A Review of the Scientific Literature As It Pertains to Gulf War Illnesses: Volume 7: Depleted Uranium

Harley, Naomi H.; Foulkes, E. C.; Hilborne, Lee H.; Hudson, Arlene; Anthony, C. Ross

doi:10.7249/mr1018.7

Cited by 41 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The human organs primarily affected by uranium are kidneys (Harley et al, 1999;Rostker, 1998). They retain the uranium input ranging from 0.05% to 12% with a period of elimination from 6 to 1500 days.…”

Section: Uraniummentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The dissolved complex of uranyl carbonate decomposes in this acidic environment on the uranyl and hydrogen carbonate ions. As Hg, Cd, and other heavy metals, uranyl ions reduces glomerular function, secretion of organic anion tubes, and reabsorption of filtered glucose and amino acids in the proximal wrapped tube (Harley et al, 1999;DOE, 1999). The dissolved uranyl ion, similar to the ions of heavy metals (e.g., Hg and Cd), reacts with outstretched chelate compounds in the form of a relatively stable and inert complex.…”

Section: Uraniummentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on the intake of uranium through drinking water (Tables 1 and 2), the distribution of the uranium in the human body can be calculated (Table 3). The rapid absorption of uranium for 5 days results in a concentration of uranium (c) in the blood: 12) where: T -15 days is the time for extracting the accumulated uranium, τ -5 days from the moment of entry, U -an average daily value of the uranium which enters the blood, for example, 2.1 mg/day, for k = 11%, the amount of uranium which is deposited in the blood, ln 2 = 0.693 = 0.29 kg of the total weight of the two kidneys (Harley et al, 1999).…”

Section: Uraniummentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Testing the effects of the presence of uranium in drinking water from individual wells in the village of Dubravica in the Branicevo district on public health

Rajkovic

Stojanovic

Milojkovic³

et al. 2021

J AGR SCI BELGRADE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The village of Dubravica is partially located over the western lignite deposits of the Kostolac basin. The examination of the dry residue obtained from drinking water from two individual wells by X-ray diffraction analysis, based on a typical peak, showed the presence of uranium in drinking water. The indirect method by Rajkovic and associates showed that, in sample I, the concentration of uranium in drinking water was 85.5 percent higher (3.71 ?g/L) and that the concentration of uranium in sample II was only 22 percent lower (1.56 ?g/L) than the Maximum Allowable Concentration (MAC) values required by the Regulations (2 ?g/L). Analysis of the result of the introduction of uranium in the human body has shown that this way brings 0.84 to 2 mg of uranium in the human organism per annum or 0.09 to 0.22 mg of uranium is deposited annually in the kidney. Assessment of the potential health risk due to the presence of uranium in drinking water indicated that the population using drinking water from wells will be threatened by uranium in a short time interval. Regarding the long-term risk, the calculation has indicated that in the first sample of drinking water, about 25 inhabitants, and in the case of the second sample of drinking water, 10 inhabitants out of 1000 inhabitants are endangered. As the kidney is the organ in which uranium is deposited (accumulated) to the greatest extent, its presence causes weakening and failure of kidney function, which can destroy 75 percent of kidney function until the manifestation of the first clinical symptoms. This phenomenon is observed among the population along the rivers the Kolubara, the Drina, the Sava and the Morava and is called endemic nephropathy. The elements found in trace amounts (Pb, Cd, Si), live agents (bacteria and viruses), fungal plant toxins, genetic factors and immune mechanism can be listed as possible causes. However, uranium in drinking water has not been listed so far. The tests performed in this study clearly show the role of uranium in the epidemic, endemic nephropathy, which is growing and which is not at the acute phase of the disease but has already progressed to renal failure and end-stage kidney disease. Official data on the rise of endemic nephropathy and diabetes and increasing their share in diseases, as well as overall mortality rates, which amount to 18.19%, clearly indicate that the role of uranium in the Branicevo district environment should not be ignored. Since there are settlements on the terrain to be investigated, uranium and its migration through the environment must be monitored as all conditions for its migration are unfortunately favourable.

show abstract

Section: Uraniummentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Uraniummentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Uraniummentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Testing the effects of the presence of uranium in drinking water from individual wells in the village of Dubravica in the Branicevo district on public health

Rajkovic

Stojanovic

Milojkovic³

et al. 2021

J AGR SCI BELGRADE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, if the munition hits a softskinned or lightly armoured target (light tank or armoured personnel carrier) it tends to pass through relatively intact (OSAGWI, 2000). Harley has reported that 10±35% of a DU penetrator aerosolises in the manner described above (Harley et al, 1999). Military exposure to DU therefore results from handling the munitions, being protected by the armour, or being exposed following its use on the battle®eld.…”

Section: Exposure Situationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Given that the biochemical properties of natural uranium and DU are identical and that DU is about 40% less radioactive than natural uranium, the research into the health effects of exposure to natural uranium is valuable since it can be used to describe an upper boundary of the risk of adverse health effects from exposure to DU. Epidemiological studies on occupationally exposed groups including uranium miners, uranium millers, and other miners have been reviewed in several major published works that examine the health effects of uranium (ATSDR, 1999;Harley et al, 1999;Fulco et al, 2000;WHO, 2001a;Royal Society, 2001). Included are analytical studies where chronic exposures exceeded the current occupational exposure standards as well as case reports of large accidental acute exposures.…”

Section: Health Effects Of Uranium Exposurementioning

confidence: 99%

Battlefield use of depleted uranium and the health of veterans

Bolton

Foster

2002

Trauma

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Depleted uranium munitions have been used in recent military operations in both the Gulf and the Balkans and there have been concerns that exposure to depleted uranium may be a cause of `Gulf War Syndrome’ and cancer clusters. We recount the properties of depleted uranium, its military uses, and the situations in which personnel may be exposed. Following a review of scientific literature, the health effects of depleted and natural uranium exposure are described and the major outcomes of research into Gulf Veterans’ Illnesses are summarised. We conclude that, although there is the potential for uranium exposures to cause renal damage or lung cancer, the risk of harm following depleted uranium exposure in military settings seems to be low. We advise on the management of casualties exposed to depleted uranium and suggest control measures that may be appropriate to protect personnel who provide casualty care.

show abstract