Depleted uranium: a radiochemical toxicant?

The first large-scale combat use of depleted uranium (DU) weapons occurred during the Gulf War, and some U.S. personnel were wounded by DU fragments. Established fragment removal policies dictated that embedded metal fragments be left in place unless doing so posed unacceptable additional risks. However, questions were raised as to whether these policies are appropriate for a metal that--unlike lead, steel, or others--is chemically toxic and emits low-level radiation. Data from research currently under way indicate that long-term exposure to embedded DU fragments may present a level of risk that requires modification of established policies. Our understanding of DU health effects and of the possible mechanisms by which DU might affect tissues is evolving. Understanding more about the long-term response of tissues exposed to DU could facilitate future development of treatments for DU injuries.