[ RadSafe ] "Teratogenicity of depleted uranium aerosols" review in Environmental Health

[James Salsman]

New peer-reviewed article:

Rita Hindin, Doug Brugge and Bindu Panikkar, "Teratogenicity
of depleted uranium aerosols: A review from an epidemiological
perspective," Environmental Health, vol. 4 (26 August 2005),
pp. 17:  http://www.ehjournal.net/content/4/1/17

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Depleted uranium is being used increasingly often as a 
component of munitions in military conflicts. Military personnel, 
civilians and the DU munitions producers are being exposed to the DU 
aerosols that are generated. METHODS: We reviewed toxicological data on 
both natural and depleted uranium. We included peer reviewed studies and 
gray literature on birth malformations due to natural and depleted 
uranium. Our approach was to assess the "weight of evidence" with 
respect to teratogenicity of depleted uranium. RESULTS: Animal studies 
firmly support the possibility that DU is a teratogen. While the 
detailed pathways by which environmental DU can be internalized and 
reach reproductive cells are not yet fully elucidated, again, the 
evidence supports plausibility. To date, human epidemiological data 
include case examples, disease registry records, a case-control study 
and prospective longitudinal studies. In aggregate the human 
epidemiological evidence is consistent with increased risk of birth 
defects in offspring of persons exposed to DU. DISCUSSION: The two most 
significant challenges to establishing a causal pathway between (human) 
parental DU exposure and the birth of offspring with defects are: i) 
distinguishing the role of DU from that of exposure to other potential 
teratogens; ii) documentation on the individual level of extent of 
parental DU exposure. Studies that use biomarkers, none yet reported, 
can help address the latter challenge. Thoughtful triangulation of the 
results of multiple studies (epidemiological and other) of DU 
teratogenicity contributes to disentangling the roles of various 
potentially teratogenic parental exposures. This paper is just such an 
endeavor. CONCLUSIONS: In aggregate the human epidemiological evidence 
is consistent with increased risk of birth defects in offspring of 
persons exposed to DU.

Full text:  http://www.bovik.org/du/du-teratogenicity.pdf

Sincerely,
James