Department of Health tests Military for depleted uranium levels

KVII
Posted: 2007-11-05 19:56:30

The Department's Environmental Health Epidemiology Bureau will conduct tests to determine if individuals have high concentrations of natural uranium and/or depleted uranium in their urine. Depleted uranium is used for bullets, tank armor and explosives. One of the possible side effects of having high levels of depleted uranium is kidney damage.

"The New Mexico Legislature gave us funding to test veterans and active duty military who may have been exposed to depleted uranium," said Health Secretary Dr. Alfredo Vigil. "We encourage military personnel to take advantage of these free tests."

The Department asks interested military personnel to call to make an appointment. The tests are free.

The Department will test the person's urine for total uranium at its Scientific Laboratory in Albuquerque. If the urine sample tests high for uranium, the Department will offer a follow-up test to determine if this uranium is depleted or natural uranium.

At the appointment, a Department of Health staff member will give a brief questionnaire and take a tap water sample, which will also be tested for total uranium. The water is tested for uranium because New Mexico, on average, has a higher concentration of uranium in drinking water than the rest of the country.

To volunteer or find out more, contact the Department's Environmental Health Epidemiology Bureau at: DOH-EHEB@state.nm.us or toll-free, 888-878-8992.

Schedule:

Week of November 13: Bernalillo County

Week of November 26: Lea, Eddy, Otero, Roosevelt, Curry, De Baca, Torrance, Chaves, Guadalupe, and Lincoln counties

Week of December 3: Valencia, Catron, Hidalgo, Luna, Dona Ana, Grant, Sierra and Socorro counties

Week of December 10: San Juan, McKinley, Cibola, Sandoval and Los Alamos counties

Week of December 17: Taos, Union, Raton, Harding, Quay, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Colfax and Rio Arriba counties