Natural uranium is comprised of three radioactive isotopes: 238 U, 235 U, and 234 U. Depleted uranium (DU) is a byproduct of the processes for the enrichment of the naturally occurring 235 U isotope. The world wide stock pile contains some 11⁄2 million tons of depleted uranium. Some of it has been used to dilute weapons grade uranium (~90% 235 U) down to reactor grade uranium (~5% 235 U), and s...

abstractalthough the biokinetics, metabolism, and chemical toxicity of uranium are well known, until recently little attention was paid to the potential toxic effects of uranium on reproduction and development in mammals. in recent years, it has been shown that uranium is a developmental toxicant when given orally or subcutaneously (sc) to mice. decreased fertility, embryo/fetal toxicity includ...

Depleted uranium munitions have been used in recent military operations in both the Gulf and the Balkans and there have been concerns that exposure to depleted uranium may be a cause of 'Gulf War Syndrome' and cancer clusters. We recount the properties of depleted uranium, its military uses and the situations in which personnel may be exposed. Following a review of scientific literature, the he...

abstract   background : the application of du emanation for first time contaminated certain areas in the south west region of iraq after the second gulf war (1991). these contaminated areas were discovered in 1994. radioactive contamination was detected using the nuclear enterprise pcm5/1 in soil samples collected from two regions near by grazing lands. this study was done for assessment of du ...

Depleted uranium (DU) is an emerging environmental pollutant that is introduced into the environment primarily by military activity. While depleted uranium is less radioactive than natural uranium, it still retains all the chemical toxicity associated with the original element. In large doses the kidney is the target organ for the acute chemical toxicity of this metal, producing potentially let...

introduction: recently depleted uranium is being widely used as anti-armour ammunition and at very high temperature, results in information of an aerosol of very small uranium oxide particles, which may be inhaled. it is alleged that these particles represent a new battlefield hazard because of the chemical toxicology and/or radioactivity. method & materials: male wistar strain albino rats were...

The purpose of this work is to present an outline of the metabolic pathways of uranium isotopes and compounds, medical consequences of uranium poisoning, and an evaluation of the therapeutic alternatives in uranium internal contamination. The chemical toxicity of uranium has been recognized for more than two centuries. Animal experiments and human studies are conclusive about metabolic adverse ...

Uranium is an alpha-emitting, radioactive, heavy metal that occurs naturally in nearly all rocks and soils. Twenty-two isotopic forms of uranium have been identified, mainly associated with nuclear reactor operations or high-energy physics experiments; the most prevalent isotopes found in the environment are the three naturally-occurring isotopes: U, U, and U. Most uranium isotopes undergo deca...

background: depleted uranium (du) is uranium with low content of u 235 produced as a result of uranium enrichment. du has high density (19.05 g /cm3), which is 2.54 more than iron, so it’s high penetrating power makes it preferable as emanations with high penetration power. it was used in second gulf ware in 1991 for first time. the radioactivity of soil, plants, fruit, meat, milk and water is ...

OBJECTIVES To assess the distribution and risk factors of depleted uranium uptake in military personnel who had taken part in the invasion of Iraq in 2003. METHODS Sector field inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (SF-ICP-MS) was used to determine the uranium concentration and (238)U/(235)U isotopic ratio in spot urine samples. The authors collected urine samples from four groups iden...