Surveillance for Long-Term Health Effects Associated With Depleted Uranium Exposure and Retained Embedded Fragments in US Veterans

Abstract

Knowledge gained from these programs will help to develop guidelines for surgical removal of tissue-embedded fragments.

Impacts of Terrestrial Ionizing Radiation on the Hematopoietic System

“…Depleted uranium and natural uranium are environmental pollutants that emerge from uranium-rich regions [87][88][89][90]. They are regarded as radiological hazards [87].…”

The Gulf War Depleted Uranium Cohort at 20 years

“…Principal findings to date relate to the mobilization of U from fixed tissue depots of metal fragments (McDiarmid et al 2000 resulting in chronic release of U to the systemic circulation . As well, physical findings and routine clinical laboratory measures have not shown U-related health effects generally (summarized in Squibb et al 2012). Surveillance of this cohort has continued, however, because surgical morbidity precludes extensive further fragment removal, and ongoing, chronic, systemic absorption continues slowly from retained fragments in a subset of this cohort.…”

“…Results of these assessments have been published routinely in the literature with emphasis on target outcomes of U toxicity (reviewed in Squibb et al 2012). Principal findings to date relate to the mobilization of U from fixed tissue depots of metal fragments (McDiarmid et al 2000 resulting in chronic release of U to the systemic circulation .…”

Biologic monitoring and surveillance results for the department of veterans affairs' depleted uranium cohort: Lessons learned from sustained exposure over two decades

“…Such an approach is especially helpful when long-latency effects are unknown due to incomplete exposure assessment, novel exposure routes or when the exposure is on-going and thus a toxicologic burden continues to accumulate [McDiarmid et al, 2009;Squibb et al, 2012] Uranium Toxicity DU is a man-made by-product of the U enrichment process, derived when U 234 and U 235 are removed from natural U obtained from mined ore, to create a product "enriched" in specific activity and thus suitable for reactor fuel [Army Environmental Policy Institute (AEPI), 1995]. With the removal of U 234 and U…”