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Answer to Question #4795 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"Category: Alpha Emitters — Uranium The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field: Q
I have several questions that could not be answered by my doctors
concerning long-term heath issues and their relationship to my past
employment with a government contractor. When I was 18 years old I was
employed by a company that produced depleted uranium (DU) projectiles
for the military. I was employed for 14 months. My exposure to DU
during my duties included all aspects from raw stock to quality
control, with the greater time spent running an ultrasound machine
checking the internal structure of 6 kilogram round bars immersed in
water 8 to 10 hours per day five to six days per week. I ended my
employment only after serious illness had set in which the company
denied was a result of my exposure. I had bleeding from my mouth, nose,
and gums and in my stool, resulting in stomach ulcers and extreme weight
loss. Since that time my health has always been poor. At 36 years old I had a
back injury and was diagnosed with osteoporosis, degenerative
arthritis, and extensive bone loss for my age and sex (male). I have
also lost almost all of my teeth due to degeneration. My employment has
always been labor intensive so the bone loss is not due to lack of
physical activity. Could the exposure to DU at such a young age have
caused all of these effects? I am now 43 years old and my overall health is
deteriorating. Is there any type of treatment to reverse the effects to
my osteoporosis?
A
I am sorry to hear of your health problems. However, the effects you
describe have not been associated with exposure to uranium.
Specifically, exposure to uranium has not been found to cause
osteoporosis in humans. Neither has osteoporosis been seen in
experimental studies in which animals were exposed to uranium. It is
highly unlikely that you suffered a significant exposure to depleted
uranium during your 14 months of employment as government contractors
are required to follow rigid safety procedures to limit exposure of
their workers and continually monitor both the workers and the work
environment to be sure that these safety standards are met. With
respect to reversal of effects, your physician would be the best person
to advise you on treatment for your osteoporosis. I wish you good luck
with your medical treatment.
Answer posted on 27 September 2005. The information and material posted on this website is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Website. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.
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