LONDON - Sixteen British Gulf War veterans say they have proved a link between so-called Gulf War Illness and the use of shells and missiles containing depleted uranium by Western forces in the 1991 war.

The veterans say the shells, which are safe to handle, become dangerous when they explode because uranium dust swirls in the air and can be inhaled. They sent urine samples to a Canadian laboratory for testing. The lab found traces of depleted uranium in all the samples.

Thousands of troops who served in the Gulf War later claimed a wide range of health problems, including chronic fatigue, bone disease, depression and birth defects in their children.

The armies of many Western nations, including Canada, say there is no such thing as Gulf War Illness. This week's lab finding bolsters the case of those who believe the syndrome does, indeed, exist.

The lab responsible for testing the urine samples says, however, that the results are too preliminary to draw conclusions.

SEE also:
Uranium blamed for Gulf War Syndrome
Exploding missiles tipped with uranium exposed servicemen to the toxic metal
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/health/newsid_270000/270800.stm

"Health Consequences of DU Weapons Used By US and British Forces"
http://asterix.phys.unm.edu:8000 (December 2-3, 1998 Conference Documents).

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