Depleted Uranium

Subject: RE: Depleted Uranium
From: rangeroger
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 04:37 PM

Sure wouldn't want those tankers to inhale that poisonous stuff after the round had detonated and blown up their tank.

Seems to me, war is dangerous to everyone involved.

rr

Subject: RE: Depleted Uranium
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 09:54 AM

In its solid form the levels of radioactivity are fairly low. As I understand it, and I may well be wrong, the problem arises mainly after detonation has taken place and the remains are dispersed as very fine particulate matter. This matter can be inhaled where these particles lodge in the lungs and lymphatic tissues where the carcinogenic and toxic effects are more problematical. Sorry Amos, don't have numbers to hand.

mcmoo

Subject: RE: Depleted Uranium
From: Grab
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 09:53 AM

The main problem with DU, as I remember, is inhalation. There's no danger at all carrying DU around in your bare hands, and the radioactivity isn't an issue (it's actually less radioactive than the raw metal, since the highly radioactive isotope has been extracted). But inhaling the dust clogs up your lungs and causes cancer.

Thing is, the uranium burns on impact - that's what makes it so effective. So after an impact, you're not left with a porjectile like you are with a traditional lead bullet, you're left with this dust, which if breathed in in quantity is dangerous. How long it continues to be a hazard on the ground, and what happens to it when it's incorporated into the ground, no-one knows yet.

Grab.

Subject: RE: Depleted Uranium
From: Amos
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 09:26 AM

Excuse me but I understood depleted uranium to be about as radioactive as a watch dial -- its outstanding characteristic being its toughness, hence its use for armor-piercing. Does anyone have some actual numbers on the carcinogenic properties of it?

A

Subject: Lyr Add: DEPLETED URANIUM
From: The Crazy Bird
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 05:56 AM

Rocky Flats? Waste? I'll have to look it up, must be on a map somewhere (hmmn)

BTW, I saw the text didn't look like I wanted on the first posting.

Like my good friend says, "When all else fails, read the book, if that don't help -- follow the instructions...

DEPLETED URANIUM
(tune: Old Time Religion, words: Chuck Cliff)

Give me depleted uranium,
Give me depleted uranium,

Give me depleted uranium,
-- it's good enough for me!

It was good for "Norm" and Powell
When we made old Saddam howl
It was good for "Norm" and Powell,
and it's good enough for me!

It was good in the Iraq desert,
Where killing tanks was a pleasure
It was good in the Iraq desert,
and it's good enough for me!

Who cares if it's a poison and
A carcinogen?
Who cares if it's a poison?
-- it's good enough for me!

It was good enough in Kosovo
When we beat up on Milosevic
It was good enough in Kosovo
and it's good enough for me!

Who cares if it's a waste
Produced by industry
Who cares if it's a waste?
-- it's good enough for me!

Subject: RE: Depleted Uranium
From: BlueJay
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 05:32 AM

We will go to Rocky Flats,
And put their shoulders to the mats,
We can watch the glowing bats,
But it's not good enough for me.

(To be fair, the only glowing bats in the area are likely the batts of insulation in the homes which spring up closer and closer to that radioactive wasteland as years pass. Probably the bats have either already died, or had the good sense to flee). Thanks, BlueJay

Subject: Depleted Uranium
From: The Crazy Bird
Date: 26 Feb 01 - 04:28 AM

I had some fun on the way to work this morning making this up - if y' can make up better verses, you're welcome t' -- regrds, Crazy Bird

DEPLETED URANIUM
(tune: Old Time Religion, words: Chuck Cliff)

Give me depleted uranium,
Give me depleted uranium,
Give me depleted uranium,
-- it's good enough for me!

It was good for "Norm" and Powell
When we made old Saddam howl
It was good for "Norm" and Powell,
and it's good enough for me!

It was good in the Iraq desert,
Where killing tanks was a pleasure
It was good in the Iraq desert,
and it's good enough for me!

Who cares if it's a poison and
A carcinogen?
Who cares if it's a poison?
-- it's good enough for me!

It was good enough in Kosovo
When we beat up on Milosevic
It was good enough in Kosovo
and it's good enough for me!

Who cares if it's a waste
Produced by industry
Who cares if it's a waste?
-- it's good enough for me!
--------------
By the way, DU is a waste product in the pruduction
of fuel and weapons-grade enriched uranium.

Also, it is poisonous and it is a carcinogen