What is depleted uranium?

Depleted uranium (DU) is a form of uranium that has been processed to remove most of the radioactive isotopes, U-234 and U-235. It is a dense, heavy metal that is about 60% less radioactive than natural uranium. DU is used in a variety of applications, including the manufacture of armor-piercing munitions.

Found Naturally: Uranium, a slightly radioactive element, is naturally present in soil, water, and minerals. Everyone has uranium in their diet that can be measured in the urine.
Health Impact: Its chemical properties, similar across all uranium forms, can affect health.

Routine uses in a deployed setting

The United States Armed Forces have used DU in the manufacture of munitions, armor, and armor-piercing projectiles. DU projectiles are capable of readily penetrating armor. Armor constructed with DU provides a high degree of shielding and resistance to penetration. During the 1991 Gulf War (GW), DU containing munitions were used on a large scale for the first time.

Exposure to DU

When a vehicle is struck by a DU projectile, it creates dust, smoke, fumes, and tiny particles. These particles can easily be inhaled or ingested, contaminating the inside of the vehicle and potentially injuring occupants with DU fragments. Additionally, vehicle fires can burn DU ammunition, spreading contamination further.

Based on the level of potential exposure, individuals are categorized as follows:

Level I:

Highest exposure potential
Includes personnel in, on, or near (within 50 meters) an armored vehicle hit by a DU projectile
May experience exposure through inhalation, ingestion, wound contamination, and embedded DU fragments

Level II:

Moderate exposure potential
Includes personnel who routinely enter damaged vehicles in recovery operations or fight fires involving DU

Level III:

Lowest exposure potential
Includes personnel simply riding in a vehicle with intact DU munitions or shielding
Significant DU intake unlikely

Health effects of DU

The clearest sign of exposure to DU comes from a urine or feces test that indicates the presence of DU, particularly the urine. The kidneys filter the blood, and waste products from the blood are passed to the urine. DU is a heavy metal, like lead, and when there are large amounts in the body, DU can damage the kidneys. In all but very rare cases where there are substantial intakes, there will be no immediate noticeable effects from DU. However, over time, filtering the DU could damage the kidneys. The major health concern related to DU exposure is kidney damage. Cancer is of secondary concern because the radiation dose from DU is typically quite small.

Medical treatment

If you are wounded with a DU or DU-containing fragment, the treatment will be based on removal of the fragment, just as if the wound was from a bullet. Some bullets are hard to remove, and the surgeons decide to leave them in place rather than damage tissue trying to remove them. If the fragments are left in the body, the amount of DU in the urine can be monitored to decide if the kidneys should be watched closely. Someone with a retained DU or DU-containing fragment is not “radioactive" and does not pose a risk to others. Individuals whose exposures are categorized as Level I or Level II are required to submit a urine specimen for DU analysis. For personnel in Level III, submitting a urine specimen for analysis is optional based on healthcare provider and patient concerns. If you are in this category and have concerns, please discuss them with your healthcare provider. If you have a chronic DU exposure, your healthcare provider will refer you to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for additional follow-up.

VA monitoring of Gulf War Veterans with DU exposure

Since 1993, the VA has carefully monitored a group of about 80 Gulf War Veterans who were seriously injured in incidents involving DU. These Veterans receive ongoing medical care and testing at the Baltimore VA Medical Center.

In a 2013 study, 14 Veterans showed higher-than-normal levels of uranium in their urine, likely due to retained DU fragments. These individuals are being monitored closely with various tests to assess any potential health effects.

Reassuringly, all Veterans in the program, including those with retained DU fragments, have normal kidney function. While minor differences in certain urinary markers were observed in the group with higher DU levels, these findings require further investigation.

Additionally, the reproductive health of this Veteran group appears normal. All babies fathered by these Veterans between 1991 and 1997 were born healthy and without any birth defects.

The VA's long-term monitoring program demonstrates its commitment to ensuring the health and well-being of Veterans who may have been exposed to DU. The ongoing research and close observation provide valuable data that can inform future care and management strategies.

Find more information at the VA's Depleted Uranium Follow-Up Program webpage. External Link

Risk communication Information

DU aerosols and fragments are only one of many potentially hazardous substances that U.S. Service members may be exposed to during deployment and combat operations.

The following are two potential hazards associated with exposure to large amounts of DU aerosols or retained fragments:

The effect associated with heavy metal toxicity, much like that seen with tungsten, lead, and cadmium on the kidney.
DU's low-level radioactivity.

Follow-up of individuals with retained DU fragments have not shown evidence of adverse health effects related to internalized DU. Those individuals who show elevated DU in the screening urine bioassay are being followed as a precaution.

Depleted Uranium – Information for Service Members