Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Depleted Uranium Shells
My topic for the research paper is on the environmental impact of depleted uranium shells used by militaries around the world, specifically the issue of whether or not to use them at all and possible suitable replacements. This is a major ethical issue since the enemy combatants are not the primary parties damaged by the ill effects of the rounds left after they are inert combatively. The small doses of radioactive particles can get into water supplies much the same way as lead from conventional rounds, but with much worse consequences. Cancer and lesions can ensue, killing local populations and leaving them in medical trouble seeing as how most recent war zones are in countries without world-class medical care. Depleted uranium rounds are dangerous and need to be replaced.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Timex used to advertize its watches with the slogan, "Takes a licking and keeps on ticking." Depletied uranium shells "keep on killing" long after they are fired.
ReplyDeleteIn your paper, I hope you'll be able to tell us how much uranuim is in ammunition around the world and how many people are indirectly killed/harmed by it every year.
In my research, it turns out that a there are hardly any health defects from DU compared to the alternative Tungsten alloy rounds being put into effect. DU can cause lesions, but only around the local area of effect, while TA is systemic and violent in its tumor production. Strange how a so-called "green" alternative can turn out to be worse than something with such a negative reputation.
ReplyDelete