Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2010, 7, 303-313; doi: 10.3390/ijerph7010303
OPEN ACCESS
International Journal of
Environmental Research and
Public Health
ISSN 1660-4601
Review
The Toxicity of Depleted Uranium
Wayne Briner
Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Kearney, NE 68818, USA;
E-Mail: brinerw@unk.edu; Tel.:+1-308-865-8196; Fax: +1-308-865-8980
Received: 8 December 2009 / Accepted: 20 January 2010/ Published: 25 January 2010
Abstract: 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 lethal tubular necrosis. In contrast, chronic low dose exposure to depleted uranium may not produce a clear and defined set of symptoms. Chronic low-dose, or subacute, exposure to depleted uranium alters the appearance of milestones in developing organisms. Adult animals that were exposed to depleted uranium during development display persistent alterations in behavior, even after cessation of depleted uranium exposure. Adult animals exposed to depleted uranium demonstrate altered behaviors and a variety of alterations to brain chemistry. Despite its reduced level of radioactivity evidence continues to accumulate that depleted uranium, if ingested, may pose a radiologic hazard. The current state of knowledge concerning DU is discussed.
Keywords: depleted uranium; heavy metal; toxicity
1. The Early History of Uranium
Uranium was first described in a scientific manner by the German pharmacist Klaroth who isolated it from “pitchblende”, a waste mining ore at the time. Uranium then began to used in the manufacture of ceramic and glass vessels as well as paints. Uranium and pitchblende began to receive scientific
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2010, 7
attention after Madame Marie Curie isolated radium and interest gradually increased with the expansion of radiochemistry and radiation physics. Diseases of miners were the first to be linked to the Risks of uranium, even before uranium was the purpose of the mining. Pitchblende, a waste ore in silver, bismuth and cobalt mining, was already linked to lung disease in miners in the mid 1500s. The radioactive dust from these mining operations, as well as radon exposure, produced noteworthy rates of lung cancer in German miners [1].
During and after World War Two uranium mining became a purposeful and concentrated concern. During this time industrial hygiene generally improved and the study of uranium was part of the overall effort to study the sequel of nuclear war which focused on radiation exposure from a variety of elemental isotopes. The chemical toxicity of uranium was de-emphasized.
Replies
It's taken a while to figure out how Wm Aila, Malama Makua, Kyle Kajihiro, Isac Harp and Karl Jellings was used in the process of depleted uranium in Hawaii by the military for they are the civilian representatives for the State of Hawaii. The Judges gavel determined the safe, weak and low to civilian populations. How did this happen? The aggregation of a "variety elemental isotopes" was a re-defintion of safety measures to de-emphasize the chemical toxicity of uranium byt he AEC Judges and not by science.
If the control is in the civilian hands according to "President Harry S. Truman signed the McMahon/Atomic Energy Act on August 1, 1946" than we were manipulated by the military to except clean up. The blame lies with the medical profession for excepting clean up of nuclear elemental isotopes as a means of safety to our civilian population in the Waianae geographical area.
Military dumping of their hidden nuclear weapons off the near shores of Maili was done intentionally by the mere definition of 'aggregation' that constitutes safe, weak and low from a Judges gavel. As a civilian I am opposing any clean-up by the military as a means of an apology without compensation to the civilian population. If kidney failures are the out come of this mass killing between World War II and the Persian Gulf War in 1990-1991, I believe an injunction to the clean-up off the shores of Maili at least until the population have been notified properly by way of education to the adults and not to children which is what is happening.
The Native Hawaiian Veterans Corporations have designed a UXO kiddy program that are now in our Department of Education in Hawaii. What is not understood is that depleted uranium and other known toxic chemicals are part of their sand box too.
ugh,
The risk factor factor and exposure puts Waianae into a study mode for DU exposure which will be inconclusive with the bias reporting. The military procurements literally are paying for these bogus studies.