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When one hears the
word “uranium,” images of nuclear reactors, atomic bombs, and
perhaps radiation sickness come to mind. While uranium has applications
within these contexts, Depleted Uranium (DU) serves other, very
important functions, both military and otherwise.
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Uranium
is said to be "depleted" when the most radioactive
components have been removed by the process of enrichment, usually
for use in reactors or atomic weapons, and you are simply left
with a heavy metal, not altogether different from lead. Of course
radioactivity still exists in DU, but in such trace amounts
that there would be no cause for concern unless it is ingested.
DU is generally not harmful if merely handled, but when it explodes
and burns it has been ingested by soldiers and civilians.
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DU storage facilities
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Source:http://cseserv.engr.scu.edu/StudentWebPages/IPesic/ResearchPaper_files/image014.jpg
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Military Applications
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Since its discovery more than 40 years ago, it is not surprising
that the U.S. military has taken a keen interest in DU and its
potential on the battlefield. What makes Depleted Uranium so
valuable? One reason is its inherent density. A standard anti-tank
round, once fitted with a DU rod, can penetrate even the thickest
armor, reducing the quantity of high explosive needed. Instead
of merely glancing off the protective shield of the tank, DU
will literally punch a hole through the thick armor, making
it much easier to disable tanks and other heavy weaponry at
longer ranges. In the first Gulf War, nearly one million DU
rounds were used to knock out Iraqi tanks and personnel vehicles.
In addition to its use in munitions, DU is used in the armor
plating of certain U.S. tanks to further strengthen their protective
capabilities. The United States Department of Energy has so
much UF6, or Hexaflouride, which DU is derived from, stored
at various sites, that any use that increases disposal of this
waste product is welcomed by the nuclear industry. (www.nevadaexperience.org).
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Depleted Uranium
has been used in warfare in many parts of the world. During
NATO operations in Kosovo, U.S. A-10 ground attack aircraft
used 31,000 or more shells containing DU, according to then
Secretary General of NATO March Lord Robertson. A-10s are also
known as "Warthogs" and are most commonly used in
the attacks on tanks. These same munitions nearly 11,000, were
also used in Bosnia by U.S. forces and have been said to be
responsible for a range of cancers, leukemia, and mysterious
ailments collectively known as "Balkans Syndrome."
(http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/22068.htm)
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Even after these
problems emerged, U.S. warplanes apparently further used DU
in Afghanistan in an attempt to penetrate caves and bunkers
and again to combat enemy tanks. The use of DU in this area
is a large concearn, because of Afghanistan's arid climate.
The lack of moisture and precipitation leaves DU dust on the
surface for much larger amounts of time. (http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/51/123html)
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The negative effects
of DU on civilians and militatry personnel have been documented
throughout the world. One example of this is the U.S. DU "clean
up" team in Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. Being issued
no safety gear, most of the original team has developed health
problems and some have even died, according to 12th Preventative
Medicine Command health physicist Doug Rokke. Rokke claims that
the Department of Defense does not want the liability. He received
a faxed memorandum from a government official saying, "we
didn't find anything that would disrupt the military's use of
DU. They were using it-- period." (http://wwwxs4all.nl/~stgvisie/VISIE/Kosovo-du-test.html)
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Source: http://www.nato.int/du/graphics/Depleted-Uranium-Penetrator.jpg
 Source: http://web.ead.anl.gov/uranium/uses/images/R&DUses1.gif
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Non-
Military Applications
In addition to the military, DU is useful in many civilian applications.
It is very inexpensive and has a high specific weight, so it is
ideally used where maximum mass in a limited volume is required.
It is used in stabilizing rudders for both airplanes and boats,
again due to its density and strength. Some other relatively interesting
uses for DU include the manufacture of pigments and dies, as well
as in the porcelain used in false teeth to replicate the shine
of actual human teeth. Also, because of its excellent shielding
properties for gamma radiation, it can be used in containers for
spent fuel rods from nuclear power plants. Most uses of DU are
unrelated to its radioactive properties since more than 40% of
the radioactivity is stripped for weapons grade applications (www.nato.int/du/home.htm).
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Military
Position
The hazards associated with DU are relatively insignificant with
respect to its radioactivity. DU is a highly toxic heavy metal
with a radioactive half-life of four and one-half billion years.
Due to its low levels of alpha, and beta radiation, which fail
to penetrate even clothes, DU causes unwarranted concern based
on its association with the word “uranium”. However, like any
radioactive substance, when ingested, it can cause moderate problems.
Soldiers who come into contact with vehicles or objects that have
been hit with exploded rounds may be subjected to a higher risk
due to the inhalation of contaminated dust particles. Wearing
a gas or dust mask will reduce if not eliminate the risk of exposure
soldiers face (www.gulflink.osd.mil/faq
_17apr.htm ).
- Critics'
Position
Predictably, the Pentagon
denies any health or environmental risks from the use of DU munitions,
but there are a good number of critics who claim that the Pentagon
is outright lying. While publicly claiming DU is not a hazard, the
US quietly outfitted its troops with head-to-toe protective gear.
We may never know the full dangers and health risks DU poses because
of government cover-ups and scandals. (http://wwwxs4all.nl/~stgvisie/VISIE/Kosovo-du-test.html)
On the battlefield,
as well as off, DU has a number of valuable uses. When handled
as a metal, Depleted Uranium is safe. When it explodes it is released
as a dust that can contaminate and will be ingested by humans
and animals alike.
For Further Information on Depleted Uranium:
http://www.gulflink.osd.mil/faq_17apr.html
http://www.tv.cbc.ca/national/pgminfo/du/
http://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q1234.html
- http://www.nevadadesertexperience.org/poisonfireDU.html
http://www.nato.int/du/home.htm
- http://www.worldwidewamm.org
http://www.rense.com/general6/koso.htm
http://www.antenna.nl/wise/uranium/index.html#DU
http://wwwxs4all.nl/~stgvisie/VISIE/Kosovo-du-test.html
http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/22068.htm
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