THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA: POSITIONS ON THE EFFECTS OF THE USE
OF ARMAMENTS AND AMMUNITIONS CONTAINING DEPLETED URANIUM
The ammunitions containing depleted uranium (DU ammunition), manufactured in various calibres
and for various types of weapons and first used in the Gulf War of 1991, were also used in the NATO raids
on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1999 against targets in Kosovo and Metohija, Montenegro and
southern Serbia. The 30mm-calibre PGU-14B API type containing 298 grams of depleted uranium was fired
from a 7-barrel gun carried on A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft.
The major focus of the bombing campaign in which this type of weapons was used was in the area
of Prizren, Uroševac, Djakovica, Dečane and Djurakovac (Kosovo and Metohija), the municipalities of
Vranje, Bujanovac and Preševo (southern Serbia) and the Luštica peninsula (Montenegro). There is a
discrepancy in the number of targets quoted in the report submitted by NATO to the Panel of Experts on
Depleted Uranium in Geneva in 2000 at UNEP’s request and the data available to the Serbian military:
according to the latter, 85 locations were targeted in Kosovo in Metohija, 4 in southern Serbia and 1 in
Montenegro.
Depleted uranium (U-238) is a by-product of the fuel preparation for nuclear reactors and nuclear
weapons. A transuranic waste, it contains less U-235 isotope than natural uranium - hence its name. Only
the first 3 isotopes in the chain of decay beginning with U-238 are important for determining the radioactivity
of depleted uranium: thorium (Th-234), protactinium (Pa-234) and uranium (U-234). The U-238 isotope
emits alpha particles and gamma radiation, while its daughters Th-234 and Pa-234 emit beta particles and
gamma radiation. Depleted uranium, particularly its oxides, is a chemical and radiological toxin and no
method has been devised to reduce its toxicity in the human body.
The bursting of the bullet fitted with depleted uranium and the burning of a part of it upon impact on
a hard surface leads to the creation of particles and aerosols. If the impact is made at the right angle, the
ensuant temperature rises to over 1 000º C accounting for the burning/oxidation of a part of uranium; at an
impact on a soft surface (land) only a small fraction of the bullet is transformed into aerosols the large
particles of which are deposited at the place of the impact (within the range of 100 m), whereas the
remainder of the bullet penetrates the surface about 1m deep. Depending on weather conditions, the small
particles may be spread dozens of kilometres away, leading to radioactive contamination of large expanses
of soil and atmosphere.
The particles are entered into the human body either by inhalation or through the consumption of
food and water and are deposited in the lungs, kidneys, bones and the brains for years. Uranium is not
easily solved in water and bodily fluids, but its oxides are and may over time contaminate underground
waters and, through plants used as fodder and human food, animals and people.
In a report of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority it is, among others, said that depleted
uranium will be spread over the battlefield and round hit vehicles in various quantities and particle sizes,
from dust to full-size penetrators. People would be ill-advised to stay close to large quantities of depleted
uranium for a protracted period of time. Obviously, it would be important to warn the population not to collect
the metal and keep it at home. The report goes on to say that vehicle and soil contamination in some of the
affected areas may exceed expected limits and thus present an additional risk to decontamination teams
and the population.
DU ammunition affects the population even after the cessation of military operations as
contamination cannot be controlled and localized. It threatens the environment and may spread to adjacent
countries and regions. In a report of the Vinča Institute for Nuclear Science, Belgrade, it is said that
“[c]onsidering the speed and the number of rounds fired, as well as the probability of self–inflammation and
the amount of radiation exceeding that of natural uranium contained in the soil many hundred folds (1050Bq/kg), it can be concluded that the use of DU ammunition leads to contamination of the environment with
long-term consequences.”
The strength of the gamma-ray dose at the contact with the bullet of the DU ammunition used in
the raid against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1999 has been measured at 0.1 mGy/h; under the
International Basic Safety Standards for Protection against Iodizing Radiation published by the IAEA in
1996, the tested material belongs among radioactive material and its handling is subject to strict protection
measures.
X-rays with maximum energy of 90 KeV are used in medical diagnostic. With the median energy of
about 30 KeV, they are converted in the bodily tissue into a photo-electron that can pass only through 1.7
cells; the ionization along its trace can damage the genetic material in the nucleus of the cell. However, the
high-energy radiation from Pa-234 is much more penetrative and can damage a much greater number of
cells. According to results obtained in experiments, a 2.29 MeV beta particle emitted by Pa-234 may pass
through more than 500 cells.
As radioactive waste, DU ammunition must be stored in appropriate facilities. Decontamination of
contaminated locations is carried out either through excavation and removal of the soil, physical separation,
a chemical separation process or at-location stabilization. There does not appear to be much experience in
the world in this field today. Most often, except for at-location chemical stabilization, recourse is had to
excavation whereby the entire contaminated soil is excavated and stored in appropriate facilities or only a
part of it is dug up and replaced by pure earth.
