We've known for over 20 years that there are risks. But we don't think those risks are significant. The 1990 warning came from the US-based Science Applications International Corporation. There have been other warnings. DU has been blamed for a number of leukaemia cases among former peacekeepers who served in the Balkans.
Veterans also say it contributed to health problems suffered after the Gulf War.
And there is concern for civilians, especially in Iraq, where a huge increase in some forms of cancer and birth defects has been reported since the war ended in 1991.