Hilo Educational Program on Depleted Uranium Sat. April 7, 2007

 

Malu `Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action

P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawaii 96760.  Phone 808-966-7622

ja@interpac.net   www.malu-aina.org

 

Press Release Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Re: Community Educational program on the Health Hazards of Military Depleted Uranium (DU) munitions

Further contact: Jim Albertini 966-7622

 

     "There will be a community educational program on the Health Hazards of Military Depleted Uranium (DU) munitions this Saturday, April 7, 2007 from 7-9PM at the Tea House, 130 Kilauea Ave. in Hilo," said Jim Albertini of Malu Aina, a sponsor of the event.  Featured speakers will be Leuren Moret, geo-scientist and international radiation consultant, and Dr. Lorin Pang, MD, a Maui medical practitioner who recently testified for Bill 1452 at the Hawaii Legislature in support of DU contamination testing at Schofield Barracks.

    

     Albertini said, "there is concern there may be DU contamination at Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) here on Hawaii Island.  Citizens have a right to know if that is in fact the case and what are the health hazards." 

 

     DU (Depleted Uranium) is a weapon used extensively by the U.S. in Iraq as an anti-armor piercing weapon.  When DU explodes, it forms minute particles of radioactive dust harmful to all living tissue.  Such tiny particles can be inhaled and ingested and they can cause many different kinds of health problems as a result of exposure.  DU dust can travel in the atmosphere around the world.

 

     Malu Aina supports providing DU testing for all returning Hawaii National Guard troops from Iraq.  The testing is important to establish a baseline exposure in the event of future health problems.  Malu Aina also supports DU testing around and down wind from all Hawaii live-fire military ranges, including PTA.

 

The educational program is free and open to all.

 

-Pau-

 

 

 

 

Malu`Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action is a non-profit organization that grows food to share with people in need, and works for justice, peace and preserving the environment.