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Gulf war depleted uranium risks.

Albert C Marshall1

  • 1Consultant for Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87047, USA. physbang1@msn.com

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology
|February 15, 2007
PubMed
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Depleted uranium (DU) exposure risks from the Gulf War are minimal. Mathematical modeling suggests no observable increase in leukemia or birth defects for US troops or Iraqi civilians due to DU.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Toxicology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Depleted uranium (DU) was utilized in armor-piercing munitions by US and British forces during the Gulf and Balkan Wars.
  • Uranium particulate generated from DU shell impacts poses inhalation and ingestion risks to military personnel and civilian populations.
  • Concerns exist regarding potential adverse health effects, including radiation and chemical toxicity, from DU exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate health risks associated with depleted uranium exposure during the 1991 Gulf War.
  • To assess risks for both US military veterans and Iraqi civilian populations.
  • To evaluate the potential for DU-induced leukemia, birth defects, and other health impacts.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized mathematical modeling to simulate DU exposure scenarios.

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  • Estimated health risks, including fatal cancer and birth defect probabilities.
  • Considered exposure pathways for US troops and Iraqi civilians, including vehicle occupants and children.

    • Main Results:

    • DU exposure risks for leukemia and birth defects are too low for observable increases in affected populations.
    • A small number of US veterans in targeted vehicles faced a 1.4% lifetime risk of fatal cancer from DU radiation.
    • Iraqi children playing in DU-destroyed vehicles face an estimated 0.4% cancer risk; temporary kidney damage possible for some veterans.

    Conclusions:

    • Mathematical modeling indicates minimal observable health risks from depleted uranium exposure during the Gulf War.
    • Risks for leukemia and birth defects are negligible for the general exposed populations.
    • Further research is needed to clarify chemically induced health effects, though environmental exposure is unlikely to exceed natural uranium levels.