The desert sands of the Gulf and the valleys of the Balkans hold a secret residue of war
How Depleted Uranium Casts a Long Shadow Over War Zones
"The complex clinical symptomatology of chronic illnesses, commonly described as Gulf War Syndrome, remains a poorly understood disease entity,"
For many veterans and local populations, the end of combat did not bring an end to their suffering. Instead, they faced a new, invisible threat—Depleted Uranium (DU). This unique metal, prized by the military for its ability to pierce armored tanks, leaves behind a legacy of contamination and disease that has sparked one of the most persistent medical mysteries of modern warfare. This is the story of how a weapon's aftermath can be as controversial as its use.
Depleted Uranium is a dense, slightly radioactive heavy metal that is primarily a by-product of the process used to create fuel for nuclear reactors and weapons. When natural uranium is "enriched" to increase its concentration of fissile U-235, the leftover material—mostly U-238—is called Depleted Uranium (DU) 1 2 .
Like other heavy metals such as lead or mercury, uranium is chemically toxic to the body. Its primary target is the kidneys, where it can cause damage during excretion 2 .
While DU is only about 60% as radioactive as natural uranium 2 3 , it still emits alpha particles. These particles have low penetrating power and are mostly blocked by skin, but if DU dust is inhaled or ingested, alpha emissions can deliver concentrated energy to internal tissues, potentially causing significant cellular damage 2 .
| Nuclide | Half-life (years) | Natural Uranium (wt%) | Depleted Uranium (wt%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 238U | 4.47 × 109 | 99.27% | 99.75% |
| 235U | 7.04 × 108 | 0.72% | 0.25% |
| 234U | 2.45 × 105 | 0.005% | 0.005% |
| Total Activity | ~25.40 kBq/g | ~14.80 kBq/g |
Data adapted from A Review on Toxicodynamics of Depleted Uranium 2
DU's military value comes from its extraordinary physical properties. With a density of 19.3 g/cm³ (denser than lead), DU projectiles are exceptionally effective at penetrating armored targets. Furthermore, DU is pyrophoric—it can ignite upon impact, creating a devastating secondary effect 1 3 .
Metric tons of DU used in the 1991 Gulf War
Grams of DU released into the atmosphere during the Gulf War
Radioactivity compared to natural uranium
Over 350 metric tons of DU was used, with an estimated 3-6 million grams released into the atmosphere .
NATO forces employed DU munitions in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo 3 .
Continued use of DU was reported 1 .
When a DU penetrator strikes a hard target, it produces a fine aerosol of radioactive and toxic dust particles, ranging from 0.2 to 15 microns in diameter—small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs 2 . This internal exposure is considered the most significant health risk.
The health issues reported by veterans and civilians exposed to DU are diverse and chronic. Researchers have linked DU exposure to several adverse health effects 2 :
The kidneys are the primary target for DU's chemical toxicity.
Alterations in behavior and other neurological adverse effects.
Weakening of the immune system.
Adverse effects on embryonic development.
Noted in both epidemiological and experimental studies.
Lung cancer and long-term respiratory issues.
| Organ System | Possible Health Effect | Primary Type of Toxicity |
|---|---|---|
| Renal (Kidneys) | Damage and dysfunction | Chemical |
| Respiratory | Lung cancer, long-term damage | Radiological/Chemical |
| Nervous System | Neurological alterations, behavior changes | Chemical |
| Immune System | Immunosuppression | Chemical |
| Developmental | Embryo-toxicity, birth defects | Chemical/Radiological |
| Whole Body | Increased cancer risk | Radiological/Chemical |
Information synthesized from toxicological research 2
One of the most compelling pieces of evidence linking DU to chronic health problems comes from a straightforward yet powerful type of experiment: biomonitoring.
Years after the 1991 Gulf War, researchers conducted studies to determine if veterans still had DU in their bodies. The experimental approach was clear :
The results were striking. Researchers found elevated excretion of depleted uranium isotopes in the urine of exposed veterans a full decade after the Gulf War had ended .
This internal contamination is a major concern because of DU's chemical toxicity, mutagenic, and carcinogenic properties . Unlike external exposure, internalized DU particles continuously irradiate and expose surrounding tissues to toxic metal ions, creating a long-term health risk.
| Tool or Method | Primary Function | Application in DU Research |
|---|---|---|
| Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) | Elemental and isotopic analysis | Precisely measure uranium concentration and isotope ratios in biological and environmental samples to distinguish DU from natural uranium 3 . |
| Gamma-ray Spectrometry | Detection of radioactive emissions | A convenient method for discriminating between natural and depleted uranium 3 . |
| In-Vitro Cell Culture Studies | Investigate mechanisms of toxicity | Study cellular responses to DU exposure, such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial toxicity, and inflammation 2 . |
| Animal Models (e.g., rodents) | Study systemic health effects | Investigate the toxicodynamics of DU in a whole organism, including organ-specific damage and carcinogenicity 2 . |
Despite the evidence, the health impact of DU remains an area of "sustained controversy" . The scientific community is divided:
Some researchers argue that DU weapons have led to serious health issues, including cancer, birth defects, and respiratory problems in regions like Iraq, Syria, and the Balkans, and have called for an immediate ban on their use 1 .
Others maintain that there is "no clear mechanistic relationship between DU exposure and human health security," suggesting the risks are overblown and require more definitive research 1 .
This polarization is fueled by the complexity of attributing specific health outcomes to a single factor in environments where multiple exposures (chemical agents, vaccines, smoke) may have occurred simultaneously.
The story of depleted uranium in the Gulf and Balkans is far from over. Its use in more recent conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, ensures that this issue remains tragically relevant 1 . The fine dust settled into the soil and the invisible particles lodged in human lungs continue to pose questions that science is still working to answer fully.
For the veterans and civilians living with the consequences, the debate over statistics and mechanisms is secondary to their lived reality of chronic illness. The case of depleted uranium serves as a powerful reminder that the calculus of war must account for not just immediate destruction, but also the long, silent shadow cast by the weapons we choose to use. As one bibliometric analysis concluded, there is a pressing need for more research, particularly in bridging the gap between the natural sciences and the humanities, to fully understand the implications of DU and "pave the way for the prohibition of such toxic munitions" 1 .