Quality of Life (Banja Luka) 3(1-2): 27-31

Impact of Depleted Uranium Weapons Use on the Quality of the Environment in Kosovo

DEJAN GUREŠIĆ^1*, NENAD DRAŠKOVIĆ¹, VELJKO ĐUKIĆ^2
1Faculty of Agriculture, Kopaonicka bb, 38219 Lesak, Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia
²Pan-European University Apeiron, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract: During the bombing campaign of the then Federal Republic of Yugoslavia there was a significant deterioration of environmental quality, especially in Kosovo: causing significant disturbance to the health of the population, disturbance of the natural balance of the environment, polluting land, air, water and underground water courses, damaging flora and fauna, degrading the natural ecosystems and biodiversity in general, etc. It is certain that the consequences of the bombing with DU will be long and that they caused significant threats to the environment not only on local but also on regional and global levels.

The use of DU ammunition can be considered ecological disaster, with long-lasting and unpredictable consequences for the population and the environment. When it comes to our living space, it is certain that the environmental rehabilitation today is a challenge of a wider Balkan region and if the problem is not quickly fixed the whole area will become hazardous for living.

Keywords: Depleted uranium, military use, ecological consequences, monitoring