From the Campaign Against Depleted Uranium's web site (http://www.cadu.org.uk/):
"...depleted uranium is also radiologically hazardous, as it spontaneously burns on impact, creating tiny aerosolised glass particles which are small enough to be inhaled. These uranium oxide particles emit all types of radiation, alpha, beta and gamma, and can be carried in the air over long distances. Depleted uranium has a half life of 4.5 billion years, and the presence of depleted uranium ceramic aerosols can pose a long term threat to human health and the environment."
Depleted uranium isn't radiologically hazardous. It's not at all dangerous because of radiation. It's the uranium left after the radioactive isotopes have been refined and removed.
It's chemically toxic. Just like, you know, lead is.
But it would make a much less alarming headline to the ignorant to say "ABC News Has Learned That The Government Is Not Detecting Lead We've Shipped!"
If its depleted uranium, what's the big deal?
Posted by unf | Link to this comment | 09-10-03 10:10 PM
From the Campaign Against Depleted Uranium's web site (http://www.cadu.org.uk/):
"...depleted uranium is also radiologically hazardous, as it spontaneously burns on impact, creating tiny aerosolised glass particles which are small enough to be inhaled. These uranium oxide particles emit all types of radiation, alpha, beta and gamma, and can be carried in the air over long distances. Depleted uranium has a half life of 4.5 billion years, and the presence of depleted uranium ceramic aerosols can pose a long term threat to human health and the environment."
Posted by Bob | Link to this comment | 09-11-03 7:12 AM
Thanks for not mentioning 9/11, as you can see we're too haughty anyway about it!
Posted by LARRY ZIEGLER | Link to this comment | 09-11-03 9:42 AM
No doubt ABC News was going to use it to manufacture armor piercing shells.
Posted by unf | Link to this comment | 09-12-03 10:08 AM
Depleted uranium isn't radiologically hazardous. It's not at all dangerous because of radiation. It's the uranium left after the radioactive isotopes have been refined and removed.
It's chemically toxic. Just like, you know, lead is.
But it would make a much less alarming headline to the ignorant to say "ABC News Has Learned That The Government Is Not Detecting Lead We've Shipped!"
Posted by Gary Farber | Link to this comment | 09-12-03 5:23 PM