Finally after 13 years of denied medical testing, denied medical care for the
majority of depleted uranium casualties, numerous requests for medical care, and continued use of uranium munitions Colonel Paula K. Underwood, M.C., in the U.S. Army Office of the Surgeon General has distributed the following official U.S. Army policy dated 4/29/04 regarding testing for depleted uranium exposure.
However, I must ask if U.S. Department of Defense officials who willfully manufactured, tested, and used uranium munitions will provide this same testing for all individuals who were exposed to uranium contamination to include residents of Iraq; the Balkans; Vieques, Puerto Rico; Okinawa; Afghanistan; locations through out the United States, England, Canada, Germany, and all other locations where depleted uranium or in reality uranium weapons were manufactured, tested, or used? If a uranium radiobioassay is now required for all level 1 and 2 exposures and is available upon request for level 3 exposures to all U.S. service members as result of confirmed or possible uranium contamination exposures then this testing must be made available to all individuals in our coalition nations and to all individuals who were affected by the U.S. military's willful use, testing, or manufacturing of uranium munitions at any location. However because thousands of children, women, and men were exposed, many are sick, and all but 262 were denied testing and medical care for 13 years will these individuals be provided care and compensation base on presumption and denial of previously mandated testing.
Level 1 is defined as: “Personnel who were in, on, or near combat vehicles at the time they were struck by depleted uranium rounds (to include wounded), or who entered immediately after to attempt rescue.”
Level 2 is defined as: “Personnel who routinely entered depleted uranium damaged vehicles as part of their military occupation or who fought fires involving depleted uranium munitions.”
Level 3 is defined as: “Personnel involved in all other exposures incidental in nature, e.g. driving by a vehicle struck by depleted uranium.” (SECDEF 3/30/03: Policy for the Operation Iraqi Freedom Depleted Uranium (DU) Medical Management)
The acknowledgement that medical care is required for level 1 and 2 exposures
and optional for level 3 exposures when compared with rge findings of the
U.S. Army Environmental Institute report (6/95) that: “No available technology
can significantly change the inherent chemical and radiological toxicity of DU.
These are intrinsic properties of uranium.” indicates that mediical care must
be provided to all casaualties and individuals affected by U.S. Department of
Defense manufacture, testing, and use of uranium munitions.
Dr. Doug Rokke, Ph.D.
Major (retired), USAR
former 3rd U.S. Army Gulf War 1 DU team health physicist
former U.S. Army Depleted Uranium Project director
“universal”
official OTSG message follows:
From: Underwood, Paula K COL OTSG [mailto:Paula.Underwood@us.army.mil]
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2004 9:24 AM
To: Alsip, Bryan J MAJ AMEDDCS; Arthur Cajigal (E-mail); Bailey, Rachel L MAJ
AMEDDCS; Baker, Arthur R LTC CHPPM-Wash DC; Barraza, Evelyn M COL MAMC;
Battle, Steven E MAJ WBAMC; Bde (FWD) PM Staff Officer Lund (E-mail); Beck,
