This is the first time I ever heard this!! Has anyone else heard this? Is this the cause of Gulf War Syndrome?
2007-10-28 17:36:26 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Jon Stud: This is my friend that works in the VA and does the tests.
Thanks for your answers!!
Somehow that stuff is getting in their blood system, it can't be good for you.
2007-10-28 17:58:59 · update #1
Why the hostility Desert Viking?
She is reassigned she is in Medical School now. If your saying it can't get in your blood system then I guess its completely safe thank God!
2007-10-28 18:29:13 · update #2
Im not a doctor I may have mispoken I dont know what tests they did, she actually said tested positive for... I am not a doctor or medically trained, I was just concerned and wanted to know more not get insults from defensive people.
2007-10-28 18:32:52 · update #3
Thanks Voelker: I think our military is good. No I don't think our military would purposly try to kill its own, nor am I trying to make a political point.
2007-10-28 18:47:04 · update #4
Dave: Unranium is naturally occurring but I believe it is very, very rare and you can't pick it up by driving out west.
2007-10-28 19:44:37 · update #5
This is a subject of much debate. They are referring to depleted uranium, (yes this is u-238) or D-38 in military circles. Depleted uranium is very dense and is used as an armor piercing munition (bullet) and for armor plate. For instance, some late-production M1A1HA and M1A2 tanks have DU reinforcement as part of its armor plating in the front of the hull and the front of the turret.
As for its effect on people, DU has been known to be detectable long after exposure. As for any ill effects no one knows, no study has uncovered anything. (that I'm aware of)
Many things have been suggested as a cause for "gulf war syndrome" From anti nerve gas meds, to insect repelant (deet) to a micro-organism called a plasmid. Because no one has ever pinned down a cause the VA decided that the whole thing was BS. Who knows what the eventual determination will be here.
2007-10-28 17:52:32 · answer #1 · answered by m167a1 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Since most uranium out there is U238 and can found in its natural state, it could be picked up just by driving through a place where uranium is found. IE: parts of the west where uranium is found.
Since the radiation level of U238 is low, even lower than naturally occurring uranium, I doubt that is what causes Gulf War Syndrome.
I think that nurse is an alarmist and an example of where a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.
2007-10-29 02:09:39 · answer #2 · answered by forgivebutdonotforget911 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It was in the newspaper about two weeks ago and researchers are looking at the link between the vets with U-238 and Gulf War Syndrome...not everybody with U-238 in their blood had Gulf War Syndrome.
2007-10-29 00:44:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
First - you are not going to detect uranium through a simple 'blood test.'
Second - so far nobody has been able to describe the symptoms of Gulf War Syndrome. This is a 'disease' that exists more through political lobbying than any medical basis.
2007-10-29 09:57:19 · answer #4 · answered by MikeGolf 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How would U-238 get into the blood stream? Even if ingested, it might not get into the blood. And how would it be ingested?
Depleted uranium is used in the penetrator of a SABAT tank round. But it does explode, so they is no uranium debris flying around in the air.
2007-10-29 01:15:57 · answer #5 · answered by wichitaor1 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
More of a conspiracy theroy than anything else. My duties in Iraq exposed me to possible radoactive materials. Because of this I wore a device that monitored the amout of RADs my body was exposed to. Every two weeks it was checked to make sure I was within allowable limits. This is SOP for Army personel who are at risk of radiation poisoning. I'm sure there are vets who test positive for U238, but I'd bet they knew before they ever left theater.
THE ARMY DOES NOT TRY TO KILL THEIR OWN.
2007-10-29 01:39:22 · answer #6 · answered by voelker_n 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I don't know about the question I just wanted to reply to everyone mentioning DU ammo. D/U is no longer used by the U.S. for the manufacture of ammo. While it was widley used during the first gulf war, it has been replaced by "safer" matireals due to health concerns
2007-10-29 01:22:40 · answer #7 · answered by im_the_online_jesus_fukers 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Your nurse is full of it. U-238 is not detected by a blood test.
If that is representative of her knowledge of hematology, she needs to be reassigned to cleaning out bed pans!
2007-10-29 01:14:54 · answer #8 · answered by desertviking_00 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
rumors, gossip, second hand knowledge! Show proof, evidence?
2007-10-29 00:40:26 · answer #9 · answered by john stud 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