Depleted Uranium Exposure
How Veterans May Have Been Exposed
Some Gulf War, Bosnia, Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation New Dawn (OND) Veterans may have been exposed to DU when they were: on, in, or near vehicles hit with friendly fire; entering or near burning vehicles; near fires involving DU munitions; or salvaging damaged vehicles.
Exposure to a hazardous substance, such as DU, requires not only that it be present, but that the material gets into the body. DU can enter the body via breathing, eating, skin absorption, and/or being wounded with a fragment of DU.
Just being near tanks or ammunitions that contain DU will not result in exposure or cause a health risk.
Exposure to DU is most likely for service members who were in or on a vehicle struck by DU weapons. Other service members may have been exposed if they:
- entered vehicles immediately after impact, or
- were near fires or explosions involving DU weapons or armor.
When these fires are very hot, very fine dust-like DU particles are created. The particles can be inhaled into the lungs, swallowed, or contaminate open wounds. Inhaled DU particles can take several years to be cleared from the lungs. Shrapnel containing DU embedded in tissue, can also remain in the body for many years.
Were Service Members Exposed To DU At Karshi Khanabad (K-2)?
K-2 is an Air Base that had previously been the site of Soviet missile destruction. Exposure risks to the DU contaminated soil were reduced by containment and protective measures, but service members are eligible for DU screening. Long-term adverse health effects would not be expected.
If you think you were exposed to depleted uranium during your service, talk to your local VA Environmental Health Coordinator. Ask to be screened for depleted uranium exposure.
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
