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Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, June 9, 1998
On June 9, 1998, Cameco provided the media with additional information regarding the truck accident in Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia that resulted in a spill of sodium cyanide on May 20, 1998 (see previous news releases). There is still no evidence available to the experts which suggests a link between cyanide and the reported illnesses and deaths.
Cameco has encouraged outside professionals to go to Kyrgyzstan in order to provide independent reports. At this time a group of physicians and experts in health and environment have assembled in Kyrgyzstan to assess the situation.
The first document below outlines the process this group will use in their assessment. The second document prepared by World Health Organization experts, outlines their preliminary conclusions. Their main conclusion is:
"It is unlikely that as many as 2000 (or more) patients have experienced a cyanide intoxification, due to the absence of possibilities of relevant exposure after the first few days."
Nevertheless, many questions remain to be answered, questions which will be addressed in the course of the experts' work.
For further information see 1998 news releases.
Agenda of Meeting Between International Commission and Minister of Health (Kyrgyzstan) - June 9th 1998