The military delegation that tested parts of Kosovo and Sarajevo where Irish soldiers are stationed returned yesterday to brief the General Staff of the Defence Forces.
Although no statement was issued last night, it is understood the tests found no unusual or dangerous levels of radiation in the areas where Irish troops are on duties. Last September the Army tested the Kosovo base for harmful radiation and found none.
No Irish soldiers are known to have reported suffering any adverse health effects that might be associated with what is becoming known as the "Balkan Syndrome".
However, the military was last night discussing what form of health screening to put in place for soldiers serving in both Sarajevo and Kosovo. Irish soldiers who have served in the region are being offered medical screening.
There is considerable debate about the source of illnesses associated with serving in war zones such as the Balkans and the Gulf. One source of blame is the use of depleted uranium (DU) ammunition. Yesterday the University College Cork Professor of Physics, John McInerney, warned against exaggerating the dangers from DU. He said the hazards from handling DU ammunition were "minimal" and that the toxic hazard from exploded shells was confined to the immediate vicinity of the target. Writing in the Examiner, he said: "If a person were unfortunate enough to inhale or ingest some of the uranium dust from a destroyed tank and did not seek prompt medical intervention, the disease most likely to occur would be localised tumours of the lungs or digestive tract after several years, not leukaemia after a few months."