Depleted uranium to be monitored at Schofield

Depleted uranium to be monitored at Schofield

The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Apr 23, 2008 16:51:30 EDT

HONOLULU — The Army says depleted uranium at Schofield Barracks poses no health risk.

It’s decided it won’t try to remove Cold War munitions discovered in 2005.

But the Pentagon is going to spend $2.5 million to monitor the training range at Schofield for any danger from the weaponry, as well as ranges at Makua Military Reservation and Pohakuloa on the Big Island.

Army radiation safety officer Greg Komp says federal and state radiation experts have determined the Schofield area is safe for soldiers who live near the site and for workers.

Depleted uranium is twice as dense as lead and has been used as part of the armor to protect tanks. It’s also been used in projectiles designed to penetrate enemy armored vehicles.

The uranium was found on a 400-acre impact area of the Schofield training range.
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/04/ap_depleted_uranium_042308/