H.R. 207 would provide for identification of members of the Armed Forces exposed during military service to depleted uranium, and provide for health testing of such members.
Detailed Summary
Depleted Uranium Screening and Testing Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to: (1) establish procedures for the predeployment notification to members of the Armed Forces of any known or likely use of depleted uranium in the theater of operation and any health risks associated with exposure to depleted uranium; (2) provide for training deploying members on the safe handling of depleted uranium contamination; (3) carry out a program to identify individuals exposed to depleted uranium during active service in the Armed Forces; (4) provide such individuals with bioassay testing and notification of test results; and (5) identify specified depleted uranium exposure events.
Requires the Secretary of each military department to establish procedures for collecting, tracking, and maintaining information on the health status of individuals tested under this Act to assess long-term health consequences of exposure to depleted uranium.
Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct an independent review of bioassay types and contamination thresholds for purposes of required testing.
Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned to provide appropriate treatment for any illness of an individual resulting from depleted uranium contamination or exposure.
Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a survey of radioisotope identification equipment used by the Department of Defense (DOD) to assess the capability of DOD facilities to identify concentrations of different radioisotopes in naturally occurring levels of uranium and to report survey findings to Congress.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 2/1/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
Wounded Soldier
I am for this bill! I was an armament repairer for 8 years in the Army in constant proximity to DU rounds and the Armor on the tank that has DU in it. It has been two years since my return from Iraq where I worked on equipment daily that was in contact with DU. Three weeks ago I had my thyroid completely removed because I had a cancer tumor in it. Now I am on hormones for the rest of my life- not to mention the odds of the cancer coming back somewhere else in my body.
Why are we using weapons of mass destruction on the nation of Iraq and our consequently on our nation's sons and daughters, many that have been suffering from the effects of these weapons since the 1st Gulf War? Not to mention the Iraqi people and children who are suffering the same from tainted air, soil and water supplies.
Ask yourself where are the real weapons of mass destruction are? I know where the are.
Concerned Soldier
I requested a DU exp test at the VA and I was informed that I'd have to pay if I wanted the test done even though I have free medical. I started having migraines after I returned and have about 10 major ones a month. Can you imagine having 5 migraines from a Saturday through a Friday? After all of the soldiers sacrifice so much, the least our country can do is provide us with the proper testing and treatment that we deserve. Our GOVERNMENT NEEDS to SUPPORT OUR TROOPS and ensure that every soldier is properly tested for DU exposure upon their return home. The government is just worried about $$$ and what it will cost them if they admit anything. But have they thought of what they would earn in other terms from our country by loyally SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS and standing by us after putting us in harms way? We have willingly stood and fought for our government in foreign land and all we ask is that they willingly stand for us here in our own.
Retired Soldier
I spent 20 of my 23 years on the M1 family of tanks. I have been recently diagnosed with and elevated thyroid level. Now the doctors are running more test.