S. armed forces’ weapons.

The U.S. Navy has confirmed the use of uranium capped bullets in the military practices it used to conduct in Vieques.

"The local Health Department has been completely negligent in not developing a comprehensive program to test our population for depleted uranium,” said committee spokeswoman Nilda Medina.

The group demanded that the Health Department conduct a study promised several years ago and to test for traces of heavy metals.

"We have no doubt that the high cancer rate among our people is directly related to bullets capped with depleted uranium and other toxic material accumulated here after decades of military training,” Medina said in a prepared statement.

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