1999 Depleted Uranium News Stories

DoD Launches Depleted Uranium Training

August 13, 1999 (Washington) - Beware. Be careful. But don't be overly alarmed. Depleted uranium, found in some ammunition and armored vehicles, is a potentially toxic heavy metal, but defense officials say limited exposure is not dangerous.

The Defense Department has launched a DoD-wide training initiative to ensure service members know the pros and cons of the substance known as "DU." (Full Story)

RAND review indicates no evidence of harmful health effects
from depleted uranium

April 15, 1999 (Washington) - The Department of Defense announced today the release of a RAND scientific literature review that indicates no evidence of harmful health effects directly linked to depleted uranium exposures at levels experienced by Gulf War veterans.

The report, "A Review of the Scientific Literature as it Pertains to Gulf War Illnesses: Volume 7 Depleted Uranium," is the latest report commissioned by the office of the special assistant for Gulf War illnesses. The report responds to veterans' concerns that depleted uranium might be the cause of some of their illnesses. (Full Story)

DOD and RAND release report on health effects of depleted uranium

April 5, 1999 (Washington) - After an extensive review of the scientific literature, the RAND Corporation has released a report on the potential health effects of depleted uranium in Gulf War veterans. At the low exposure levels experienced by Gulf War veterans, the scientific literature available today does not indicate negative health effects due to the chemical toxicity of depleted uranium. In addition, negative health effects have not been observed in humans from the exposure to ionizing radiation from depleted uranium or natural uranium.

At high levels uranium may cause chemical toxicity because it is a heavy metal. A lesser concern is the low level of radioactivity which it emits. There is only limited evidence that even chronic exposure to natural uranium is associated with illness in humans or animals, and this is only at extraordinary concentrations. This conclusion makes it unlikely that depleted uranium would have any such effects, because depleted uranium is 40 percent less radioactive than natural uranium. (Full Story)