[sdiy] depleted uranium

[anthony]

Depleted uranium or any uranium like most metals in the actinide series will 
burst into flames if exposed to oxygen. I think it forms a passive oxide 
coating, but when used as a projectile this is stripped off in transit and 
it burns very very hot. Not only is this bad news for the tank it hits, but 
also for anyone in the area whithout SCBA gear because the burning metal 
becomes an aerosolized oxide powder colloid that stays in the air for a long 
time. The miltitary likes to point out how safe it from a radioactivity 
exposure standpoint - you know how standing several feet away from a big 
pile of ready to fire munitions exposes one to a tiny bit of radiation. What 
they don't want anyone to realise is the fact that once a person breathes in 
the oxide dust from deployed munitions those oxide particles are stuck in 
their lungs for months if not years which represents long term constant 
exposure to screaming alpha particles. Also the dust finds its ways into 
nooks and crannies too - armpits and groins etc. And once the uranium oxide 
dust in an area has settled, anyone walking through the area will kick up 
the fine dust as they walk.

When it comes down to winning a war or not winning a war, I can almost 
justify it, but the biggest problem I have is the way the danger has been 
systematically obfuscated. At best I could believe that the government was 
not aware of the actual danger until it had become an essential part of war 
effort munitions, but I think they've had at least 10 years since the last 
war to figure it out.

Oh wait I was going to tie this to synth-diy somehow. I guess I'll just 
write a song about it...