- May 20, 2001
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Depleted uranium was used in the first Gulf War, and I don't know if it has been used yet in this war, but I have heard that it would be used. Anyone know more about whether or not it's been used and the effects?
What he said.Originally posted by: Emos
It's used in tank sabot and A-10 penetrator rounds. The very high density of the metal makes it suitable for punching through armor plate.
Originally posted by: iamWolverine
Depleted uranium was used in the first Gulf War, and I don't know if it has been used yet in this war, but I have heard that it would be used. Anyone know more about whether or not it's been used and the effects?
Originally posted by: Weyoun
These links should be helpful:
Depleted Uranium in the Gulf
Depleted Uranium Information
DU - Health Concerns
Basically, DU is used in the armor and shells of M1A1s and Challenger tanks. Iraq currently has no known capability to deploy DU munitions.
charrison, the after effects of DU ammunition are more of a concern to the cleanup crew and patrolling marines than the vehicle's (most likely EX) crew. As you can see from the above links, the US Army has three classifications for DU exposure, ranging from extreme to light, of which roughly 50 Servicemen in total were part. The main problem with fired DU munitions is the uranium dust that becomes airborne immediately after impact. This material isn't particularly radioactive, but has chemical properties similar to other heavy metals, like lead and mercury. These can form salts that, when in relatively high concentrations, can often cause internal organ failure. However, no known US serviceman has been exposed to such levels.
The dust nature of released DU has two important properties. Firstly, since it is airbourne, it can be carried by winds to nearby units or population centres. This isn't of serious concern, since the small amount of DU dust is largely confined to the target vehicle. Any amount that escapes from the chassis will be spread over a much greater area, reducing concentrations far below dangerous levels. Secondly, since the DU is confined to small quantities of dust contained in enclosed shells, its spread can be largely reduced by cleanup teams. Most of the DU dust can be removed, vastly reducing long term risk to civilians in close proximity. Furthermore, most tank battles of the 1991 Gulf War were fought in the desert, so any already unlikely soil contamination would be of reduced significance. Additionally, this particular soil contamination doesn't pose the 'biological accumulation' threat that most heavy metals do, since the desert isn't a very biologically active environment
Originally posted by: GuyDebordJudoClub
Nice try to disinform by the .mil
The truth is there:
Originally posted by: steell
The environmental effects of depleted uranium have been studied comprehensively by a wide range of governmental and non-governmental bodies both before and after the Gulf War. Burn tests and other evaluations performed under simulated battlefield conditions indicated that the health risks associated with the battlefield use of depleted uranium were minimal and even those could be reduced even more by simple, field-expedient measures, especially, avoidance of depleted uranium-contaminated vehicles and sites. During and after the Gulf War, personnel awareness of the hazards posed by battlefield depleted uranium contamination was generally low. As a result, many personnel did not practice field-expedient measures that would have prevented or mitigated possible exposures.
A quote from Here
Anyone else noticed how many newbies are in this forum spreading disinformation?
Originally posted by: FallenHero
Originally posted by: steell
The environmental effects of depleted uranium have been studied comprehensively by a wide range of governmental and non-governmental bodies both before and after the Gulf War. Burn tests and other evaluations performed under simulated battlefield conditions indicated that the health risks associated with the battlefield use of depleted uranium were minimal and even those could be reduced even more by simple, field-expedient measures, especially, avoidance of depleted uranium-contaminated vehicles and sites. During and after the Gulf War, personnel awareness of the hazards posed by battlefield depleted uranium contamination was generally low. As a result, many personnel did not practice field-expedient measures that would have prevented or mitigated possible exposures.
A quote from Here
Anyone else noticed how many newbies are in this forum spreading disinformation?
i have noticed. Kinda getting annoying. Anyway, I have a question. Is part of the M1A1 battle tanks armor made of DU? Like the front plating at all?
Originally posted by: charrison
Originally posted by: FallenHero
Originally posted by: steell
The environmental effects of depleted uranium have been studied comprehensively by a wide range of governmental and non-governmental bodies both before and after the Gulf War. Burn tests and other evaluations performed under simulated battlefield conditions indicated that the health risks associated with the battlefield use of depleted uranium were minimal and even those could be reduced even more by simple, field-expedient measures, especially, avoidance of depleted uranium-contaminated vehicles and sites. During and after the Gulf War, personnel awareness of the hazards posed by battlefield depleted uranium contamination was generally low. As a result, many personnel did not practice field-expedient measures that would have prevented or mitigated possible exposures.
A quote from Here
Anyone else noticed how many newbies are in this forum spreading disinformation?
i have noticed. Kinda getting annoying. Anyway, I have a question. Is part of the M1A1 battle tanks armor made of DU? Like the front plating at all?
Yes it is. DU is part of the armor.
Originally posted by: FallenHero
Originally posted by: charrison
Originally posted by: FallenHero
Originally posted by: steell
The environmental effects of depleted uranium have been studied comprehensively by a wide range of governmental and non-governmental bodies both before and after the Gulf War. Burn tests and other evaluations performed under simulated battlefield conditions indicated that the health risks associated with the battlefield use of depleted uranium were minimal and even those could be reduced even more by simple, field-expedient measures, especially, avoidance of depleted uranium-contaminated vehicles and sites. During and after the Gulf War, personnel awareness of the hazards posed by battlefield depleted uranium contamination was generally low. As a result, many personnel did not practice field-expedient measures that would have prevented or mitigated possible exposures.
A quote from Here
Anyone else noticed how many newbies are in this forum spreading disinformation?
i have noticed. Kinda getting annoying. Anyway, I have a question. Is part of the M1A1 battle tanks armor made of DU? Like the front plating at all?
Yes it is. DU is part of the armor.
Just confirming. Thanks.
Kinda throws the whole "DU is very very bad" thing into a tailspin, eh? All of our tank crews would be dead by now.
Originally posted by: charrison
DU is relativly stable with a 3.5billion year 1/2 life. It is not that radioactive. The problem is when it breaks up and gets aerosolized. Heavy metals in the body is generally bad.
Originally posted by: charrison
Originally posted by: iamWolverine
Depleted uranium was used in the first Gulf War, and I don't know if it has been used yet in this war, but I have heard that it would be used. Anyone know more about whether or not it's been used and the effects?
I am sure it has been used. If your vehicle was hit by a DU sabot, the after affects are the least of your worries.