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The chemical toxicity of depleted uranium is identical to that of natural uranium and about a million times greater in vivo than DU's radiological hazard, [101] with the kidney considered to be the main target organ. [102] Health effects of DU are determined by factors such as the extent of exposure and whether it was internal or external.
The use of depleted uranium (DU) in munitions is controversial because of questions about potential long-term health effects. [4] [5] [31] Normal functioning of the kidney, brain, liver, heart, and numerous other systems can be affected by uranium exposure, because uranium is a toxic metal. [2]
Depleted uranium is preferred over similarly dense metals due to its ability to be easily machined and cast as well as its relatively low cost. [22] The main risk of exposure to depleted uranium is chemical poisoning by uranium oxide rather than radioactivity (uranium being only a weak alpha emitter).
When fired, depleted uranium becomes ‘essentially an exotic metal dart fired at extraordinarily high speed’
When fired, depleted uranium becomes ‘essentially an exotic metal dart fired at extraordinarily high speed’
As a part of a $1 billion aid package, the United States announced this week that it is sending depleted anti-tank munitions to Ukraine to help Zelensky’s troops fend off Russian tanks. The ...
In general, uranium salts exhibit nephrotoxicity. Normal commercial stocks from depleted uranium have typical specific activity 0.37–0.51 microcuries per gram (14–19 kBq/g), too weak to harm from outside the body. However, uranyl acetate is very toxic if ingested, inhaled as dust, or absorbed through cut or abraded skin. [citation needed]
Depleted uranium consists mainly of 238 U which decays by alpha decay with a half-life of 4.468(3) × 10 9 years. Even if the uranium contained 235 U which decays with a similar half-life of about 7.038 × 10 8 years, both of them would still be regarded as weak alpha emitters and their radioactivity is only hazardous with direct contact or ...