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There are a vast number of fictions about DU. UMRC would like to respond to a few of these. Fiction: Uranium is ubiquitous in nature and therefore is no cause for concern Fiction: DU is not harmful; it is depleted in U235 Fiction: Alpha particles can't penetrate clothes and skin Fiction: Governments and the World Health Organization (WHO) have tested for DU Fiction: Uranium usage levels is too low to be a concern or merit investigation Fiction: There are no serious effects from low-level exposure to Uranium Fiction: DU weapons dust soon dissipates and does not travel far from the explosion site Fiction: Uranium is ubiquitous in nature and we are exposed daily. There is no cause for concern. http://www.umrc.net/factsAndFictions.asp

Fact: Uranium is present in nature in trace amounts, about 3 parts per million (ppm) by weight. It takes about 5 tonnes of dry soil or rock to produce 1 teaspoon of what is called natural uranium. It is natural in that is has the isotopic proportions that exist in nature. However, what is unnatural is when uranium is presented in concentrated quantities. In these concentrations of radioactivity its effect on human health and the environment become dangerous.

When Uranium is exposed to the natural chemical action of the environment it can become solublized and can then migrate into the water supply. Uncontained uranium waste is a problem when left in the open as it oxidizes. This is the case all over the world in nuclear waste repositories.

URANIUM IS MOST DANGEROUS WHEN IT BURNS AND IS AEROSOLISED AS HAPPENS WHEN IT IS USED IN WEAPONS.

Fiction: DU is depleted in the amount of U235 and is therefore less radioactive than the uranium in our natural environment.

Fact: The term Depleted uranium is a misnomer. DU is depleted only in the isotopes U234 and U235 which constitute less that 1% of the total uranium. The fact is that both depleted uranium and natural Uranium are over 99% composed of Uranium 238. Depleted uranium is almost as highly concentrated as pure uranium and may contain plutonium in trace amounts.

http://www.umrc.net/factsAndFictions.asp

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