Brussels, 01/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - The scientific experts entrusted by the European Commission with gathering all available information on the health risks of munitions containing depleted uranium used in the Balkans, held a first meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday. According to the Commission spokesman, the meeting was constructive. The Expert 33 committee, set in place in the context of the Euratom Treaty, is already working on draft conclusions and could adopt a definitive opinion during its next meeting on 19 February. "The Commission is awaiting this opinion before giving its stance on the following stages", said Annika Östergren, the Environment Commissioner's spokesperson.
The World Health Organisation has, for its part, appealed for the sum of $2 million to be collected to allow WHO to undertake in-depth studies into the possible health effects of depleted uranium used in munitions during the Gulf War and the conflicts in the Balkans. "This initial $2 million appeal will eventually form part of an estimated $20 million appeal which would cover WHO's work in this area for the next four years", states WHO in a press release published on Thursday.
"While experts' current thinking is that the risk from exposure to DU is low, information is not sufficient for firm conclusions", states WHO. "There is also very little information on other possible risk factors for civilians and the military that may be equally important. We need to examine possible connections between risk factors and health outcomes", specifies Xavier Leus, Director for the Emergency and Humanitarian Action Department of WHO.
According to information from the AFP office in Pristina, the WHO laboratories have not found any trace of plutonium in samples of depleted uranium munitions from sites bombed in Kosovo. WHO laboratories are expected to give their conclusions in March.