Military use of depleted uranium: assessment of prolonged population exposure

Giannardi, C.; Dominici, D.

doi:10.1016/s0265-931x(02)00051-6

Cited by 36 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Titanium was part of the original DU ammunition used at this site, and is a common component (0.75% by weight) in DU penetrators used in recent conflicts (Giannardi and Dominici, 2003;Pollanen et al, 2003). SEM/EDS and electron microprobe data possibly suggest that the Ti dissolved and re-precipitated in association with the uranium (Figure 6).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Corrosion of Depleted Uranium in an Arid Environment: Soil-Geomorphology, SEM/EDS, XRD, and Electron Microprobe Analyses

Buck

Brock

Johnson

et al. 2004

Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal

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Corrosion of anthropogenic uranium in natural environments is not well understood, but is important for determining potential health risks and mobility in the environment. A site in the southwestern United States contains depleted uranium that has been weathering for approximately 22 years. Soil-geomorphic, SEM/EDS, XRD, and electron microprobe analyses were conducted to determine the processes controlling the uranium corrosion. Schoepite and metaschoepite are the primary products of corrosion, and occur as silica-cemented, mixed schoepite-metaschoepite/clay/silt aggregates, as schoepite/metaschoepite-only aggregates, or rarely as coatings upon soil grains. Current extraction procedures do not adequately explain the behavior of uranium in alkaline soils when amorphous silica and clay coatings are present. Soil geomorphology and chemistry at this site limit uranium mobility and decreases potential health risks. However, if land-use and/or regional climate changes occur, uranium mobility could increase.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Corrosion of Depleted Uranium in an Arid Environment: Soil-Geomorphology, SEM/EDS, XRD, and Electron Microprobe Analyses

Buck

Brock

Johnson

et al. 2004

Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal

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“…The available high quality bioassay that quantifies an individual's internal DU exposure relies on mass spectrometry of 24-hour urine samples, at a cost of about $1,000 [63]. Efforts to theoretically model dispersal of DU aerosols [3,64] or the amount of DU present in the soil and air some months after use in war [4,65,66] are very recent.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Teratogenicity of depleted uranium aerosols: A review from an epidemiological perspective

2005

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BackgroundDepleted uranium is being used increasingly often as a component of munitions in military conflicts. Military personnel, civilians and the DU munitions producers are being exposed to the DU aerosols that are generated.MethodsWe reviewed toxicological data on both natural and depleted uranium. We included peer reviewed studies and gray literature on birth malformations due to natural and depleted uranium. Our approach was to assess the "weight of evidence" with respect to teratogenicity of depleted uranium.ResultsAnimal studies firmly support the possibility that DU is a teratogen. While the detailed pathways by which environmental DU can be internalized and reach reproductive cells are not yet fully elucidated, again, the evidence supports plausibility. To date, human epidemiological data include case examples, disease registry records, a case-control study and prospective longitudinal studies.DiscussionThe two most significant challenges to establishing a causal pathway between (human) parental DU exposure and the birth of offspring with defects are: i) distinguishing the role of DU from that of exposure to other potential teratogens; ii) documentation on the individual level of extent of parental DU exposure. Studies that use biomarkers, none yet reported, can help address the latter challenge. Thoughtful triangulation of the results of multiple studies (epidemiological and other) of DU teratogenicity contributes to disentangling the roles of various potentially teratogenic parental exposures. This paper is just such an endeavor.ConclusionIn aggregate the human epidemiological evidence is consistent with increased risk of birth defects in offspring of persons exposed to DU.

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“…The chemical toxicity of DU in soil has raised health concerns world-wide due to its military deployment (Bleise et al 2003, Burkart et al 2005, Giannardi and Domenici 2003, McLaughlin 2005 as well as widespread civilian uses (Betti 2003, Hamilton 2001. This concern has generated interest in the remediation of soils contaminated with DU in the course of combat operations, as well as sustainable use of DU weapons testing ranges in this country.…”

Section: Depleted Uraniummentioning

confidence: 99%

Separation of Depleted Uranium From Soil

Larson¹,

Ballard²,

Medina³

et al. 2009

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Dry and wet physical separation processes were tested at Yuma Proving Ground to remove depleted uranium (DU) from soil. Four sample locations were tested that had varied uranium concentration, weathering, and aging of fired, DU residues. Reduction of soil DU concentration was achieved using simple vibratory or agitated screening techniques. For soils into which the DU had been recently fired, these techniques were successful at removing a large fraction (>70 percent) of the total uranium present (by mass). A heavy liquid separation process based on a water/sodium polytungstate solution was tested. This produced a sinking fraction that contained nearly 100-percent uranium and uranium oxide by mass for the less weathered soils. However, this type of wet separation is not currently practical for field use. A water-based separation process using an angled vibrating table to facilitate gravity transport of separated DU was also tested. This method produced a fraction of concentrated uranium along with fractions of soil particles with reduced densities. However, this process required extensive particle size separation prior to use and produced a contaminated waste stream that required secondary treatment. The extent to which DU and DU residues could be removed from the Yuma soils depended on the extent of soil weathering and corrosion of the DU alloy.

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Military use of depleted uranium: assessment of prolonged population exposure

Cited by 36 publications

References 7 publications

Corrosion of Depleted Uranium in an Arid Environment: Soil-Geomorphology, SEM/EDS, XRD, and Electron Microprobe Analyses

Corrosion of Depleted Uranium in an Arid Environment: Soil-Geomorphology, SEM/EDS, XRD, and Electron Microprobe Analyses

Teratogenicity of depleted uranium aerosols: A review from an epidemiological perspective

Separation of Depleted Uranium From Soil

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