The decontamination of locations contaminated with DU ammunition in southern Serbia has been
carried out by way of physical separation (Cf. Information).
The Republic of Serbia considers that the use of DU ammunition is a violation of the basic
principles of international humanitarian law because:
-
Depleted uranium is toxic and radioactive and, if taken into the human body, its particles have
a long-time negative effect on human health; indeed, they may affect man throughout his life.
The negative effect is noticeable in descendents, too. The use of the ammunition causes
unnecessary human suffering and excessive harm disproportionate to military objectives;
-
Spread of depleted uranium particles cannot be controlled or prevented, which affects civilian
population. DU ammunition, therefore, belongs among weapons of unselective mass
destruction;
-
Depleted uranium particles contaminate soil for thousands of years; and
-
Chemical activities of uranium oxides are a threat to the environment.
Accordingly,
1.
DU ammunition is a very dangerous radioactive material with primary and secondary
effects and poses a threat not only to military personnel in combat operations, but also to
civilian population, flora and fauna and the environment;
2.
Use of DU ammunition accounts for permanent contamination of living creatures, material
resources, edifices and the environment;
3.
Use of DU ammunition is inhuman; its military effects are disproportionate to its affliction
of, and consequences for, the living world and the environment;
4.
The contaminated soil must not be left unattended and must be decontaminated,
notwithstanding spiraling costs and inherent risks. Full decontamination, however, is
hardly possible;
5.
Serbia has acquired considerable experience and trained personnel in carrying out the
process of decontamination. The personnel may be contracted for similar assignments
elsewhere;
6.
Information on the effects of DU ammunition, as well as relevant resources and expert
assistance, should be made available to the affected countries; and
7.
Initiative should be launched to adopt a Convention against the production and use of DU
ammunition and on its destruction.
THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA: INFORMATION ON THE TARGETS IN THE TERRITORY
OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA (EXCLUDING KOSOVO AND METOHIJA) AGAINST WHICH
AMMUNITIONS CONTAINING DEPLETED URANIUM HAVE BEEN USED, DECONTAMINATION
MEASURES AND MEASURES TO BE TAKEN IN THE FORTHCOMING PERIOD
1.
Use of ammunitions containing depleted uranium (DU ammunition)
In addition to other ammunitions, DU ammunition (type API PGU-14/B) was used in NATO
raids on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1999. The ammunition was fired exclusively from
30mm GAU 8A Gatling gun carried on A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft.
The information about the number of bullets fired differs: 3 270 according to the NATO data against 3
000 – 5 000 estimated by the Serbian military (Cf. Table bellow).
NATO data
Serbian military data
Republic of Serbia
No. 5 (EM580880), 250 bullets
No. 6 (EM680996), number of bullets unknown
No. 7 (EM643964), number of bullets unknown
No. 33 (EM640960), 130 bullets
No. 38 (EM540821), 120 bullets
No. 41 (EM620945), 300 bullets
No. 42 (EM632934), 150 bullets
No. 46, 65 and 106 (EM625882), 2140 bullets
No. 108 (EM630878), number of bullets unknown
No. 112 (EM631852), 180 bullets
No data
Total of bullets fired: 3270
SUM TOTAL of bullets fired: 3270
2.
No contamination detected
No. 88 (village of Borovac – 1 and 2)
No contamination detected
No. 87 (village of Bratoselce)
No. 86 (village of Reljan)
No. 89 (Pljačkovica-Vranje)
Estimates of bullets firedČ 3 000-5 000
Actions taken by the Republic of Serbia (Serbian military) prior to the decontamination of
contaminated areas
All locations in Serbia, excluding Kosovo and Metohija, have been surveyed on the basis of NATO and
Serbian military data and four DU contaminated areas have been detected. Bullets, bullet fragments and
parts of bullet jackets, have been removed. The contaminated areas have been fenced off and warning and
prohibition signs have been put up. Soil samples have been analyzed and about 2 000 people who were in
or close to the affected areas have been medically examined. The affected soil at Cape Arza (Luštica
Peninsula in the Republic of Montenegro) has been decontaminated and the radioactive waste (remnants of
bullets and a small quantity of contaminated soil) has been stored at the Vinča Institute. Also, the control of
contamination of military technical assets hit by DU ammunition has been effected. Following the
deployment of the Joint Security Force (Serbian military) into the Ground Safety Zone, the locations in the
Zone (raid Nos. 5, 6, 7, 33, 38 and 42) which, according to NATO data, have been hit with DU ammunition,
have been surveyed and no presence of contamination has been established.
3. Soil decontamination
The decontamination of contaminated locations in southern Serbia was carried out between 2002 and
2007 in cooperation with expert teams from the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, Serbian
military and the Vinča Institute. The assignment was effected by highly professional and psychologically and
physically trained personnel who had undergone requisite medical examinations. It was financed by the
Ministry of the Environment of the Republic of Serbia.