Kimberly A CPT WRAMC-Wash DC; Bedno, Sheryl A CPT MAMC; Bell, Michael R MAJ USACHPPM; Benne, Paul D MAJ IACH-Ft Knox; Bennett, Kent S CPT MAMC; Black, Lisa A LTC OTSG; Boland, Edward H LTC WAMC-Ft Bragg; Bradley, Kent L COL LND; Brewster, Steven J LTC GAHC-Ft Drum; Brumage, Michael LTC USAMW; Burns, Darlene M MAJ BMACH; Bybee, Leon R LTC EACH; Campbell, Brian S COL WBAMC; Cann, William H CPT MAMC; Caudle III, COL Lester; Cavicchia, Melinda A LTC BACH; Cersovsky, Steven B MAJ WRAIR-Wash DC; Ciminera, Paul CPT WRAIR-Wash DC; COL John Gardner (E-mail); Coldren, Rodney L MAJ USAMRU; Collier, LTC Craig; Completo, John D MAJ WRAIR-Wash DC; Cook, James E LTC MAMC; Corr, William P LTC BMACH; Costigan, Daniel J MAJ WRAIR-Wash DC; Craig, Stephen C COL KACH-West Point; Davidson, Daniel R COL MACH; DeFraites, Robert F COL OTSG; Diniega, Dr. Benedict; Doyne, Holly COL ARCENT-Kuwait Cmd Surgeon; Eader, Scott A CPT BJACH-Ft Polk; Erickson, Ralph L COL USACHPPMEUR; Frye, Darrin L CPT DACH-FT HOOD; Gates, Kathy E LTC OTSG; Gelnett, Jane Dr MAMC; Grabenstein, John D COL OTSG; Gum, COL Robert; Hack, Dallas C COL WRAMC-Wash DC; Harris, Mark D MAJ USAMH; Hewitson, William C LTC AMEDDCS; Hoffman, Kenneth J COL WRAMC- Wash DC; Hussey, Nora MAJ WBAMC; Jacobson, Jon R CPT USACHPPM; Jang, Samuel S MAJ USACHPPM; Jones, COL David; Keenan, COL Kevin; Keep, Lisa W LTC USUHS-Wash DC; Kingsbury, Jeffrey L LTC WAMC-Ft Bragg; Kinty, Dr. Sheila; Klamerus, Steven D COL Commander FAHC; Knapp, Doris E Ms USACHPPM; Kortepeter, Mark G LTC USAMRIID; Kramp, Richard W COL 18th Medical Command; Krauss, Margot R COL WRAIR-Wash DC; Lee, Hee-Choon S LTC EAMC-PM; Lewis, Michael D LTC USAMC-AFRIMS; Littell, Chris MAJ FSGA MEDDAC; Little, Thomas N Dr GLWACH; Littlebird, Forrest D MAJ USAMC-AFRIMS; Littrell, Anthony C MAJ USAMRIID; Ljaamo, Sven K COL GAHC-Ft Drum; Longfield, Jenice N COL BAMC-Ft Sam Houston; Lovell, Mark A LTC USACHPPMEUR; MacIntosh, Victor H LTC WRAIR-Wash DC; Madsen, James M COL USACHPPM; Magill, Alan J COL WRAIR-Wash DC; MAJ Lisa Pearse (E-mail); Maliner, Beverly I COL USAMRICD; Mallon, Timothy M LTC USACHPPM; Malone, Joseph L CAPT WRAIR-Wash DC; Mancuso, James D CPT USACHPPMEUR; Martin, Gregory J MAJ GLWACH; Maza, John P MAJ 702nd MSB; McCord, Cedric F MAJ EAMC; McDermott, Glenn D COL DHCS-Ft Belvoir; Mckenzie-Garner, Pearline V LTC WRAMC-Wash DC; McNeil, John COL USAMRMC; Michaels, Kevin P LTC EAMC; Millikan, Amy CPT WRAIR-Wash DC; Moore, Richard H LTC EAMC; Moore, Vincent P MAJ USACHPPM; Mott, Robert L LTC WRAIR-Wash DC; Mukai, COL David; Nang, LTC Roberto; Newsom, Robert J MAJ MACH; Niebuhr, David W LTC WRAIR-Wash DC; Novakoski, William L. LTC., DHCS-FT Belvoir; Oliverson, Forrest W COL BAMC-Ft Sam Houston; Oronoz, Joaquin F LTC BMACH; Paris, Robert M MAJ USAMC-AFRIMS; Parker, Michael E MAJ USACHPPM; Pavlin, Julie A LTC WRAIR-Wash DC; Pederson, Charles L MAJ MAMC; Pero, Robert T LTC USACHPPM; Perry, Cynthia L MAJ BAMC-Ft Sam Houston TX; Petruccelli, Bruno P COL USACHPPM; Plotkin, Fredric R LTC USCENTCOM; Plummer, Andrew D CPT USACHPPM; Porter, William D CPT WRAIR-Wash DC; Raymond, Matthew W COL MEDDAC-AK; Repaci, Paul D Mr OTSG; Rice, William A LTC AMEDDCS; Roesel, Thomas R Dr WRAMC-Wash DC; Rowe, LTC John; Rubertone, Mark V COL CHPPM-Wash DC; Russell, Robert K MAJ TAMC; Scott, Brian G COL BAMC-Ft Sam Houston; Scott, Paul T MAJ CHPPM-Wash DC; Shanks, Dennis G COL USACHPPM; Sheehan, James J MAJ RACH-FtSill; Shuping, Eric E LTC WRAIR-Wash DC; Singer, Darrell E MAJ WRAIR-Wash DC; Smith, Paul D COL OTSG; Smoak, Bonnie L COL WRAIR Wash-DC; Stanek, Scott A LTC USAMRIID; Statz, William K LTC USAAMC; Stein, James J MAJ USAMW; Stikes, Henry P COL LJAHC; Terrio, James, LTC; Thompson, Benjamin A LTC TAMC; Tobler, Steven K MAJ WAMC-Ft Bragg; Underwood, Paula K COL OTSG; Vaeth, Mary F Dr WRAMC-Wash DC; Vento, Todd J MAJ IACH; Wadding, James S MAJ DACH-Fort Hood; Wasserman, Glenn M COL TAMC; Weg, Alden L MAJ MAMC; Wempe, John LTC(P) KUSHC-APG; Wieman, Jason S MAJ MAMC; Wiesen, Andrew R LTC MAMC
