Uranium Yellowcake Contamination

The US military failed to provide protection at Tuwaitha nuclear facility near Baghdad allowing looters to steal barrels containing uranium yellowcake. The yellowcake was emptied out and the barrels in many houses are being used to store water and food. Frightening levels of radioactivity have now been recorded in the area. Greenpeace has started a barrel swap scheme since the US military was only offering $3 a returned barrel while a new barrel costs $15. The UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has demanded urgent access to study the contamination saying "We have a moral responsibility to establish the facts without delay and take urgent remedial action." Dr Chris Busby, a low level radiation expert, points out that the US may have allowed the uranium looting to take place to cover up the effects of its own use of radioactive uranium weapons.

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