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Title: Applications of Capstone Depleted Uranium Aerosol Risk Data to Military Combat Risk Management

Abstract

Risks to personnel engaged in military operations include not only the threat of enemy firepower but also risks from exposure to other hazards such as radiation. Combatant commanders of the U. S. Army carefully weigh risks of casualties before implementing battlefield actions using an established paradigm that take these risks into consideration. As a result of the inclusion of depleted uranium (DU) anti-armor ammunition in the conventional (non-nuclear) weapons arsenal, the potential for exposure to DU aerosols and its associated chemical and radiological effects becomes an element of the commanders’ risk assessment. The Capstone DU Aerosol Study measured the range of likely DU oxide aerosol concentrations created inside a combat vehicle perforated with a DU munition, and the Capstone Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) estimated the associated doses and calculated risks. This paper focuses on the development of a scientific approach to adapt the risks from DU’s non uniform dose distribution within the body using the current U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) radiation risk management approach. The approach developed equates the Radiation Exposure Status (RES) categories to the estimated radiological risks of DU and makes use of the Capstone-developed Renal Effects Group (REG) as a measure of chemical risk frommore » DU intake. Recommendations are provided for modifying Army guidance and policy in order to better encompass the potential risks from DU aerosol inhalation during military operations.« less

Authors:
; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
949880
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-63380
Journal ID: ISSN 0017-9078; HLTPAO; 400403209; TRN: US0901914
DOE Contract Number:  
AC05-76RL01830
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Health Physics, 96(3):380-392
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 96; Journal Issue: 3; Journal ID: ISSN 0017-9078
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS; 45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE; AEROSOLS; AMMUNITION; DEPLETED URANIUM; INHALATION; MANAGEMENT; OXIDES; PERSONNEL; RADIATION DOSE DISTRIBUTIONS; RADIATIONS; RECOMMENDATIONS; RISK ASSESSMENT; US DOD; WEAPONS; radiation exposure status; renal effects group; depleted uranium policy

Citation Formats

Daxon, Eric G, Parkhurst, MaryAnn, Melanson, Mark A, and Roszell, Laurie E. Applications of Capstone Depleted Uranium Aerosol Risk Data to Military Combat Risk Management. United States: N. p., 2009. Web. doi:10.1097/01.HP.0000341958.98248.00.
Daxon, Eric G, Parkhurst, MaryAnn, Melanson, Mark A, & Roszell, Laurie E. Applications of Capstone Depleted Uranium Aerosol Risk Data to Military Combat Risk Management. United States. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.HP.0000341958.98248.00
Daxon, Eric G, Parkhurst, MaryAnn, Melanson, Mark A, and Roszell, Laurie E. 2009. "Applications of Capstone Depleted Uranium Aerosol Risk Data to Military Combat Risk Management". United States. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.HP.0000341958.98248.00.
@article{osti_949880,
title = {Applications of Capstone Depleted Uranium Aerosol Risk Data to Military Combat Risk Management},
author = {Daxon, Eric G and Parkhurst, MaryAnn and Melanson, Mark A and Roszell, Laurie E},
abstractNote = {Risks to personnel engaged in military operations include not only the threat of enemy firepower but also risks from exposure to other hazards such as radiation. Combatant commanders of the U. S. Army carefully weigh risks of casualties before implementing battlefield actions using an established paradigm that take these risks into consideration. As a result of the inclusion of depleted uranium (DU) anti-armor ammunition in the conventional (non-nuclear) weapons arsenal, the potential for exposure to DU aerosols and its associated chemical and radiological effects becomes an element of the commanders’ risk assessment. The Capstone DU Aerosol Study measured the range of likely DU oxide aerosol concentrations created inside a combat vehicle perforated with a DU munition, and the Capstone Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) estimated the associated doses and calculated risks. This paper focuses on the development of a scientific approach to adapt the risks from DU’s non uniform dose distribution within the body using the current U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) radiation risk management approach. The approach developed equates the Radiation Exposure Status (RES) categories to the estimated radiological risks of DU and makes use of the Capstone-developed Renal Effects Group (REG) as a measure of chemical risk from DU intake. Recommendations are provided for modifying Army guidance and policy in order to better encompass the potential risks from DU aerosol inhalation during military operations.},
doi = {10.1097/01.HP.0000341958.98248.00},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/949880}, journal = {Health Physics, 96(3):380-392},
issn = {0017-9078},
number = 3,
volume = 96,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 2009},
month = {Sun Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 2009}
}