Britain began test firing depleted uranium shells at a range off the coast of Scotland today for the first time since the munitions were linked to a possible risk of cancer.
The Ministry of Defence said troops tested a new batch of the armour-piercing munitions at the Dundrennan range, sparking anger among residents along the shores of the estuary, the Solway Firth.
Controversy over the use of the tank-busting DU weapons by NATO in the Balkans in 1999 erupted after reports from Italy that six soldiers had died of leukaemia.
Britain, along with NATO and the United States, insists there is no proof that the munitions pose any health risk.
The ministry said there was no health risk involved with the tests, which had been planned for months and were expected to last for two days.
"Safety in all these matters is a very high priority," a defence spokesman said. "We are going to be checking accuracy of a new batch of penetrators by firing them at soft canvas targets. There will be no particle dispersion."
Health fears centre around inhaling the dust thrown up when the heavy shells slam into a ground target - most often a tank.
However local people are also concerned about possible contamination of the sea near where they live, and want the tests stopped while questions remain about public health.
The Campaign Against Depleted Uranium Weapons said it was stunned at Britain's decision after the European Parliament approved calls in January for a moratorium on the shells' use until the controversy had been cleared up.
"We believe in the precautionary principle. It seems the height of folly to still be testfiring them," a spokeswoman said.
Reuters