c/world · by terkaz@discuss.online · 3y

The US will send depleted uranium munitions to Ukraine – a health physicist explains their military, health and environmental effects

https://theconversation.com/the-us-will-send-depleted-uranium-munitions-to-ukraine-a-health-physicist-explains-their-military-health-and-environmental-effects-207699

34 points · 4 comments · view on lemmy.world

4 Comments

fubo@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 3y (2 replies)

My understanding is that DU is only a little more harmful than lead, which is a toxic metal that remains popular for ammunition all over the world for the same reason: its density.

ActuallyASeal@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 3y (1 reply)

Pretty much what the article says.

The alpha radiation that DU emits is not strong enough to penetrate human skin, so just being near depleted uranium is not a health risk. But it may become a health hazard if it is ingested or inhaled, or shrapnel fragments are retained in the body.

It's really just one more hazard a former battlefield can have. If I was in or around a former battlefield that had DU rounds used, I would be more concerned about unexploded high explosives.

fubo@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 3y

I don't wanna inhale lead vapors either. Let's try to avoid having wars.

ActuallyASeal@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 3y

Very informative article.

DU also has nonmilitary applications. Its high density makes it useful for stopping radiation in medical, research and nuclear facilities.

I find it funny a source of radiation, admittedly safe alpha radiation as long as it is outside of you, is used as radiation shielding.