🚀 go-pugleaf

"Daniel Packman" <pack@eos.ucar.edu> wrote in message
news:avi3ij$6g0$1@news.ucar.edu...
> In article <avh8qs$2psm$1@news1.ij.net>,
> die gedanken sind frei <judgedredd@ij.net> wrote:
>
> .....
> >And I shall learn what from that tedious testimony? That "depleted
uranium"
> >is radioactive? ....
>
> Yes, it is slightly radiative.

So is Chromium. However the radiation from DU is so slight it is only about
the same as natural background radiation according to actual published
materials on it. It emits low levels of alpha particles that are completely
blocked by the skin (with no proven effects to the skin) and low levels of
beta particles (blocked by clothing) and extremely low gamma particle
emissions that are insignificant. If we wanted to make a comparison, we come
in contact with sources of radiation almost every day that pose a greater
risk to health then DU.

The problem with idiots like Clinton is that he is suggesting that there is
"massive" radiation from the DU ammunition, his source claims half a million
Iraqi dead from the ammunition, massive (tens of thousands of U.S.
casualties from it) and contamination of the battlefields.  Mostly his
sources totally misrepresent it. The DU ammunition was almost exclusively
used by tanks in Desert Storm. We did not send any tanks into Baghdad to
blow up baby milk factories or nurseries. The overwhelming hysteria of the
site given as a source by Clinton on the issue is extremely inaccurate to
say the least. I'd consider it naked anti-American propaganda the way it
reads misrepresenting science so badly. According to the site, getting
within 10 miles of the DU ammunition the skin starts melting, you go blind
in seconds and within an hour your hair falls out. In short, at least a bad
case of the "chicken little syndrome."  You are likely to encounter many
things at least as hazardous around our houses.

Is DU toxic? Yep so is its cousin lead! DU is dangerous if you swallow it.
So is lead. So is mercury.