Depleted Uranium – What Minnesota Veterans Need to Know
In recent years, a large number of Minnesota veterans, including those who serve in the National Guard and Reserves, have been deployed overseas where they may have worked with munitions and tanks that contained depleted uranium (DU). DU is a very dense metal that the U.S. military uses in munitions for its armor-piercing properties and in tank armor for its ability to protect against standard munitions.
To ensure that Minnesota veterans and those who have a stake in their well-being – physicians, veterans service organizations and state legislators – have access to the most up-to-date scientific information about any potential health risks associated with exposure to DU, the Minnesota Legislature directed the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) to conduct an educational program about DU.
While decades of research suggest that DU is not a health concern for the vast majority of service members, any Minnesota veteran or service member who believes he or she may have been exposed to DU may request an evaluation from their local VA Medical Center’s environmental health coordinator.
MDVA Materials on DU
View Videos from the Public Forum on DU
On Friday, January 30, 2009, the MN Dept. of Veterans Affairs hosted a public forum on DU with leading national experts and a representative from the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. More information on the forum.
Following is an archived video Web cast of the forum:
Individual Presentations:
Helpful Links
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Uranium Toxicological Profile and Public Health
www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp150.html
Deployment Health Clinical Center (DHCC)
www.pdhealth.mil
Deployment Health Support Directorate Depleted Uranium Information
fhp.osd.mil/du/
U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine
chppm-www.apgea.army.mil]
U.S. VA New Jersey War-Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC)
www.wri.med.va.gov
U.S. VA Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards - Depleted Uranium Follow-Up Program
ww.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/depleted_uranium/followup_program.asp
U.S. VA Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards - Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses
www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/ |
Veterans Linkage Line: 1-888-LinkVet (1-888-546-5838). LinkVet is a toll-free, one-stop customer service line for all Minnesota veterans.
Minnesota Veteran Homes Compliance Line: English speaking (800) 273-7614. Spanish speaking (800) 216-1288. Website
