Analysis of Soil Samples from Kosovo

A number of soil samples were collected from locations in Kosovo by staff of the Defense Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). Twenty three samples were collected from DERA, Portsmouth and transported in two Aluminium trunks to British Geological Survey (BGS) on 14 February 2001 for geochemical analysis for the determination of lead and uranium and particle size analysis if significant uranium content was encountered. All samples had been screened by gamma ray spectrometry at DERA to identify which samples had significant uranium signatures and were thus likely to be contaminated with depleted uranium. During sampling at one site, VJ Barracks, it was noted that a building close to the sampling sites had had an asbestos roof. Consequently, 8 were identified as having suspicion of containing asbestos, in varying amounts from ‘likely’ to ‘caution required’ (Table 1).