🚀 go-pugleaf

"clintonG" <csgallagher@REMOVETHISTEXTmetromilwaukee.com> wrote in message
news:pzYS9.3583$nT1.87438@twister.kc.rr.com...


> Some people relish their ignorance.

Clinton you are obviously one of them.

> The usage of the word 'depleted' in the context it is used is intended to
> convey that the properties of the elements that were exploited to
> generate electrical energy have been used up. That does not mean
> there are no remaining physical properties not subject to the known
> laws of physics.

    Not accurate.

> In fact, once certain elements are depleted in such a manner is
> exactly why they become radioactive as they are no longer atomically
> stable.

    Except that "depleted uranium" does not fit that category. The particle
emissions is 40% lower than natural uranium that occurs in nature. Most
pyscicists agree that the radiation from DU is little more than what we are
exposed to in background radiation.


> I took physics in college. I passed my courses. I cannot however argue
> past this point and then turn to colleagues and knowledgeable experts.
> Hopefully not as blindly as others may be afraid to admit is their habit.

    Well I will add a quote for you
Q. What makes depleted uranium a potential hazard?
A. Depleted uranium is a heavy metal that is also slightly radioactive.
Heavy metals (uranium, lead, tungsten, etc.) have chemical toxicity
properties that, in high doses, can cause adverse health effects. Depleted
uranium that remains outside the body can not harm you.
A common misconception is that radiation is depleted uranium's primary
hazard. This is not the case under most battlefield exposure scenarios.
Depleted uranium is approximately 40 percent less radioactive than natural
uranium. Depleted uranium emits alpha and beta particles, and gamma rays.
Alpha particles, the primary radiation type produced by depleted uranium,
are blocked by skin, while beta particles are blocked by the boots and
battle dress utility uniform (BDUs) typically worn by service members. While
gamma rays are a form of highly-penetrating energy , the amount of gamma
radiation emitted by depleted uranium is very low. Thus, depleted uranium
does not significantly add to the background radiation that we encounter
every day.
When fired, or after "cooking off" in fires or explosions, the exposed
depleted uranium rod poses an extremely low radiological threat as long as
it remains outside the body. Taken into the body via metal fragments or
dust-like particles, depleted uranium may pose a long-term health hazard to
personnel if the amount is large. However, the amount which remains in the
body depends on a number of factors, including the amount inhaled or
ingested, the particle size and the ability of the particles to dissolve in
body fluids.
Q. Were any studies on the health effects of depleted uranium ever conducted
prior to the onset of the Gulf War? What were the findings of those studies?
A. The health effects of uranium have been studied extensively for over 50
years. In September 1999 the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry published a Toxicological Profile for Uranium, an update to the
original profile published in May 1989. While natural and depleted uranium
are considered chemically toxic, they are not considered a radiation hazard.
The environmental effects of depleted uranium have been studied
comprehensively by a wide range of governmental and non-governmental bodies
both before and after the Gulf War. Burn tests and other evaluations
performed under simulated battlefield conditions indicated that the health
risks associated with the battlefield use of depleted uranium were minimal
and even those could be reduced even more by simple, field-expedient
measures, especially, avoidance of depleted uranium-contaminated vehicles
and sites. During and after the Gulf War, personnel awareness of the hazards
posed by battlefield depleted uranium contamination was generally low. As a
result, many personnel did not practice field-expedient measures that would
have prevented or mitigated possible exposures.
Q. What are the health effects of contact with unfired depleted uranium
munitions or unperforated (intact) armor on the various weapons systems,
such as the Abrams Heavy Tank?
A. Unfired depleted uranium munitions are encased in thin metal jackets that
seal in alpha and beta particles, and allow only extremely slight gamma
emissions which fall well below regulatory health and safety limits.
Similarly, depleted uranium panels used in tank armor pose no health risk
because the depleted uranium is sealed inside several inches of regular
steel armor. Alpha radiation, which is the major concern for internalized
depleted uranium, is not an external concern because alpha radiation does
not penetrate the outer layers of skin. The second source of radiation is
from the depleted uranium rounds stored on board the tank. While soldiers
are exposed to an increased level of radiation from the stored munitions,
the cumulative exposure levels for tank crewmembers are within applicable
guidelines. Since depleted uranium munitions are only used in combat, only
forward-deployed vehicles are routinely uploaded with depleted uranium
munitions.