The method of physical separation of contaminants has been used. Layers of soil were excavated and
dosimetrically checked to establish the presence of contaminants; bullets, bullet fragments and other
contaminating material, were removed when found. So was the contaminated soil. All the radioactive
material was properly packed and stored at the Vinča Institute. The method proved effective, but
necessitated the use of additional protection measures, which made the operation ever more physically
demanding.
Main indicators and results
Bratoselce, a village about 10 km northeast of Preševo:
treated in 2002 and 2003; the treatment lasted 135 work days. 0.54 ha treated and 324 bullets found
and removed
Works performed mechanically
Pljačkovica, about 4 km north of Vranje:
Treated from 25 July to 8 November 2004. 0.24 ha treated and 47 bullets found and removed
Due to the land configuration, works performed manually
Borovac – 1, about 6 km southwest of Bujanovac:
Treated from 8 August to 20 October 2005. 0.48 ha treated and 59 bullets found and removed. A
number of bullets were found outside the treated area, so that the initial project had to be expanded and
an additional 0.2 ha had to be treated
Works performed mechanically
Borovac – 2, about 6 km southwest of Bujanovac:
Treated from 15 October to 5 December 2005. 1.04 ha treated and 44 bullets and 0.2 m² of
contaminated soil found and removed
Works performed mechanically
Reljan, about 10 km east of Preševo:
Treated from 1 October to 6 December 2006 and from 25 April to 11 June 2007. 1.3 ha treated and 195
bullets and 3 m² of contaminated soil found and removed
Works performed mechanically
Results
Over the 5-year period, 4 locations presumed contaminated (Borovac 1 and 2 are considered one
location because of their vicinity) have been treated. 3.75 ha have been treated and 704 bullets with
depleted uranium have been found and removed.
4. Decontamination of assets
Two vehicles hit with DU ammunition have been found:
-
-
1 APC now parked in the Ravnjak military depot at Kruševac. Decontamination was carried out
in the region of operations in Kosovo and Metohija immediately after the vehicle was hit;
„embedded contamination” and bullet fragments inside the vehicle had been left behind. The
radioactive material has been stored at the Vinča Institute;
1 field vehicle. Parts with “embedded contamination” have been removed and stored at the
Vinča Institute.
5. Measures to be taken
The decontamination of the Borovac – 1 location signified the completion of the decontamination of all
locations known to be contaminated with DU ammunition in southern Serbia. No contamination has been
established at some other locations that figure in the data supplied by NATO. Bearing that in mind, as well
as the fact that NATO supplied no data on Pljačkovica above Vranje, the existence of contamination in other
areas should not be ruled out. Additonal and more accurate data should be requested in order to establish
the existence of contamination at some other locations and to undertake necessary decontamination
procedures.
Medical observation of persons threatened by exposure to DU ammunition has been discontinued as
financial resources dried up. It is very important, however, that the observation be resumed, in particular of
the 180 persons from the high-risk group directly exposed to DU ammunition effects at the distance of less
than 50 m, because of expert expectations that the consequences of the exposure may become evident in
the forthcoming period.
THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA: ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS OF THE USE
OF ARMAMENTS AND AMMUNITIONS CONTAINING DEPLETED URANIUM
In the bombing campaign against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia between March and June 1999,
the NATO forces used ammunitions containing depleted uranium (DU). The activities carried out from A-10
type aircraft were focused on Kosovo and Metohija and the municipalities of Vranje, Bujanovac and Preševo
in southern Serbia. Following the research carried out by units of the Serbian military equipped with antibiological and anti-chemical assets from 1999 to 2001, the following 4 DU-contaminated locations in
southern Serbia have been established:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Bratoselce, territory of the municipality of Bujanovac, 5400 m²;
Pljačkovica, territory of the municipality of Vranje, 2400 m²;
Borovac, territory of the municipality of Bujanovac, 16680 m²; and
Reljan, territory of the municipality of Preševo 13044 m²
The locations, 37 524 m² large, were treated by the experts of the Vinča Institute for Nuclear Science,
Belgrade, and the Serbian military. Bullets and bullet jackets containing depleted uranium, as well as
contaminated soil, have been removed, transported and properly stored at the Vinča Institute as radioactive
waste material. All decontamination operations have been financed by the Republic of Serbia.
Upon completion of the decontamination process, the locations and their environs have be placed
under continual radiation monitoring. The initial steps included the examination of the amount of radionucleids in the environment of the Republic of Serbia. No depleted uranium has been found in the earth and
drinking water samples taken from the treated soil and the water-supply system and wells in the relevant
areas. This has been evinced by the reports of the Dr. Dragomir Karajović Institute for Occupational
Medicine and Radiological Protection of the Hospital Centre of Serbia, assigned to examine the amount of
radio-nucleids in the environment under Article 6, paragraph 3, of the Law on the Protection against Ionizing
Radiation. Instituting a continual radiation monitoring of the treated locations and their environs is aimed at
ensuring long-term monitoring of possible leftover radioactive risks for the environment.
The Ministry of the Environment of the Republic of Serbia has had no knowledge that any of 85
locations registered in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija has been treated.