Vets urged to be tested for shrapnel effects

Vets urged to be tested for shrapnel effects
Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Monday, September 1, 2008



Veterans are being warned that they should be tested for the effects of shrapnel being carried in their bodies, CNN reported Friday.

Tens of thousands of active-duty and veteran servicemembers who have been wounded will be notified — CNN did not specify when, or by what body — that they may need to be tested to see whether such metals in their bodies are harmful. Blood and urine would be monitored, according to the report.

"The importance is to be able to determine if the patient has been exposed to elements of toxic concern, Dr. Joseph Centeno, a U.S. Army research scientist, told CNN.

Doctors often leave shrapnel in wounded servicemembers’ bodies rather than subject them to the traumas of additional surgery, CNN noted.
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=57123

I looked for the link to this but couldn't find it. What I did find was several reports on depleted uranium showing up in blood and urine.