Concerns Raised by the Use of Depleted Uranium DU is released from fired weapons in the form of small particles or dust that may be inhaled, ingested or remain in the environment. DU weapons may affect the health of the populations living in the conflict areas in the Gulf and the Balkans. The effects of DU on human health are complex, due to its chemical form that enters the body, and may be caused by both chemical and radiological mechanisms. Information on health and environmental effects of uranium is limited. For the radiation effects of DU, the picture is further complicated since most data refer to the health effects of natural and enriched uranium.
Internal exposure occurs by ingestion and inhalation.
In the military environment, wounds represent an additional route of exposure if these are caused by the impact of DU projectiles or armour. Uranium is distributed to the kidney, bones and liver. The time for half of the uranium to be excreted in the urine has been estimated to be in the range from 180 to 360 days. The types of damage that have been observed are nodular changes to the surface of the kidney, lesions to the tubular epithelium and increased levels of glucose and protein in the urine. Exposure to alpha and beta radiation from inhaled insoluble DU particles may therefore lead to lung tissue damage and increase the probability of lung cancer.