Depleted Uranium

Depleted uranium (DU) is used in armour piercing ammunition because of its very high density. It has been used in two recent military campaigns, the Gulf War and Kosovo. The amount of radioactivity in DU is low, and is less than in naturally occurring uranium to which we are all exposed in, for example, drinking water. Concerns have been raised that DU contamination might present a health risk to both military personnel and civilian populations. There are two types of potential hazard posed by the use of DU: a chemical toxicity hazard and a radiation hazard. There are a number of ways in which either UK troops or civilians could be exposed to DU during or after these conflicts. The most likely risk would be if people enter areas that have been damaged and contaminated by DU ammunition. The risk depends on the chemical form of this contamination. If the contamination is soluble then DU could be absorbed in to the body following inhalation or ingestion. In this case the kidney is the organ most likely to be affected by the heavy metal chemical toxic effect of DU. If the areas are contaminated by insoluble uranium oxides, then any hazard would arise from disturbing the contamination and inhaling the dust. The insoluble dust could be deposited in the lungs and over a very long period could be a contributory cause of lung cancer. In both cases very large exposures would be required to cause a significant increase in the risk of either kidney damage or lung cancer.

People visiting or working in Kosovo, for example press and relief agencies, should seek advice from appropriate authorities on the disposition of damaged vehicles or areas of DU contamination and avoid disturbing these areas. If access to potentially contaminated areas is deemed essential, then advice should be sought from the Ministry of Defence ( www.mod.uk) or the Foreign Office ( www.fco.gov.uk) on any protective measures required.

Information on the test for uranium isotopes in urine that has been developed by the independent Depleted Uranium Oversight Board can be obtained from www.duob.org.uk.

July 1999
revised October 2004

Last reviewed: 7 December 2007