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UK to study health of nuke test veterans

UK to study health of nuke test veterans Sydney Morning Herald April 22, 2009 – 12:24AMVeterans of Britain’s nuclear tests in Australia during the 1950s and their descendants will be the subject of a health study by the Ministry of Defence (MOD).The MOD announced on Tuesday it would join representatives of the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association and MPs in a working group to finalise details of the research and identify a sample group to study……………………The MOD also plans to follow up on a New Zealand study that showed an apparent link between changes to veterans’ chromosomes and their participation in tests at Christmas Island…………………..

From 1952-58 the UK conducted atmospheric nuclear tests in Australia and at Malden Island and Christmas Island in the Pacific Ocean.

Some 28,000 UK Service personnel were involved in the testing programme.

Many veterans say they suffered health problems as a result of their exposure to radiation, leading to claims for compensation.

The British government has frequently denied there is any evidence of excess illness or mortality amongst the veterans which could be linked to their participation in the tests or exposure to resulting radiation.

UK to study health of nuke test veterans

April 22, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized