US alleges there is no evidence that uranium ammunition it will send to Ukraine causes cancer

The United States alleged this Thursday that, despite Russian criticism, there is no evidence that the depleted uranium ammunition it decided to deliver to Ukraine causes cancer.

Pentagon deputy spokesperson Sabrina Singh pointed out in a press conference that both the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and even the International Energy Agency Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) agree with that position.

“The CDC has found here that there is no evidence that depleted uranium munitions cause cancer. The WHO reports that there is no increase in leukemia or other cancers after exposure to depleted uranium. And even the IAEA has unequivocally highlighted that there is no link,” he noted.

The United States announced on Wednesday a new military aid package for Ukraine valued at $175 million and that for the first time includes depleted uranium ammunition. This ammunition, 120 millimeters in caliber, is intended for Abrams tanks.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov pointed out that the supply of these projectiles by the US is “very bad news” due to the consequences for the population of the territory in which the ammunition will be used.

These munitions, according to Russian diplomacy, cause “a moving radioactive cloud and small particles of uranium are deposited in the respiratory tract, lungs and esophagus, accumulate in the kidneys and liver, cause cancer and cause inhibition of the functions of the entire organism.

Depleted uranium shells have greater armor piercing capabilities and their use has long been a controversial issue due to their potential health and environmental impacts.

“They are intended to pierce tanks and be used very effectively on the battlefield. They are standard ammunition rounds. Abrams tanks will use them and many armies around the world use depleted uranium. (…) We think they are the most effective to confront the Russian tanks and that they will help the Ukrainians defend their territory,” concluded the Pentagon spokesperson.

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.