On the Hungarian Environmental Effect of the NATO Attacks in Yugoslavia
Andor Kerekes, Antonio C. Cuellar, Ibolya Maschek, and György J. Köteles
Frédéric Joliot-Curie National Research Institute for Radiobiology and
Radiohygiene, Fodor József National Center for Public Health, Budapest, Hungary
Corresponding author: Dr. Andor Kerekes
Frédéric Joliot-Curie National Research
Institute for Radiobiology and Radiohygiene
Fodor József National Center for Public Health
P.O. Box 101, H-1775 Budapest, Hungary
Tel./Fax: (36-1) 229-1931
E-mail:
kerekes@hp.osski.hu
CEJOEM 1999, Vol.5. No.3-4.:286-290
Key words:
Air monitoring, alpha spectrometry, 238U activity concentration,
natural uranium, depleted uranium
Abstract:
Because of the intensive NATO bombardment of the neighboring region to Hungary,
i.e. Vojvodina, North Yugoslavia, air monitoring for detection of depleted uranium
particles supposed to be used as component of bullets was extended to the Southern
region of the country. Alpha spectrometry was applied as a sensitive analytical technique
able to detect uranium. Though no depleted uranium was detected in air by the sensitive
technique of alpha-spectrometry, the increased uranium content in natural ratio as a
component of normal soil, natural gas, etc. is suggested to originate from well dispersed
dust (2.5 (µm size) emitted to the atmosphere by explosions of bombing. This observation
is supported by the geographical distribution and the relatively rapid decrease of
pollution after the bomb attacks ceased.
Received: 16 February 2000
Accepted: 24 February 2000
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