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Depleted Uranium May Stop Kidneys "In Days"

Posted by timothy on from the unintended-consequences dept.

James writes: "The New Scientist, Reuters, and the San Jose Mercury News, are all carrying stories on a U.K. Royal Society report which confirms that depleted uranium shells, used widely in the Gulf War and the Balkan conflicts, are in fact deadly to bystanders. Moreover, it seems that U.S. servicepeople have been most at risk, and civilians remain at risk years after the use of such shells. The Royal Society report is being described as portraying the situation in the most favorable light, and critics say the truth is far worse."

4 of 71 comments (clear)

  1. On the other hand by Violet+Null · · Score: 3, Funny

    We need to remember that using U-238 shells gives our marines a +2 bonus on their weapons range. That's nothing to sneeze at.

    1. Re:On the other hand by spike+hay · · Score: 3, Funny

      Soldiers who survived a tank hit with depleted uranium ammunition would likely have kidney uranium levels of 4 micrograms per gram. They could get kidney poisoning from the bullets.

      OH MY GOD! Those poor people could be getting heavy metal poisoning from those high-explosive shells we're trying to kill them with!!!

      --
      If you don't understand any of my sayings, come to me in private and I shall take you in my German mouth.
  2. Oh no!!!!! The trees!!! by Picass0 · · Score: 3, Funny

    I wish that solders would stop and think about the environment when there is a tank coming after them. Depleted Uranium makes it hard for the daisies to grow. I know because Oprah told me so.

  3. Health risks of sabot rounds by caffeinated_bunsen · · Score: 2, Funny
    ... concluded that troops in a tank who survived being hit by a DU shell could double their risk of dying from lung cancer.

    If you're in a tank that just got hit with a DU round, lung cancer is FAR from the top of your list of problems.

    I can see it now...
    SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: This sabot round contains depleted uranium. Occupants of a vehicle struck by this shell may suffer health problems.

    --

    Bugrit! Millenium hand and shrimp!