Health Concerns
What Type of Health Problems Might Occur?
It is important to note that any health effects would be due to the total amount of uranium present. Health effects would also be related to the amount of time a person is exposed. It is unlikely that a person will have long-term health effects after a single exposure to DU.
The Metal Exposures & Depleted Uranium (MEDU) Surveillance Center has monitored the health of Veterans at highest risk, those exposed to DU from ‘friendly fire’ events, for over 30 years.
Some of these Veterans continue to have higher urine uranium levels due to embedded DU fragments in their bodies. However, to date, few uranium-related health effects have been seen in this group.
Older studies in uranium manufacturing workers showed high exposures to uranium may affect the kidney. In the Veteran group being followed, no health effects on the kidney have been found.
However, recent studies suggest an association between higher urine uranium levels and lower bone mineral density (BMD). The BMD results require further study to determine if they persist over time and researchers and clinicians continue to monitor the health of these Veterans.
Health concerns?
If you are concerned about depleted uranium exposure during service, talk to your health care provider or local VA Environmental Health Coordinator. Ask to be screened for depleted uranium exposure. Veterans who served in the Gulf War, Bosnia, OEF, OIF, or OND may be eligible for the MEDU Surveillance Center’s Depleted Uranium Follow-up Program at the Baltimore VA Medical Center, a program to screen and monitor health problems associated with depleted uranium exposure from friendly fire incidents.
VA offers a variety of health care benefits to eligible Veterans. Learn more about VA health care.
Compensation benefits for health problems
Veterans may file a claim for disability compensation for health problems they believe are related to exposure to depleted uranium during service. VA decides these claims on a case-by-case basis. File a claim online.
Learn more about VA benefits.
Depleted Uranium
Chemical used in tanks and in bullets that penetrate enemy armored vehicles
When a vehicle is hit and penetrated by a DU projectile, it splits into small shards and bursts into flames. The projectile fragmentation may fill the vehicle with flying metal fragments, particles, and dust.
Inhalation, oral, or dermal (wounds)
Southwest Asia, South-Central Asia, Western/Central Europe, Southeastern Europe
Gulf War, Operation Joint Endeavor (OJE), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) / Operation Freedom's Sentinel (OFS), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) / Operation New Dawn (OND)
1990-1991, 1992-1995, 2001-present
The two primary health concerns related to DU exposure are radiation and heavy metal toxicity.
- Radiation - since DU is less radioactive than naturally occurring uranium, this should not be a significant source of concern.
- Heavy metal toxicity - The first organs of concern are the kidneys. Currently, there is no evidence of long-term health effects in Veterans as a result of embedded DU fragments.
The potential for health effects from internal exposure is related to the amount of DU that enters a person’s body. Inhaled DU particles are likely cleared from the lungs over several years. DU fragments may remain for many years. Other health effects being studied are the effects on the kidneys and on bone mineral density.
- Depleted Uranium Fact Sheet
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/docs/depleted-uranium/du_factsheet.pdf
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/depleted_uranium/index.asp.
- Depleted Uranium webpage
- https://health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Health-Readiness/Environmental-Exposures/Depleted-Uranium .
- DoD Depleted Uranium (DU) Library
Get a Registry Evaluation
- Environmental Health Coordinator
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp
Contact your local https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp, https://www.oefoif.va.gov/map.asp, or VA Primary Care Team about getting a registry evaluation.
WRIISC Link
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC)
- https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WARRELATEDILLNESS/referral/index.asp
For evaluation for difficult-to-diagnose conditions, contact your local https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WARRELATEDILLNESS/referral/index.asp.
Depleted Uranium Follow-Up Program
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/depleted_uranium/followup_program.asp
"Depleted Uranium Follow-Up Program screens and monitors Veterans for health problems associated with exposure to depleted uranium (DU). The program is especially geared to Veterans who were on, in or near vehicles hit with 'friendly fire'; rescuers entering burning vehicles, and those near burning vehicles; salvaging damaged vehicles; or near fires involving DU munitions. VA requires active duty service in any of the conflicts listed below to qualify for the DU Follow-Up Program:
- 1990-1991 Gulf War
- Bosnia
- Operation Enduring Freedom
- Operation Iraqi Freedom
- Operation New Dawn
- For more information, visit: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/depleted_uranium/followup_program.asp
1990 2100 Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) / Operation Freedom's Sentinel (OFS) Southwest Asia, South-Central Asia
