Gulf Veterans’ Illnesses Unit, Ministry of Defence, St George's Court,
2-12 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2SH
Tel 020 73054643

As part of the consultation process for MOD’s proposed screening programme for Depleted Uranium (DU), which took place in the first half of 2001, MOD sought views on its proposals for Biological Monitoring on current and future military operations. The two public consultation papers on DU screening and two corresponding papers summarising the responses are published on the MOD web site (www.mod.uk).

A range of views was expressed on the detail of MOD’s proposals for biological monitoring, but it was agreed that biological monitoring should be introduced and that testing for DU as well as total uranium might be necessary in certain circumstances. Some respondents doubted the practicalities of monitoring during some military operations.

Other responses recommended that independent experts should be consulted on the technical aspects of the monitoring, and Ministers established an independent Depleted Uranium Oversight Board (DUOB) (www.duob.org.uk) which was invited to comment on the technical aspects of the development of biological monitoring tests to be used by MOD for future operations where DU is used."

Having taken into account the responses to the public consultation exercises and comments from the DUOB, the MOD has now developed, within its overall health and safety framework, its policy for biological monitoring on current and future operations.

The policy is that Biological Monitoring for DU will be implemented with immediate effect for military personnel and MOD civilians on operations where they have been exposed to DU or where there is a high probability that they have been so exposed.

Health and safety is an employer’s responsibility and therefore the policy only applies to military personnel and MOD civilians. However, details of the policy will be made available at no cost to other UK organisations and personnel, such as MOD contractors and members of Non Governmental Organisations, who may be, or who may have been, legitimately present in operational theatres where DU munitions may have been used. Anyone not employed by the Secretary of State for Defence may access the facilities and services described in this document on a repayment basis.

The purpose of Biological Monitoring is to provide information to assist in risk communication and dose assessment. It will also provide information to assist in medical treatment in the very unlikely event that any toxic effects from DU may develop.

The details which follow on the implementation of the biological monitoring programme may evolve over time to take account of experience gained and future scientific developments.

Level Is and IIs will be notified to the medical staff by unit commanders, "on-the-scene" medical staff and, on occasion by the individual his/herself. Level IIs will normally fall within certain occupational groups such as REME or EOD personnel; such groups entering known contaminated areas in controlled circumstances will be appropriately protected.

Arrangements are to be made to collect urine samples from all Level I and Level II personnel, and from those Level III personnel who so choose (see below), following the instructions in Annex A. The sample analysis for Levels I and II is to identify the concentrations of uranium isotopes in the urine.

Level III personnel are to receive information that will allow them to make an informed choice as to whether they wish to participate in a monitoring programme that will consist of a determination of the total uranium content in the urine. The concentrations of uranium isotopes in the urine will also be determined if anomalous results (as defined below) are obtained.

A briefing on the availability of biological monitoring will be included in standard pre-deployment briefings when risk assessments indicate that DU exposures may occur. In addition a generic offer of screening to all who served in a theatre where DU munitions were used will be part of the theatre exit process.

Sample collection will be carried out at the home base or in role 4 hospital care, unless medical advice is to collect the sample in theatre. Collection will take place as soon as practicable but within a year of exposure. Priority will be given to those within Levels I and II. Information on the circumstances of the potential exposure will be obtained when samples are collected.

Samples will be returned to the Approved Dosimetry Service (ADS) at the Institute of Naval Medicine who will record receipt of each sample and arrange for its analysis. The analysis will include an assessment of the dose received and an interpretation of the results. The ADS will also enter the analysis results onto MOD's Approved Radiation Dose Record Keeping System and send a copy of the results to the originating unit/body.

To assist the interpretation, the results of the monitoring will be assessed against the results of background uranium in urine levels determined through the work currently being overseen by the DUOB.

Re-testing and/or additional tests will be carried out where indicated in accordance with statutory requirements. A variety of techniques (such as whole body monitoring) may be used, as recommended by radiation medicine specialists and the MOD’s Radiation Protection Adviser.

Results will be transmitted to service personnel via the forces’ medical staff using existing procedures. In the case of civilians, results will be transmitted via their employer, occupational health provider or GP.