Hartford, CT – State Rep. Ted Graziani (D-East Windsor and Ellington), a member of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, is pleased to announce passage of a bill that would address the damaging effects of depleted uranium on Connecticut National Guard members.

Depleted uranium is a radioactive material found in military weaponry whose particles can enter the body and affect the central nervous system. The Depleted Uranium Bill would establish a task force to study the health effects of exposure to hazardous materials like depleted uranium in military service. The bill would also help eligible guards members get testing for exposure to uranium and determine whether their service is likely to involve, or to have involved, exposure to depleted uranium.

"This bill is an important step towards helping service members who have been effected by depleted uranium in the recent wars. Depleted uranium could pose a serious health risk to our soldiers, like the agent orange of the past. We have a good opportunity through this bill to protect Connecticut service members from the effects of depleted uranium and help prevent contact." said Rep. Graziani.

Depleted uranium is what is left over when most of the highly radioactive types (isotopes) of uranium are removed for use as nuclear fuel or nuclear weapons. The effects of depleted uranium exposure can be debilitating. Kidney disease, lung cancer, and skin disease are among the possible diseases that have been tied to the hazardous material.

While the Depleted Uranium Bill applies to all Connecticut National Guard members, it is especially relevant to Connecticut service members who served in the Persian Gulf War, or an area designated as a combat zone by the President during Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom, when exposure to depleted uranium in weapons was significant.

State Rep. Graziani serves the 57th General Assembly District. He is Vice Chair of the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee and a member of the Banks Committee and the Select Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.