Depleted Uranium – Health Considerations To Think About
The use of uranium to make weapons for the Department of Defense and the US military has been known about for decades. It is an element on the periodic table, number 92, that has an erratic half-life ranging between about 100 years to over 4.5 billion years. The isotopes for uranium are plentiful, with 238 being the most common. It is in fact the most abundant form of uranium, possessing 146 neutrons, that can be found anywhere in nature. Although it does have a very high atomic weight, it is the only thing the lighter than plutonium. It has a density that is comparable to lead, and when the radioactivity has been depleted from this element, you have what is called depleted uranium. Although this is the result of what was once a very deadly substance, it is actually used in civilian and military applications every single day. Although its use has been cut back dramatically, and there are thoughts that its use, especially during the Gulf War, actually lead to Gulf War syndrome, this substance is used all over the world for many different reasons.
Uses For Depleted Uranium
Made from uranium hexaflouride, which is the most common byproduct from the enrichment process of uranium when developing it for military and nuclear applications, this substance, called uranium 238 isotope, may actually contain toxic heavy metals, even those as deadly as plutonium. According to most studies, DU is not so much a hazard that can harm people from the outside, but can be very detrimental from the inside, which is why it's use with dental products causes many people to question its safety. It has also been shown that dodger products, those which emit gamma rays and beta particles, can cause radiological damage to the human body as well. Although it only has a natural occurrence at just over 2 ppm, it is because the substance is so malleable, lustrous, and ductile that the nonradioactive version of uranium is so popular. When used with products produced today. For the military, they will use it to create kinetic energy penetrators. Many of the munitions that are made are created with DU, as well as radiation shielding products, armor, and sometimes in road and structural materials. It can be used for aircraft ballasts, oil well drilling equipment, and shielding primarily because of its weight, and density. But is it actually safe to use under normal circumstances? Let's look at its safety track record.
Health Considerations Using Depleted Uranium
There are quite a few health considerations that have been brought up over the last few decades. Many of these concerns are genuine problems. Some people have been diagnosed with cancer as a result of being in contact with DU, affecting their brain, liver, and heart. Although this typically does occur with exposure to energized uranium, that which has not yet been depleted, it is still considered to be a toxic metal because there is always a slight amount of radioactivity left, which can lead to potential damage in danger. As mentioned before, during the Gulf War, it is thought that the sheer volume of DU that was used for armor, armored vehicles, and all of the munitions that were used contributed to the many multifaceted conditions that Gulf War veterans claimed to have. Once it was shown that these were legitimate claims that were affecting thousands of soldiers, it was brought to the attention of the medical professionals about how much depleted uranium had been used during this time of war. It also has some chemical toxicity, sometimes harming the human kidney, the main target of this very subtle form of radiation. It is through constant exposure, however, that this type of damage is possible, other than the ingestion or inhalation of this material directly into the body.
Uranium Toxicity Studies
It is worth noting that back in 2004, there were some studies done about the effect of continued exposure to depleted uranium and its potential effects on the human body. Many of the tests that were done showed that there was the possibility that bone, muscle, brain tissue, skin, and even the lungs were susceptible to these subtle amounts of radiation. These studies led to understanding that there were also radiological hazards to consider. It is mainly caused by Alpha particles, particles, which don't travel that far through the air, nor do they have the possibility of penetrating clothing. It was only after a month of the study that it was realized that beta particles were also being emitted, the result of changes in the uranium 238 decay. This was evidence that was used to substantiate both war veterans and their claims, showing that it is possible for radiation to be admitted, even from depleted forms of uranium. One of the main problems that was also discussed, and observed was harm to the immune system. It is thought that it was able to stop the white cell count from getting very high, leading to the possibility of developing disease in the body and a much more rapid rate. Until further studies are done, the work that has been accomplished, serves as a reminder that DU is not always safe. Hopefully, we will find a substitute for this material, but until that time, limited exposure to it is always recommended if you want to protect your body and live in much longer life.
Uses For Depleted Uranium
Made from uranium hexaflouride, which is the most common byproduct from the enrichment process of uranium when developing it for military and nuclear applications, this substance, called uranium 238 isotope, may actually contain toxic heavy metals, even those as deadly as plutonium. According to most studies, DU is not so much a hazard that can harm people from the outside, but can be very detrimental from the inside, which is why it's use with dental products causes many people to question its safety. It has also been shown that dodger products, those which emit gamma rays and beta particles, can cause radiological damage to the human body as well. Although it only has a natural occurrence at just over 2 ppm, it is because the substance is so malleable, lustrous, and ductile that the nonradioactive version of uranium is so popular. When used with products produced today. For the military, they will use it to create kinetic energy penetrators. Many of the munitions that are made are created with DU, as well as radiation shielding products, armor, and sometimes in road and structural materials. It can be used for aircraft ballasts, oil well drilling equipment, and shielding primarily because of its weight, and density. But is it actually safe to use under normal circumstances? Let's look at its safety track record.
Health Considerations Using Depleted Uranium
There are quite a few health considerations that have been brought up over the last few decades. Many of these concerns are genuine problems. Some people have been diagnosed with cancer as a result of being in contact with DU, affecting their brain, liver, and heart. Although this typically does occur with exposure to energized uranium, that which has not yet been depleted, it is still considered to be a toxic metal because there is always a slight amount of radioactivity left, which can lead to potential damage in danger. As mentioned before, during the Gulf War, it is thought that the sheer volume of DU that was used for armor, armored vehicles, and all of the munitions that were used contributed to the many multifaceted conditions that Gulf War veterans claimed to have. Once it was shown that these were legitimate claims that were affecting thousands of soldiers, it was brought to the attention of the medical professionals about how much depleted uranium had been used during this time of war. It also has some chemical toxicity, sometimes harming the human kidney, the main target of this very subtle form of radiation. It is through constant exposure, however, that this type of damage is possible, other than the ingestion or inhalation of this material directly into the body.
Uranium Toxicity Studies
It is worth noting that back in 2004, there were some studies done about the effect of continued exposure to depleted uranium and its potential effects on the human body. Many of the tests that were done showed that there was the possibility that bone, muscle, brain tissue, skin, and even the lungs were susceptible to these subtle amounts of radiation. These studies led to understanding that there were also radiological hazards to consider. It is mainly caused by Alpha particles, particles, which don't travel that far through the air, nor do they have the possibility of penetrating clothing. It was only after a month of the study that it was realized that beta particles were also being emitted, the result of changes in the uranium 238 decay. This was evidence that was used to substantiate both war veterans and their claims, showing that it is possible for radiation to be admitted, even from depleted forms of uranium. One of the main problems that was also discussed, and observed was harm to the immune system. It is thought that it was able to stop the white cell count from getting very high, leading to the possibility of developing disease in the body and a much more rapid rate. Until further studies are done, the work that has been accomplished, serves as a reminder that DU is not always safe. Hopefully, we will find a substitute for this material, but until that time, limited exposure to it is always recommended if you want to protect your body and live in much longer life.