DU Registry
The Metal Exposures & Depleted Uranium (MEDU) Surveillance Center
The Metal Exposures and Depleted Uranium (MEDU) Surveillance Center is located at the Baltimore VA Medical Center.
The Center has two missions related to Depleted Uranium (DU):
- To provide screening, testing, and follow-up for 1991 Gulf War Veterans exposed to DU through ‘friendly fire’ incidents (Depleted Uranium Follow-up Program), and
- To offer DU screening and testing to any Veteran worried about DU exposure.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Depleted Uranium Registry is a critical tool that is advancing research through combining Veteran and service member laboratory and exposure data. The registry enables VA to identify and research health challenges of Veterans and service members who were exposed to DU during their military service. Over time, the knowledge gained through this research will be used to fuel advancements in treatments, more precise predictive medicine, inform decisions related to presumptive conditions, and deliver targeted proactive and preventative care.
While participation in the registry does not impact an individual’s care or benefits, Veterans and service members who participate are helping to improve the care and benefits for generations of Veterans and service members to come.
Depleted Uranium
Chemical used in tanks and in bullets that penetrate enemy armored vehicles
When a vehicle is hit and penetrated by a DU projectile, it splits into small shards and bursts into flames. The projectile fragmentation may fill the vehicle with flying metal fragments, particles, and dust.
Inhalation, oral, or dermal (wounds)
Southwest Asia, South-Central Asia, Western/Central Europe, Southeastern Europe
Gulf War, Operation Joint Endeavor (OJE), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) / Operation Freedom's Sentinel (OFS), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) / Operation New Dawn (OND)
1990-1991, 1992-1995, 2001-present
The two primary health concerns related to DU exposure are radiation and heavy metal toxicity.
- Radiation - since DU is less radioactive than naturally occurring uranium, this should not be a significant source of concern.
- Heavy metal toxicity - The first organs of concern are the kidneys. Currently, there is no evidence of long-term health effects in Veterans as a result of embedded DU fragments.
The potential for health effects from internal exposure is related to the amount of DU that enters a person’s body. Inhaled DU particles are likely cleared from the lungs over several years. DU fragments may remain for many years. Other health effects being studied are the effects on the kidneys and on bone mineral density.
- Depleted Uranium Fact Sheet
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/docs/depleted-uranium/du_factsheet.pdf
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/depleted_uranium/index.asp.
- Depleted Uranium webpage
- https://health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Health-Readiness/Environmental-Exposures/Depleted-Uranium .
- DoD Depleted Uranium (DU) Library
Get a Registry Evaluation
- Environmental Health Coordinator
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp
Contact your local https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp, https://www.oefoif.va.gov/map.asp, or VA Primary Care Team about getting a registry evaluation.
WRIISC Link
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC)
- https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WARRELATEDILLNESS/referral/index.asp
For evaluation for difficult-to-diagnose conditions, contact your local https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WARRELATEDILLNESS/referral/index.asp.
Depleted Uranium Follow-Up Program
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/depleted_uranium/followup_program.asp
"Depleted Uranium Follow-Up Program screens and monitors Veterans for health problems associated with exposure to depleted uranium (DU). The program is especially geared to Veterans who were on, in or near vehicles hit with 'friendly fire'; rescuers entering burning vehicles, and those near burning vehicles; salvaging damaged vehicles; or near fires involving DU munitions. VA requires active duty service in any of the conflicts listed below to qualify for the DU Follow-Up Program:
- 1990-1991 Gulf War
- Bosnia
- Operation Enduring Freedom
- Operation Iraqi Freedom
- Operation New Dawn
- For more information, visit: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/depleted_uranium/followup_program.asp
1990 2100 Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) / Operation Freedom's Sentinel (OFS) Southwest Asia, South-Central Asia