Subject: DU policy
To All:
I just wanted to send this policy out, in case it had not yet made its way through the normal channels.
Please take note of the three different levels of exposure. Essentially Levels 1 and 2 require a 24 hour urine sample for DU bioassay.
If there is incidental exposure, that is a Level 3. If a SM still has concerns, even though they have only an incidental exposure to DU, they can request a 24 hour urine sample for DU bioassay.
P.K. Underwood
COL, MC
Preventive Medicine Staff Officer
Proponency for Preventive Medicine
Office of the Surgeon General
Please also visit the Traprock Peace Center http://www.traprockpeace.org
majority of depleted uranium casualties, numerous requests for medical care, and continued use of uranium munitions Colonel Paula K. Underwood, M.C., in the U.S. Army Office of the Surgeon General has distributed the following official U.S. Army policy dated 4/29/04 regarding testing for depleted uranium exposure.
However, I must ask if U.S. Department of Defense officials who willfully manufactured, tested, and used uranium munitions will provide this same testing for all individuals who were exposed to uranium contamination to include residents of Iraq; the Balkans; Vieques, Puerto Rico; Okinawa; Afghanistan; locations through out the United States, England, Canada, Germany, and all other locations where depleted uranium or in reality uranium weapons were manufactured, tested, or used? If a uranium radiobioassay is now required for all level 1 and 2 exposures and is available upon request for level 3 exposures to all U.S. service members as result of confirmed or possible uranium contamination exposures then this testing must be made available to all individuals in our coalition nations and to all individuals who were affected by the U.S. military's willful use, testing, or manufacturing of uranium munitions at any location. However because thousands of children, women, and men were exposed, many are sick, and all but 262 were denied testing and medical care for 13 years will these individuals be provided care and compensation base on presumption and denial of previously mandated testing.
Level 1 is defined as: “Personnel who were in, on, or near combat vehicles at the time they were struck by depleted uranium rounds (to include wounded), or who entered immediately after to attempt rescue.”
Level 2 is defined as: “Personnel who routinely entered depleted uranium damaged vehicles as part of their military occupation or who fought fires involving depleted uranium munitions.”
Level 3 is defined as: “Personnel involved in all other exposures incidental in nature, e.g. driving by a vehicle struck by depleted uranium.” (SECDEF 3/30/03: Policy for the Operation Iraqi Freedom Depleted Uranium (DU) Medical Management)
The acknowledgement that medical care is required for level 1 and 2 exposures
and optional for level 3 exposures when compared with rge findings of the
U.S. Army Environmental Institute report (6/95) that: “No available technology
can significantly change the inherent chemical and radiological toxicity of DU.
