[lbo-talk] Estimates of radiological risk from depleted uranium weapons in war scenarios.

Michael Pugliese michael098762001 at earthlink.net
Thu Sep 30 08:18:10 PDT 2004


True? http://www.pdhealth.mil/downloads/Chem-Rad-DU.pdf
>...Once absorbed in the blood stream, uranium circulates as the
uranyl ion (U0 22 +), forming uranium-carbonate and uranium- albumin complexes. 24 Approximately 90% of a single uranium exposure is renally eliminated in the first 24 hours. 14 The re- maining 10% is rapidly redistributed to the bones and other organs. Sixty-six percent of the total uranium body burden resides in the skeleton, where the uranyl ion codeposits with calcium. 14.20 The average human body contains approximately 100 µg of uranium. 14 The kidney, liver, and muscle are the major extraskeletal sites of uranium deposition with the kidney potentially acting as a second site of long-term storage. 24 25 Nor- mal urinary uranium excretion levels range from 0.04 to 0.5 µg/L urine.' 4 Radiobiological Characteristics of DU The radiological effects of DU are considered a "negligeable hazard." 14 Because of the very long half-lives of the individual radioisotopes (234 U , 245,000 years; 235 U, 704 X 10 6 years; and 238 U, 4,470 X 10 6 years), the specific activity of uranium is low. 20.26 The predominant radioisotope, 238 U, also has the long- est half-life and therefore the lowest specific activity. Placed in perspective, radon has a specific activity 10,000 times greater than naturally occurring uranium. By its very nature, DU con- tains only 50% to 60% of the radioactivity of naturally occurring uranium. 19.20.26 DU is approximately 3 million times less radio- active than Ra-226 found in luminous clocks and watches and 10 million times less radioactive than Am-241 found in fire detectors.'' Uranium emits α, β, and γ ionizing radiation. 27.28 Although α particles are the primary radiation hazard, these particles are unable to penetrate the superficial layers of dead skin and so do not pose any external radiation risk. 9 These α particles do pose a potential hazard upon inhalation, ingestion, or contamination of open wounds. β and γ radiation, although present in much lower activities, do represent a potential external radiation haz- ard. Calculated potential whole body radiation doses in tank crew members have demonstrated levels of 0.00001 to 0.00013 rem/h (0.001-0.013 Sv/h) above ambient background. 23 The maximum possible annual whole body radiation dose in a sce- nario involving continuous exposure would be 2.6 rem (260 Sv), which is one-half the current annual occupational exposure limit. Direct contact with DU ammunition produces a skin dose rate of 0.2 rem/h, predominantly through β particle emis- sions. 23 Direct skin contact for 250 hours per year would be required to exceed current occupational skin dose limits

Michael Pugliese



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