LOC12:52
09:52 GMT
GENEVA, May 23 (KUNA) -- Action of Citizens for the total Dismantling of
Nukes (ACDN) said Saturday that it has just produced a 33-page report
concluding that the presence of as much as 75 tons of depleted uranium in Gaza
soil is highly probable to the Israeli "Operation Cast Lead" offensive.
The operation took place between December 27, 2008 and January 18, 2009.
During the first few days, a Norwegian doctor doing humanitarian service in
the hospital at Shifa, Dr Mads Gilbert, denounced the presence of radioactive
matter, possibly depleted uranium, in the bodies of victims.
This accusation has now emerged with greater strength after several months
of investigation carried out in close liaison with the people concerned and
with the help of Jean-Francois Fechino, a consultant on diffuse pollution and
an expert accredited to the UN Environment (UNEP).
In April 2009, a four-person mission including Fechino, went to Gaza under
the auspices of the Arab Commission for Human Rights.
The samples of earth and dust that they brought back from Gaza were then
analysed by a specialist laboratory, which found in them elements of depleted
uranium (which is radioactive, carcinogenic, teratogenic), particles of cesium
(which is radioactive and carcinogenic), asbestos dust (which is
carcinogenic), volatile organic compounds (VOCs, which are fine particles
which endanger health, especially the health of children, asthmatics and old
people), phosphates (from oxidation of white phosphorus), tungsten (which is
carcinogenic), copper, aluminium oxide (which is carcinogenic), and thorium
oxide (ThO2, which is radioactive). (end)
hn.ema
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