Fact sheet No 257: Depleted Uranium - January 2001 (WHO, 2001, 5 p.): Uranium and Depleted Uranium

Fact sheet No 257: Depleted Uranium - January 2001 (WHO, 2001, 5 p.)

		(introduction...)
		Uranium and Depleted Uranium
		Uses of Depleted Uranium
		Concerns Raised by the Use of Depleted Uranium
		Depleted Uranium and Human Health
		Types of Exposure
		Absorption of Uranium into the Body
		Health Risks
		Could DU Cause Leukaemia Among Military Personnel?
		DU in the Environment
		Standards
		WHO Activities
		Research Needs
		Recommendations

Uranium and Depleted Uranium

· Uranium is a naturally occurring element used, among other applications, in the generation of nuclear power. Naturally occurring uranium has three principal radioactive isotopes, namely U-238, U-235 and U-234.

· Depleted uranium (DU) is a by-product of the process of uranium enrichment (increasing U-235, the fissionable isotope concentration) in the nuclear power industry in which nearly all the radioactive isotope U-234 and about two thirds of the U-235 are removed. Thus, DU is almost entirely U-238 and is about 60% as radioactive as natural uranium. DU can also contain traces of other radioactive isotopes introduced during processing.

· Chemically, physically and toxicologically, DU behaves in the same way as the metallic form of natural uranium. Fine particles of both metals ignite easily, producing oxides.