Is depleted uranium a serious radiation problem with potential to produce cancer?
Because 238U is an alpha emitter, and alpha particles can be stopped by a single layer of skin, it presents no radiation hazard from external exposure. The concern is when large amounts of depleted uranium are deposited in the body through wounds or inhalation. Uranium is a heavy metal and as such is toxic, especially to the kidneys. Depleted uranium has been shown to convert normal cells in tissue culture to transformed cells. This may be a function of its metal toxicity. On the other hand, we all have uranium in our bodies from natural sources. Therefore the real concern would be from addition of high levels of uranium to our bodies. Such high levels would result from being “hit” by fragments from a uranium bullet or being very close to where a uranium bullet hit and ignited. This ignition can result in the production of small particles of uranium oxide. The hazard would be the inhalation of the uranium. Because of the high mass of the uranium, the aerodynamic diameter of the particl
