thedrifter
11-20-03, 05:01 PM
Uranium contaminates base suits
November 20,2003
ERIC STEINKOPFF
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Two sets of protective suits contaminated by radiation in Kuwait are in a box at Camp Lejeune awaiting proper disposal, military officials said Wednesday.
The suits, used by troops for protection from nuclear, biological or chemical substances, were exposed to depleted uranium when troops were cleaning tanks during the war with Iraq. The gear, commonly called NBC suits in the military, were shipped to Lejeune in a box.
The radiation was detected by Marines from 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Force Service Group when the box was opened at Lejeune. How long and how many Marines were exposed to the radiation was not immediately reported. Military officials did not say when the box arrived at Lejeune or when it was opened.
There were no reported injuries.
Capt. Teresa Ovalle, a Camp Lejeune spokeswoman, said it was likely that the Marines knew the suits were possibly contaminated and took steps to protect themselves.
According to a release from Camp Lejeune Public Affairs, the Marines closed the box after finding a low level of Alpha radiation. The suits were returned to the box, and it was resealed to prevent any further contamination.
Alpha radiation cannot penetrate the skin, but can be harmful to humans if it is inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through open wounds, the release said.
Depleted uranium is used in some armor-piercing weapons and to strengthen some types of armor, but officials could not explain how or why the radioactive substance was present in sufficient strength to cause contamination.
"Appropriate steps are being taken to ensure the box is properly processed for disposal as regulations dictate," the release said. Military officials could not explain what those steps might be, how the suits would be disposed or what regulations govern such a situation.
Radiation detection specialists with the North Carolina Department of Natural Resources said it was not under their jurisdiction because the box is on federal property. Public affairs spokesmen at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and U.S. Department of Energy said that the Department of Defense likely has its own program.
Public affairs spokesmen at Marine Headquarters and at Department of Defense headquarters could not explain what is required in such a situation by press time.
Contact Eric Steinkopff at esteinkopff@jdnews.com or 353-1171, Ext. 236.
http://www.jacksonvilledailynews.com/SiteProcessor.cfm?Template=/GlobalTemplates/Details.cfm&StoryID=17958&Section=News
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
November 20,2003
ERIC STEINKOPFF
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Two sets of protective suits contaminated by radiation in Kuwait are in a box at Camp Lejeune awaiting proper disposal, military officials said Wednesday.
The suits, used by troops for protection from nuclear, biological or chemical substances, were exposed to depleted uranium when troops were cleaning tanks during the war with Iraq. The gear, commonly called NBC suits in the military, were shipped to Lejeune in a box.
The radiation was detected by Marines from 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Force Service Group when the box was opened at Lejeune. How long and how many Marines were exposed to the radiation was not immediately reported. Military officials did not say when the box arrived at Lejeune or when it was opened.
There were no reported injuries.
Capt. Teresa Ovalle, a Camp Lejeune spokeswoman, said it was likely that the Marines knew the suits were possibly contaminated and took steps to protect themselves.
According to a release from Camp Lejeune Public Affairs, the Marines closed the box after finding a low level of Alpha radiation. The suits were returned to the box, and it was resealed to prevent any further contamination.
Alpha radiation cannot penetrate the skin, but can be harmful to humans if it is inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through open wounds, the release said.
Depleted uranium is used in some armor-piercing weapons and to strengthen some types of armor, but officials could not explain how or why the radioactive substance was present in sufficient strength to cause contamination.
"Appropriate steps are being taken to ensure the box is properly processed for disposal as regulations dictate," the release said. Military officials could not explain what those steps might be, how the suits would be disposed or what regulations govern such a situation.
Radiation detection specialists with the North Carolina Department of Natural Resources said it was not under their jurisdiction because the box is on federal property. Public affairs spokesmen at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and U.S. Department of Energy said that the Department of Defense likely has its own program.
Public affairs spokesmen at Marine Headquarters and at Department of Defense headquarters could not explain what is required in such a situation by press time.
Contact Eric Steinkopff at esteinkopff@jdnews.com or 353-1171, Ext. 236.
http://www.jacksonvilledailynews.com/SiteProcessor.cfm?Template=/GlobalTemplates/Details.cfm&StoryID=17958&Section=News
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: