If You Use a Screen Reader
This content is available through Read Online (Free) program, which relies on page scans. Since scans are not currently available to screen readers, please contact JSTOR User Support for access. We'll provide a PDF copy for your screen reader.
Journal Article
Depleted Uranium Exposure and Health Effects in Gulf War Veterans
Katherine S. Squibb and Melissa A. McDiarmid
Philosophical Transactions: Biological Sciences
Vol. 361, No. 1468, The Health of Gulf War Veterans (Apr. 29, 2006), pp. 639-648
Published
by: Royal Society
https://www.jstor.org/stable/20209667
Page Count: 10
You can always find the topics here!
Topics: Uranium, Urine, Veterans, Chemical hazards, Shrapnel, Soldiers, Excretion, Health surveillance, War, Surveillance
Were these topics helpful?
Select the topics that are inaccurate.
Since scans are not currently available to screen readers, please contact JSTOR User Support for access. We'll provide a PDF copy for your screen reader.
Abstract
Health effects stemming from depleted uranium (DU) exposure in a cohort of Gulf War veterans who were in or on US Army vehicles hit by friendly fire involving DU munitions are being carefully monitored through the Baltimore Veterans Affairs (VA) DU Follow-Up Program initiated in 1993. DU exposure in this cohort has been directly measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) isotopic analysis for DU in urine specimens. Soldiers with embedded DU fragments continue to excrete elevated concentrations of U in their urine, documenting ongoing systemic exposure to U released from their fragments. Biennial surveillance visits provide a detailed health assessment that includes basic clinical measures and surveillance for early changes in kidney function, an expected target organ for U. Tests also include measurements of genotoxicity and neuroendocrine, neurocognitive and reproductive function. With the exception of the elevated urine U excretion, no clinically significant expected U-related health effects have been identified to date. Subtle changes in renal function and genotoxicity markers in veterans with urine U concentrations greater than 0.1 μg⁺¹ creatinine, however, indicate the need for continued surveillance of these DU-exposed veterans.
Philosophical Transactions: Biological Sciences © 2006 Royal Society