Do your own research. DU is toxic and causes birth defects. You may recall the ONLY nuclear power to use it is....USA! USA! USA!
Try starting with Stanford
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Hazards of Depleted Uranium Depleted Uranium is a possible carcinogen and potential health hazard. [7] All uranium isotopes decay alpha particles of various energy until reaching a non radioactive isotope of lead. Alpha particles has low penetrating power but deposit large amount of energy. Therefore exposure effect of DU is the mainly the result of its ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact. [1] Entry of uranium into the body thus results in a combined chemical/radiation exposure.
Ingestion pathways include ingestion of soil by children through hand contamination or through livestock. Uranium transfer from soil to pasture grass is negligible. [1] Uptake of uranium with drinking water is one of the major ways of ingestion pathway (UNSCEAR, 2000). About 2-5% of ingested soluble uranium (such as UF6) is absorbed into the body from the intestines and the rest is eliminated rapidly. For insoluble DU, 0.2% is absorbed into the blood and about 90% will be filtered by the kidneys within the first week. [7] The remaining DU will be distributed to organs and tissues where it will persist for a few weeks to 25 years. [1] Although gastrointestinal absorption is not a major pathway of uranium exposure, high intake of DU over a long period of time will impair or cause failure of organ functions such as kidney, liver, heart and brain leading to death. [7]
Inhalation of DU is significant in war zones where DU munitions are used. DU munitions create DU aerosol upon impact due to its low melting point and pyrophoricity. Inhaled particles smaller than 10 µm can reach deeper pulmonary regions and deposit for a significant amount of time, leading to longer exposure. DU aerosols are also created when DU are burnt in the case of NLI plant in Colonie, New York emitted many metric tons of uranium aerosols. DU enter the body systemically and form deposits in bones and other organs once uranium is deposited in the lungs. [7] Leakage of depleted UF6 from tanks is another factor of inhalation exposure. (D)UF6 is a soluble uranium compound and are absorbed within days while insoluble forms generally take months to years. [7] Toxic chemical effects are mostly associated with soluble forms of uranium while radiation effects are associated with the insoluble form. [1] Approximately 10% of the dissolved uranium reaching the blood compartment is deposited in bones, kidneys and other organs. About 6.4% of inhaled soluble DU and 0.3% of inhaled insoluble DU is ultimately transferred to the kidneys (CHPPM, 2000). Similar to ingestion pathway, inhalation of DU aerosols can also induce kidney failure.
Dermal contact is another routes that uranium can enter the body. The amount of uranium absorbed depends on factors such as solubility, length of time, exposed size and physical and physiological conditions. [7] Animal studies shows that uranium content is the highest in kidney and bone when uranium is embedded in them. This led to the conclusion that kidney and bone are the reservoir for uranium redistribution for embedded uranium. [1]
Studies of local population and soldiers of the gulf war showed increased immune system disorders, birth defect, neurocognitive disorders and cancer. DU is considered to be the possible cause as DU munitions are used widely in the gulf war. [8] |
