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Updated: 13-Feb-2001 NATO Information

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translation

Precautions to be taken upon finding munitions containing depleted uranium or fragments of such munitions

ANPA (Italian National Environmental Protection Agency)

NATO has made known that it used in Kosovo about 31,000 rounds per A-10 anti-tank aircraft. The rounds are 30 mm and are equipped with a perforating tip composed of about 300 gr of Depleted Uranium.

Upon finding such rounds, or fragments of them, the following precautions should be observed:

  1. Risks posed by Depleted Uranium:

    • DU shows a weak level of external radiation. The intensity of the radiation received as a result of contact with fragments of the rounds used is estimated at about 2 mSv per hour. For the sake of comparison, the established European and Italian limit for limbs and skin is 50 mSv per year per person. Consequently, one would have to be in physical contact for 25 hours with the projectile or fragment in order to reach that amount of radiation.

    • DU is radioactive and chemically toxic and therefore presents a danger especially through inhalation or ingestion of its particles (which form a black dust) released as a result of the collision of a projectile with a tank or other resistant surface.
  1. Avoid picking up the projectiles or fragments of them (a photograph of a 30 mm projectile is included) and notify the nearest armed forces headquarters of their presence.

  2. Should it be necessary to pick up the projectiles in order to avoid that members of the local population, for example children, come into contact with the DU, such projectiles or fragments:

    • should not be in contact with the fingers for long periods;

    • should be picked up using forceps or while protecting the hands with gloves or other material, fabric or preferably plastic, in order to prevent cutaneous penetration of the DU, especially through open wounds, as well as contamination of the skin and clothing, especially in cases of oxydation or corrosion;

    • should not be kept in pockets or in any other recipient (for example, knapsacks) kept near the body;

    • should be placed in a metal wrapping or in multiple layers of plastic, carefully secured with adhesive tape.
  1. Avoid stopping in zones where destroyed or damaged military means are present. Wash hands at the end of any detection operation involving contact with fragments or projectiles or with destroyed or damaged military means.

  2. In order to avoid inhalation or ingestion of DU particles:

    • avoid stirring up dust;

    • protect respiratory organs (nose, mouth) with masks, or with dampened fabric (handkerchiefs);

    • do not eat, drink or smoke while recovering projectiles or fragments, or when near destroyed or damaged military means, in order to avoid accidental ingestion of DU.
  1. Hand over to the Armed Forces the projectiles or fragments, as well as any material used during their recovery.

  2. Confirmation that such projectiles or fragments do contain Depleted Uranium can be obtained only through laboratory analysis or using portable radiation measuring instruments, through comparisons with the environmental make-up in areas where DU was not used. Consequently, no extemporaneous investigations should be undertaken.