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Elevated urine uranium excretion by soldiers with retained uranium shrapnel
F J Hooper1, K S Squibb, E L Siegel
1Baltimore Veterans Administration Medical Center, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 21201, USA.
Health Physics
|October 19, 1999
Summary
Uranium exposure from Persian Gulf War depleted uranium munitions was assessed in soldiers. Higher urine uranium levels were found in those with retained shrapnel, indicating ongoing absorption.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Military Medicine
Background:
- Depleted uranium (DU) munitions present unique chemical and radiological exposure risks.
- Persian Gulf War veterans exposed to DU penetrators represent a cohort for studying long-term health effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate renal abnormalities and uranium absorption in U.S. soldiers injured by DU penetrators.
- To establish reliable methods for monitoring DU excretion in affected soldiers.
Main Methods:
- Clinical evaluation of 33 soldiers approximately 3 years post-injury.
- X-ray identification of retained shrapnel and measurement of urine uranium concentrations at two time points (1993/1994 and 1995).
- Correlation analysis of spot urine samples versus 24-hour collections for uranium monitoring.
Main Results:
- Soldiers with retained shrapnel showed significantly higher urine uranium excretion compared to those without shrapnel.
- Urine uranium levels remained consistent between 1993/1994 and 1995, suggesting continuous absorption from shrapnel.
- Spot urine uranium measurements reliably correlate with 24-hour collections for monitoring purposes.
Conclusions:
- Embedded depleted uranium fragments are a source of ongoing uranium absorption in injured soldiers.
- Spot urine tests are effective for monitoring depleted uranium excretion in surveillance programs.
- No direct relationship was found between urine uranium excretion and renal function in this cohort.