These are intrinsic properties of uranium.” indicates that mediical care must
be provided to all casaualties and individuals affected by U.S. Department of
Defense manufacture, testing, and use of uranium munitions.
Dr. Doug Rokke, Ph.D.
Major (retired), USAR
former 3rd U.S. Army Gulf War 1 DU team health physicist
former U.S. Army Depleted Uranium Project director
“universal”
official OTSG message follows:
From: Underwood, Paula K COL OTSG [mailto:Paula.Underwood@us.army.mil]
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2004 9:24 AM
To: Alsip, Bryan J MAJ AMEDDCS; Arthur Cajigal (E-mail); Bailey, Rachel L MAJ
AMEDDCS; Baker, Arthur R LTC CHPPM-Wash DC; Barraza, Evelyn M COL MAMC;
Battle, Steven E MAJ WBAMC; Bde (FWD) PM Staff Officer Lund (E-mail); Beck,
Kimberly A CPT WRAMC-Wash DC; Bedno, Sheryl A CPT MAMC; Bell, Michael R MAJ USACHPPM; Benne, Paul D MAJ IACH-Ft Knox; Bennett, Kent S CPT MAMC; Black, Lisa A LTC OTSG; Boland, Edward H LTC WAMC-Ft Bragg; Bradley, Kent L COL LND; Brewster, Steven J LTC GAHC-Ft Drum; Brumage, Michael LTC USAMW; Burns, Darlene M MAJ BMACH; Bybee, Leon R LTC EACH; Campbell, Brian S COL WBAMC; Cann, William H CPT MAMC; Caudle III, COL Lester; Cavicchia, Melinda A LTC BACH; Cersovsky, Steven B MAJ WRAIR-Wash DC; Ciminera, Paul CPT WRAIR-Wash DC; COL John Gardner (E-mail); Coldren, Rodney L MAJ USAMRU; Collier, LTC Craig; Completo, John D MAJ WRAIR-Wash DC; Cook, James E LTC MAMC; Corr, William P LTC BMACH; Costigan, Daniel J MAJ WRAIR-Wash DC; Craig, Stephen C COL KACH-West Point; Davidson, Daniel R COL MACH; DeFraites, Robert F COL OTSG; Diniega, Dr. Benedict; Doyne, Holly COL ARCENT-Kuwait Cmd Surgeon; Eader, Scott A CPT BJACH-Ft Polk; Erickson, Ralph L COL USACHPPMEUR; Frye, Darrin L CPT DACH-FT HOOD; Gates, Kathy E LTC OTSG; Gelnett, Jane Dr MAMC; Grabenstein, John D COL OTSG; Gum, COL Robert; Hack, Dallas C COL WRAMC-Wash DC; Harris, Mark D MAJ USAMH; Hewitson, William C LTC AMEDDCS; Hoffman, Kenneth J COL WRAMC- Wash DC; Hussey, Nora MAJ WBAMC; Jacobson, Jon R CPT USACHPPM; Jang, Samuel S MAJ USACHPPM; Jones, COL David; Keenan, COL Kevin; Keep, Lisa W LTC USUHS-Wash DC; Kingsbury, Jeffrey L LTC WAMC-Ft Bragg; Kinty, Dr. Sheila; Klamerus, Steven D COL Commander FAHC; Knapp, Doris E Ms USACHPPM; Kortepeter, Mark G LTC USAMRIID; Kramp, Richard W COL 18th Medical Command; Krauss, Margot R COL WRAIR-Wash DC; Lee, Hee-Choon S LTC EAMC-PM; Lewis, Michael D LTC USAMC-AFRIMS; Littell, Chris MAJ FSGA MEDDAC; Little, Thomas N Dr GLWACH; Littlebird, Forrest D MAJ USAMC-AFRIMS; Littrell, Anthony C MAJ USAMRIID; Ljaamo, Sven K COL GAHC-Ft Drum; Longfield, Jenice N COL BAMC-Ft Sam Houston; Lovell, Mark A LTC USACHPPMEUR; MacIntosh, Victor H LTC WRAIR-Wash