Touching Depleted Uranium: Understanding the Risks and Myths

Depleted uranium (DU) has been the subject of numerous concerns and misconceptions, especially regarding radiation risks. This article aims to clarify the primary dangers associated with DU and dispel common myths about radiation poisoning.

Understanding Depleted Uranium

Depleted uranium is a form of uranium with a lower concentration of the isotope uranium-235. It is primarily used in military applications and as a weighting agent in certain industrial materials. The primary concerns about DU involve its chemical toxicity, which can lead to health issues through prolonged exposure, as well as its radioactive properties.

Chemical Toxicity vs. Radiation

The primary danger of depleted uranium is chemical toxicity, not radiation poisoning. Exposure to DU powder, for instance, can release uranium dust, which can be harmful if ingested or inhaled. However, simply touching DU for a short time will not result in significant chemical toxicity, unless the uranium is in the form of powder and you do not wash your hands afterwards.

Radiation Sickness vs. Chronic Exposure

One common misconception is that "radiation poisoning" is a standalone term. In reality, “radiation sickness” is best defined as Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS). The concerns related to chronic exposure to ionizing radiation focus on the increased risk of carcinogenesis.

Chronic exposure involves receiving relatively small doses of radiation over a prolonged period. For chronic exposure to be detectable by a doctor, you would need to receive a rather large acute dose of at least 25–50 rem. At this dose, a doctor might observe minor changes in blood makeup.

Acute Dose and Symptoms of ARS

ARS symptoms become detectable at around 70–140 rem, with symptoms starting as a “mild flu-like” condition. However, these doses are far beyond those that might be encountered from short-term exposure to DU. For context, radiation workers in the United States are allowed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to receive an annual dose of only 5 rem (100 rem 1 Sievert).

Common Misconceptions and Real Risks

There is a significant misconception that DU must be completely “depleted” to be safe. In practice, some applications may require various levels of activity, and thus, some DU may still have significant radioactivity. Therefore, prolonged or improper handling can pose health risks, particularly if contact is involved.

Uranium is primarily an alpha emitter, which means that alpha particles, while heavy and slow-moving, cannot penetrate unbroken skin. However, once inside the body, alpha radiation can cause serious damage to surrounding tissue, making internal exposure particularly dangerous.

Personal Experience with DU

A personal anecdote further clarifies the risks. I used to work for General Electric as an X-ray service technician. During one of my service calls, my wife, who was about 7 months pregnant, was exposed to a solid bar of uranium. Despite the exposure, my wife never developed any radiation poisoning symptoms, and our daughter was born healthy. This experience underscores the fact that mere short-term touching is unlikely to cause significant harm.

However, it is still imperative to exercise caution regarding any prolonged exposure, especially when there is a risk of ingestion or inhalation of DU particles.

Conclusion

The primary danger associated with depleted uranium is its chemical toxicity, not radiation poisoning. Short-term contact with DU is unlikely to cause significant health issues, but prolonged exposure or internal exposure can be dangerous. The key is to handle DU with care and follow proper safety protocols to minimize risk.

Keywords: depleted uranium, radiation poisoning, acute radiation syndrome, chemical toxicity, ionizing radiation