Answer to Question #1234 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Q

What are the past and present consumer products that contain depleted uranium?

A

The uses and markets for depleted uranium (DU) are fairly limited and are typically unrelated to its radioactive properties. It primarily finds application as ballast in commercial aircraft and ships because of its high density and in the manufacture of pigments and glazes. Other relatively minor consumer product uses include incorporation into dental porcelain used for false teeth to simulate the fluorescence of natural teeth and in uranium-bearing reagents used in chemistry laboratories. Because of its high density and high atomic number, depleted uranium is sometimes used for shielding gamma radiation, but such usage is limited and hardly could be considered a consumer use. Ditto for munitions, where depleted uranium is used for penetrating rounds, again, hardly a consumer use.

Ronald L. Kathren, CHP
Professor Emeritus
Washington State University