Radiological and toxicological assessment of an external heat (burn) test of the 105MM cartridge, APFSDS-T, XM-744
The potential radiological and toxicological hazard of depleted uranium aerosol release was investigated. This type of release might arise from accidents with XM-774 ammunition involving great heat. Twelve rounds of packaged ammunition were subjected to an external heat (burn) test. Examination of the site on the day following the test revealed that all 12 depleted uranium penetrators were completely intact. Oxidation of the penetrators was not apparent, even on the most severely burned projectile located at ground zero. Eleven of the 12 projectiles were recovered with the sabots intact; some sabots appeared charred. It was concluded that no airborne release of depleted uranium had occurred and subsequently there had been no radiological or toxicological hazard from DU during this test. However, this conclusion may not apply to the release of depleted uranium in other types of fires involving this ammunition because other factors may affect the fire. These factors include type of fuel, number of ammunition rounds, and type of structure housing the ammunition.
- Research Organization:
- Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EY-76-C-06-1830
- OSTI ID:
- 6643283
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-2670; TRN: 78-017421
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
AMMUNITION
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
DEPLETED URANIUM
AIR POLLUTION
CHEMICAL EFFLUENTS
HEALTH HAZARDS
RADIOACTIVE EFFLUENTS
TESTING
ACTINIDES
ELEMENTS
HAZARDS
METALS
POLLUTION
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
URANIUM
WASTES
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
500300 - Environment
Atmospheric- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
570000 - Health & Safety