I've seen a few articles on depleted uranium rounds possibly causing birth defects in the last few years, but most of the articles have a 'doubter'. From what I can tell, the numbers aren't conclusive.
This environmental health site's paper seems to suggest it's a real thing, but I don't know how much to trust the site.
Would someone with better science and google-fu be able to shed some light on this please?
I think that wikipedia pretty much answer the question.
There are some controversies, but it seems that the majority of the studies points toward a correlation between exposure to DU and the risk of birth defects in children.
Depleted uranium - Gulf War syndrome and soldier complaints
Human epidemiological evidence is consistent with increased risk of birth defects in the offspring of persons exposed to DU.[10] A 2001 study of 15,000 February 1991 U.S. Gulf War combat veterans and 15,000 control veterans found that the Gulf War veterans were 1.8 (fathers) to 2.8 (mothers) times more likely to have children with birth defects.[97] After examination of children's medical records two years later, the birth defect rate increased by more than 20%
Anyway, I would like to point out that the primary hazard is chemical and not radioactive (from the same page)
The primary radiation danger from depleted uranium is due to alpha particles, which do not travel far through air, and do not penetrate clothing. Thus, the primary concern is internal exposure, due to inhalation, ingestion or shrapnel contamination. Available evidence suggests that this risk is small relative to the chemical hazard
and
Environmental and Workplace Health : Depleted Uranium
Insoluble depleted uranium is considered the most hazardous form for inhalation as it remains in the lungs. A dose of 1 millisievert would be received from inhaling 8 milligrams of insoluble depleted uranium.
Soluble depleted uranium is the most hazardous form for ingestion as it is absorbed into the body. A dose of 1 millisievert would be received from ingesting about 1400 milligrams of soluble depleted uranium. This route of exposure presents only a small fraction of the potential radiological risk of inhalation for the same amount of intake. The relative radiological risks for ingestion and inhalation are 1:200, if the depleted uranium contains equal amounts of soluble and insoluble forms.
External exposure to depleted uranium presents the least hazard. A person could be completely surrounded by depleted uranium 24 hours a day for a week before receiving a 1 millisievert dose.
I would expect so, but not from a radiological standpoint. Depleted uranium is a heavy metal, like lead and mercury, and so I would expect similar toxic effects.
We are well aware of the dangers lead and mercury pose with regards to birth defects, and we also know uranium is very similar to lead chemically.
Doing a bit of searching, seems most studies focus in on the radiological effects, but I did find http://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q746.html which concludes confirming my expectations: uranium is about as dangerous as lead.
There was a documentary on public german TV on this specific subject, given the footage and claims in there that'd be a clear yes, depending on the level exposure to radiation. In the film, the film maker visits a physician in Basra, Iraq, who clearly confirms this hypothesis from his empirical perspective.
If you happen to come across such a used shell, pick it up and bring it to Germany, this will happen. You will get charged with a felony for setting free radiation. Notable fact: The (otherwise renowned) film-maker went to court to get the documentary broadcasted on the public TV channel that had initially ordered it and won. It then was broadcasted only once, very late at night.
Don't wanna sound like a conspiracy-nut, but the effort displayed here to keep this issue out of the average citizen's awareness is a clear indicator it's no good at all. Thus, i find it conclusive you're having a hard time getting your hands on some hard facts and/or research on this specific issue.