DC; Madsen, James M COL USACHPPM; Magill, Alan J COL WRAIR-Wash DC; MAJ Lisa Pearse (E-mail); Maliner, Beverly I COL USAMRICD; Mallon, Timothy M LTC USACHPPM; Malone, Joseph L CAPT WRAIR-Wash DC; Mancuso, James D CPT USACHPPMEUR; Martin, Gregory J MAJ GLWACH; Maza, John P MAJ 702nd MSB; McCord, Cedric F MAJ EAMC; McDermott, Glenn D COL DHCS-Ft Belvoir; Mckenzie-Garner, Pearline V LTC WRAMC-Wash DC; McNeil, John COL USAMRMC; Michaels, Kevin P LTC EAMC; Millikan, Amy CPT WRAIR-Wash DC; Moore, Richard H LTC EAMC; Moore, Vincent P MAJ USACHPPM; Mott, Robert L LTC WRAIR-Wash DC; Mukai, COL David; Nang, LTC Roberto; Newsom, Robert J MAJ MACH; Niebuhr, David W LTC WRAIR-Wash DC; Novakoski, William L. LTC., DHCS-FT Belvoir; Oliverson, Forrest W COL BAMC-Ft Sam Houston; Oronoz, Joaquin F LTC BMACH; Paris, Robert M MAJ USAMC-AFRIMS; Parker, Michael E MAJ USACHPPM; Pavlin, Julie A LTC WRAIR-Wash DC; Pederson, Charles L MAJ MAMC; Pero, Robert T LTC USACHPPM; Perry, Cynthia L MAJ BAMC-Ft Sam Houston TX; Petruccelli, Bruno P COL USACHPPM; Plotkin, Fredric R LTC USCENTCOM; Plummer, Andrew D CPT USACHPPM; Porter, William D CPT WRAIR-Wash DC; Raymond, Matthew W COL MEDDAC-AK; Repaci, Paul D Mr OTSG; Rice, William A LTC AMEDDCS; Roesel, Thomas R Dr WRAMC-Wash DC; Rowe, LTC John; Rubertone, Mark V COL CHPPM-Wash DC; Russell, Robert K MAJ TAMC; Scott, Brian G COL BAMC-Ft Sam Houston; Scott, Paul T MAJ CHPPM-Wash DC; Shanks, Dennis G COL USACHPPM; Sheehan, James J MAJ RACH-FtSill; Shuping, Eric E LTC WRAIR-Wash DC; Singer, Darrell E MAJ WRAIR-Wash DC; Smith, Paul D COL OTSG; Smoak, Bonnie L COL WRAIR Wash-DC; Stanek, Scott A LTC USAMRIID; Statz, William K LTC USAAMC; Stein, James J MAJ USAMW; Stikes, Henry P COL LJAHC; Terrio, James, LTC; Thompson, Benjamin A LTC TAMC; Tobler, Steven K MAJ WAMC-Ft Bragg; Underwood, Paula K COL OTSG; Vaeth, Mary F Dr WRAMC-Wash DC; Vento, Todd J MAJ IACH; Wadding, James S MAJ DACH-Fort Hood; Wasserman, Glenn M COL TAMC; Weg, Alden L MAJ MAMC; Wempe, John LTC(P) KUSHC-APG; Wieman, Jason S MAJ MAMC; Wiesen, Andrew R LTC MAMC
Subject: DU policy
To All:
I just wanted to send this policy out, in case it had not yet made its way through the normal channels.
Please take note of the three different levels of exposure. Essentially Levels 1 and 2 require a 24 hour urine sample for DU bioassay.
If there is incidental exposure, that is a Level 3. If a SM still has concerns, even though they have only an incidental exposure to DU, they can request a 24 hour urine sample for DU bioassay.
P.K. Underwood
COL, MC
Preventive Medicine Staff Officer
Proponency for Preventive Medicine
Office of the Surgeon General
Please also visit the Traprock Peace Center http://www.traprockpeace.org