The U.S. has announced it is sending depleted uranium anti-tank rounds to Ukraine, following Britain’s lead in sending the controversial munitions to help Kyiv push through Russian lines in its grueling counteroffensive.
That is just wrong, it certainly is radioactive, just not capable of going critical, which would define it as a “nuclear weapon”. Depleted uranium emits radiation, albeit at low levels, therefore it is radioactive
Depleted uranium is far more hazardous because it’s a heavy metal than because it’s still very slightly radioactive. It’s an alpha emitter so the radiation won’t penetrate your skin. You can handle DU constantly and not have any issues unless you breathe it in or swallow it at which point the primary concern is going to be acute heavy metal poisoning, not the cancer it may or may not cause several years down the road.
Neither of those effects are something you want spread all over a country that supplies a crapload of the worlds grain and other agricultural products.
Even worse, Ukraine will be spreading g it around their own country. While I realize it’s a fight for survival against aggression and support giving them all the help they need, it’s horrifying what it’s doing to them and their country
That is just wrong, it certainly is radioactive, just not capable of going critical, which would define it as a “nuclear weapon”. Depleted uranium emits radiation, albeit at low levels, therefore it is radioactive
Depleted uranium is far more hazardous because it’s a heavy metal than because it’s still very slightly radioactive. It’s an alpha emitter so the radiation won’t penetrate your skin. You can handle DU constantly and not have any issues unless you breathe it in or swallow it at which point the primary concern is going to be acute heavy metal poisoning, not the cancer it may or may not cause several years down the road.
Neither of those effects are something you want spread all over a country that supplies a crapload of the worlds grain and other agricultural products.
Even worse, Ukraine will be spreading g it around their own country. While I realize it’s a fight for survival against aggression and support giving them all the help they need, it’s horrifying what it’s doing to them and their country
Alpha particles. If you snort a bunch of DU dust, that would be bad since the same cells would be constantly exposed for a long time.
If anyone is curious about the prevalence of different types of radiation, go on YouTube and look for videos of cloud chambers. Cool stuff.
I got light bulbs emitting radiation all over the place over here.