Cry from soldier, unrecognised victim of depleted uranium radiation « nuclear-news

Or until he dies.

Pascal Lacoste, who believes his steady decline in health began after he was exposed to depleted uranium in Bosnia in the 1990s, intends to stop eating on Nov. 5.

The Quebec City resident chose the date because he expects his weakened body to shut down six days later — on Remembrance Day.

Lacoste, 38, says Veterans Affairs Minister Steven Blaney and his department have denied his repeated requests for toxicology tests and decontamination treatments, even though his doctor says his body is carrying an unusually high level of uranium.

The government insists, however, it doesn’t see depleted uranium as a potential risk for vets because few, if any, Canadian soldiers have ever come into contact with it while in service…..

But Lacoste, who suffers from a degenerative neurological condition, infertility and chronic pain, insists he has all the necessary medical evidence to support his argument.

“If this is what my country expects from me — to die instead of being treated — then I accept my fate, except that I will do it publicly,” said Lacoste, who plans to spend the hunger strike in his white SUV, which will be parked in front of Blaney’s office in Levis, Que.

“It’s not a good life, it’s been 12 years of suffering. Man, I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.”

Depleted uranium, used in some types of ammunition and military armour, is the dense, low-cost leftover once uranium has been processed.

The metal is 40 per cent less radioactive than natural uranium and is not believed to be harmful unless dust from spent munitions or damaged armour is ingested, according to Veterans Affairs Canada.

Military equipment containing the substance was used in the 1990s during conflicts in the Balkans as well as the first Gulf War — both of which saw Canadian boots on the ground.

Because of this, Lacoste, who served in Bosnia in 1996-’97, maintains he’s not alone.

He believes there are other veterans struggling with the health impacts of depleted-uranium contamination, though they may not even know it.

“I’m at peace with the idea of sacrificing myself for my brothers in arms,” said Lacoste, who discovered he had an abnormally high level of uranium in his body in 2003, after his doctor tested his hair.

“If Minister Blaney allows me to die in front of his office, it will really shock public opinion.”

A high-ranking official from Veterans Affairs says a handful of vets mistakenly believe their bodies have been damaged by depleted uranium…..

Asked if there is a standard toxicology test for soldiers returning from tours abroad, the official replied: “No, because it’s viewed as essentially a non-issue.”

But despite this assertion, the Federal Court of Canada has found depleted uranium to be an issue.

The court ruled the Veterans Affairs Department must compensate retired serviceman Steve Dornan for a cancer his doctors say resulted from exposure to depleted uranium residue.

When asked about this, the official replied that it was people outside the department who linked Dornan’s cancer to depleted uranium…..

Lacoste’s Montreal-area physician, who suspects he has been poisoned with depleted uranium, said Ottawa must do more.

“There’s little doubt in my mind that he needs immediate attention and the advantage of further investigations,” said Dr. June Irwin, a dermatologist with an interest in environmental health who has been following Lacoste since 2003.

“This is a man who needs help.”…

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