Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsStill dangerous after 30 years - Uranium particles from DU weapons
With the use of DU munitions in both Iraq and Afghanistan it has to be seen as a war crime. madokie
(snip)
In other words, the uranium oxide particles from the testing were found to be strongly resistant to further corrosion; and the corrosion product meta-ankoleite is itself highly insoluble. So even 30 years after firing the particles would still present an inhalation hazard if resuspended.
This finding fits with the results of a study around a former speciality metals factory in Colonie north of New York. Researchers there showed that particles produced between the 1960s and 1980s were still intact and present in the environment.
In that case the particles had been produced through the incineration of DU, not by its use in weapons. However this new study demonstrates that DU residues from munitions use are similar in composition and persistence.
That these particles can survive for so long in the comparatively wet conditions of the UK and northern US suggest that particles in the arid conditions of Iraq may be even more long-lived.
This finding fits with the results of a study around a former speciality metals factory in Colonie north of New York. Researchers there showed that particles produced between the 1960s and 1980s were still intact and present in the environment.
In that case the particles had been produced through the incineration of DU, not by its use in weapons. However this new study demonstrates that DU residues from munitions use are similar in composition and persistence.
That these particles can survive for so long in the comparatively wet conditions of the UK and northern US suggest that particles in the arid conditions of Iraq may be even more long-lived.
http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_analysis/2261643/still_dangerous_after_30_years_uranium_particles_from_du_weapons.html
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
8 replies, 983 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (15)
ReplyReply to this post
8 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Still dangerous after 30 years - Uranium particles from DU weapons (Original Post)
madokie
Feb 2014
OP
I seriously thought I accidentally clicked on the lounge when I saw a title with DU weapons
Arcanetrance
Feb 2014
#4
No one could have predicted that heavy metal particles in the environment would be dangerous
Fumesucker
Feb 2014
#3
It will be dangerous for a while; the half-life of uranium is somewhat longish:
unhappycamper
Feb 2014
#6
PCIntern
(25,623 posts)1. I never understood the long-range power of this website!
Maybe I better get a screen shield!
On edit: sorry...it was a hanging curve over the plate....
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)2. More like T-ball
Arcanetrance
(2,670 posts)4. I seriously thought I accidentally clicked on the lounge when I saw a title with DU weapons
My mind didn't make the connection to depleted uranium
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)3. No one could have predicted that heavy metal particles in the environment would be dangerous
/The Very Serious People
PCIntern
(25,623 posts)5. I know...
who'da thunk it?
the fact is...they didn't give a good goddam what happened or happens to anyone...
ReRe
(10,597 posts)7. They didn't even care....
... about our soldiers who inhaled that poison and lived in it for almost 9 years. Remember the number of guys/gals who spent several tours over there? Using depleted uranium damn sure is a war crime.
unhappycamper
(60,364 posts)6. It will be dangerous for a while; the half-life of uranium is somewhat longish:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uranium
In nature, uranium is found as uranium-238 (99.273999.2752%), uranium-235 (0.71980.7202%), and a very small amount of uranium-234 (0.00500.0059%).[4] Uranium decays slowly by emitting an alpha particle. The half-life of uranium-238 is about 4.47 billion years and that of uranium-235 is 704 million years,[5] making them useful in dating the age of the Earth.
In nature, uranium is found as uranium-238 (99.273999.2752%), uranium-235 (0.71980.7202%), and a very small amount of uranium-234 (0.00500.0059%).[4] Uranium decays slowly by emitting an alpha particle. The half-life of uranium-238 is about 4.47 billion years and that of uranium-235 is 704 million years,[5] making them useful in dating the age of the Earth.
Mnemosyne
(21,363 posts)8. K&R nt