depleted uranium ammo

[J P MCLAUGHLIN <MCLAUGH@acadamh.ucd.ie>]

Hi  Radsafers,

    I would appreciate learning of published material dealing with 
the DOSIMETRIC implications of ammunition produced from depleted 
uranium. The reason is as follows : during a recent visit to Serbia I 
was give an account ,by their radiation protection scientists, of  
analyses and dosimetric assessments of  armour-piercing rounds made 
of  depleted uranium which were found in the Serbian Republic  
apparently as a consequence of air bombardment of targets in the 
recent past.  (Presumably in the aftermath of the Gulf War the desert 
is also littered with similar rounds.)   A round had a reported  
activity of  about 3.4 MBq  and for skin contact the equivalent dose 
rate for alphas is reported as 0.50 Sv /hr.cm2 while that from betas 
is reported as being about 1.4 mSv/hr.cm2 . Other dose estimates were 
quoted for gammas. The main dosimetric concern expressed was for 
situations where spent rounds would be picked up by the general 
public (in particular by children) and kept for long periods as 
souvenirs. Estimates were made that from prolonged skin exposure  
(such as to a schoolboy keeping a spend round in a pocket) changes to 
skin (necrosis and ulceration )  might occur after a period as short 
as 80 hours.  I cannot vouch for these estimates  but would like to 
know if this type of  dose assessment has been dealt with in the open 
literature. As a Radon Ranger I am not au fait with the type of  
dosimetric calculations quoted above. It would also be interesting to 
know ,for example, the dosimetric implication for the people  (both 
military and civilian) who regularly deal with such rounds as part of 
their work or duties.  

Yours sincerely,

James Mc Laughlin,Physics Dept,
University College Dublin.Ireland
 MCLAUGH@ACADAMH.UCD.IE