Re: DU Source

[BobCherry@AOL.COM]

In a message dated 4/9/2003 1:01:13 PM Central Daylight Time, Lessler.Richard@epamail.epa.gov writes:


> What is the source of the depleted uranium used in the weapons/missiles?
>
> Is it the remains of the uranium after U-235 is removed in which case it
>
> should not cause any radiation problem?  Or is it from the U-238 that
>
> has been irradiated in a reactor to produce plutonium?



The DU that DOD uses comes from both DOE's enrichment facilities and its reactors. The amount of Tc-99 and transuranics in the DU is on the order of parts per billion, which increases its radioactivity by less than one percent. Note that the transuranics have virtually the same chemical properties as uranium. Therefore, this trace contamination has no measurable effect on DU's chemical and radiological toxicities.


Bob C