some occupation troops have DU contamination

[meow mix]

from our own weapons. how is that stuff a good idea?

good article..
http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/180333p-156685c.html

Kilpatrick said about 1,000 G.I.s back from the war have been tested by the Pentagon for depleted uranium and only three have come up positive - all as a result of shrapnel from DU shells.

But the test results for the New York guardsmen - four of nine positives for DU - suggest the potential for more extensive radiation exposure among coalition troops and Iraqi civilians.

Several Army studies in recent years have concluded that the low-level radiation emitted when shells containing DU explode poses no significant dangers. But some independent scientists and a few of the ­Army's own reports indicate otherwise.

As a result, depleted uranium weapons have sparked increasing controversy around the world. In January 2003, the ­European Parliament called for a moratorium on their use after reports of an unusual number of leukemia deaths among Italian soldiers who served in Kosovo, where DU weapons were used.

[JaySherman]

1. Ohhh. DU as in 'Depleted Uranium."

I saw the thread title and thought, "Are the troops checking out Democratic Underground? And has the Army officially labeled us a morale hazard or something?" :think:

[meow mix]

3. theyd be better of with OUR kind of DU

too bad..

[Virginian]

2. Why do we use Depleted Uranium in weapons?

Could it be considered a weapon of mass destruction?

[dfong63]

5. it's very dense - gives munitions a big punch

and it burns when it hits a tank - helping penetrate the armor.

as if that wasn't enough, the government provides it free to arms makers.

[FDRrocks]

4. This was a well talked about issue last year...

I remember discussions here and on IE America about hospitals of unreported and seemingly uncared about ill showing symptoms of DU poisoning.

Of course, since we use uranium on many of our military vehicles and bomes, theres plenty of DU dust to go around.

Gulf War Syndrome Redux.

[strategery blunder]

6. Not to mention its effects on civilians...

<http://www.bushflash.com/pl_lo.html>