Characterisation and dissolution of depleted uranium aerosols produced during impacts of kinetic energy penetrators against a tank

Aerosols produced during impacts of depleted uranium (DU) penetrators against the glacis (sloping armour) and the turret of a tank were sampled. The concentration and size distribution were determined. Activity median aerodynamic diameters were 1 µm (geometric standard deviation, sg = 3.7) and 2 µm...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Radiation protection dosimetry Vol. 105; no. 1-4; pp. 163 - 166
Main Authors:	Chazel, V., Gerasimo, P., Debouis, V., Laroche, P., Paquet, F.
Format:	Journal Article Conference Proceeding
Language:	English
Published:	Oxford Oxford University Press 01-01-2003
Subjects:	Aerosols Air Pollutants, Radioactive - analysis Air Pollutants, Radioactive - pharmacokinetics Biological and medical sciences Body Burden Computer Simulation Dust - analysis Firearms France Humans Inhalation Exposure - analysis Lung - metabolism Medical sciences Metabolic Clearance Rate Military Personnel Models, Biological Organ Specificity Oxides - analysis Oxides - classification Oxides - pharmacokinetics Particle Size Radiation Dosage Radioactive Waste - analysis Radiometry - instrumentation Radiometry - methods Rheology - methods Uranium - analysis Uranium - classification Uranium - pharmacokinetics France
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Summary:	Aerosols produced during impacts of depleted uranium (DU) penetrators against the glacis (sloping armour) and the turret of a tank were sampled. The concentration and size distribution were determined. Activity median aerodynamic diameters were 1 µm (geometric standard deviation, sg = 3.7) and 2 µm (sg = 2.5), respectively, for glacis and turret. The mean air concentration was 120 Bq m-3, i.e. 8.5 mg m-3 of DU. Filters analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X ray diffraction showed two types of particles (fine particles and large molten particles) composed mainly of a mixture of uranium and aluminium. The uranium oxides were mostly U3O8, UO2.25 and probably UO3.01 and a mixed compound of U and Al. The kinetics of dissolution in three media (HCO3-, HCl and Gamble's solution) were determined using in-vitro tests. The slow dissolution rates were respectively slow, and intermediate between slow and moderate, and the rapid dissolution fractions were mostly intermediate between moderate and fast. According to the in-vitro results for Gamble's solution, and based on a hypothetical single acute inhalation of 90 Bq, effective doses integrated up to 1 y after incorporation were 0.54 and 0.56 mSv respectively, for aerosols from glacis and turret. In comparison, the ICRP limits are 20 mSv y-1 for workers and 1 mSv y-1 for members of public. A kidney concentration of approximately 0.1 µg U g-1 was predicted and should not, in this case, lead to kidney damage.
Bibliography:	PII:0144-8420 local:1050163 istex:FF908B21A32CD6A0274488FA131FBCAEA247D5EA ark:/67375/HXZ-6QBG3K0R-W
ISSN:	0144-8420 1742-3406
DOI:	10.1093/oxfordjournals.rpd.a006214