Iraq and Afghanistan are being bombarded with depleted-uranium munitions on an unparalleled level by Western forces. Because of the length and intensity of these wars, we may see a level of depleted uranium contamination never seen before.
Depleted uranium is a waste product of uranium enrichment. Because of its high density, uranium is used in armor-piercing ammunitions. According to Michael Clarke’s article "Doing the Wrong Thing in Afghanistan-Depleted Uranium: The Definitive Moral Paradox," the depleted uranium contained in every air strike or tank round aerosolizes upon impact, releasing depleted uranium particles into the air and atmosphere. The resulting dust can affect areas within a 1,000-mile radius of the explosion. There is no way to guide where the depleted uranium particles go after detonation. Missiles can pinpoint targets, but radioactive effects cannot be controlled.
Because of its gaseous nature, depleted uranium can drift away from target areas, killing indiscriminately. Without adequate cleanup, the effects are theoretically indefinite. Even one particle has the capacity to cause cancer when absorbed into the body, said Niloufer Bhagwat of the International Criminal Tribunal For Afghanistan at Tokyo.
The Nuclear Policy Research Institute’s 2003 report indicates alpha particles emitted by depleted uranium can cause widespread damage even to cells not directly affected by radiation. The report cites the "bystander effect," in which one injured cell can cause widespread mutation of cells. There is growing evidence that cell damage from depleted uranium can be passed on to future generations, threatening the biological integrity of area residents. This makes calculation of the long-term effects of these weapons almost impossible.
According to Richard Ehrlich’s article "Depleted Uranium Toxicity in Afghanistan," depleted-uranium weaponry also threatens the environmental integrity of entire regions. In Afghanistan there is growing fear that depleted uranium is getting into the food chain and water supply, including the Kabul River, which flows into Pakistan’s Indus River. Because the Indus River provides the lifeblood to Pakistan’s agricultural industry, contamination could cause a widespread humanitarian crisis.
Andre Gsponer and Jean-Pierre Hurni’s report, "Fourth Generation Nuclear Weapons," worries the use of depleted uranium serves a political purpose by softening political resentment against the introduction of radioactivity into the battlefield. While the radioactivity of depleted uranium is low relative to nuclear weaponry, "the battlefield use of depleted-uranium munitions is a dangerous legal precedent, and therefore a major step towards the combat use of nuclear weapons."†
It cannot be stressed enough that there needs to be a strong psychological barrier between the use of conventional and nuclear weapons. If a nation crosses the line and introduces nuclear weapons into battle, there is no way back. It would be a signal that wars can and will go nuclear.
The use of depleted-uranium munitions weakens this psychological barrier, making the eventual use of ‘tactical’ nuclear weapons more likely.
Gilson, a business junior, can be reached via [email protected].
