Still dangerous after 30 years - Uranium particles from DU weapons [View all]

[madokie]

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.

http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_analysis/2261643/still_dangerous_after_30_years_uranium_particles_from_du_weapons.html