HOUSE MEMORIAL 56

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2012

INTRODUCED BY

Thomas A. Anderson

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE TO STUDY THE EFFECTS OF DEPLETED URANIUM EXPOSURE ON SOLDIERS AND REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO NATIONAL GUARD TO RENEW EFFORTS TO LOCATE MILITARY PERSONNEL WHO ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO DEPLETED URANIUM.

     WHEREAS, the United States armed forces and the armed forces of many nations use depleted uranium in various forms of ordnance and armor; and

     WHEREAS, because of its ubiquitous use by the armed forces, many service members have been unknowingly exposed to depleted uranium; and

     WHEREAS, the normal function of the body's vital organs, including the kidneys, brain, liver and heart, can be adversely affected by exposure to uranium; and

     WHEREAS, depleted uranium poses a particular risk of exposure because of its long half-life; and

     WHEREAS, the aerosol produced during the impact and combustion of depleted uranium could contaminate wide areas around impact sites, resulting in exposure to troops who are in such an exposure zone; and

     WHEREAS, there have been reports indicating that military personnel are at particular risk of inhaling uranium dust; and

     WHEREAS, because of the nature of the dispersal of depleted uranium in combat situations, many soldiers may not realize that they have been exposed to depleted uranium, and thus are at risk of serious illness because of that exposure; and

     WHEREAS, certain studies have indicated that there may be an increased rate of birth defects among the children of military personnel who have been exposed to depleted uranium; and

     WHEREAS, studies have also documented the effects of depleted uranium on the health of household members of returning troops, as the depleted uranium can be transmitted through intimate contact or through contact with contaminated dust on the service member's belongings; and

     WHEREAS, high concentrations of depleted uranium exposure could cause significant health issues among members of the armed forces, their loved ones and their families; and

     WHEREAS, it is estimated that over three hundred forty tons of depleted uranium munitions were used in the 1991 Persian Gulf War, one to two thousand tons of depleted uranium munitions were used in the 2003 Gulf War and the nation's service members are still exposed to depleted uranium in Afghanistan and other conflicts;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the university of New Mexico school of medicine be requested to study what physiological effects there might be on service members who have been exposed to depleted uranium while serving their country, including requiring university medical staff to collect data on the numbers of patients with cases related to depleted uranium exposure; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the university of New Mexico school of health be requested to include the diagnosis of illnesses related to depleted uranium exposure as a part of their curriculum training; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico national guard be requested to renew its efforts to locate military personnel who have been exposed to depleted uranium; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to office of the dean of the university of New Mexico school of medicine and the adjutant general of the New Mexico national guard.