Italian soldiers' cancer cause unclear

ROME, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Whether Italian soldiers are being felled by cancer from depleted uranium remains a matter of debate, a top government official said Tuesday.

Defense Minister Arturo Parisi told a legislative investigative panel that despite studies, the question of whether the radioactive material, used to coat shells and bullets to make them more effective, is poisoning Italy's military personnel remains an "area of complete uncertainty," ANSA reported.

When rounds with depleted uranium are fired, they release radioactive dust, which some say is to blame for cancer among soldiers. Parisi said 255 soldiers serving in the Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq or Lebanon between 1996 and 2006 later developed cancer, while there were 1,427 cases among soldiers serving in Italy during that period, the Italian news agency said.

"We are moving in an extremely limited sector of human understanding, where the precise link between cause and effect has yet to be ascertained," Parisi said.

But Parliament Member Tana de Zuleta questioned the ministry's methodology.

"I fear the minister's figures refer only to the number of soldiers who fell ill while in active service, and failed to take account of those who had left the military," said de Zuleta said.