Further information at this LINK

Below are some quotes from the DU Training package which was completed in April 1995. Let me know if you would like a copy and I will email it to you. Chris Kornkven

"Of the possible health risks from DU contamination, the chemical toxic hazard is a greater threat than radiation hazards.  Depleted uranium is a heavy metal, and heavy metals are poisons.  DU is a poison and it is present on today's battlefield in many forms.  You must avoid breathing or swallowing DU because it may damage your internal organs, especially your kidneys."

"Depleted uranium, like lead, is a heavy metal poison and if it remains in the body may cause kidney damage, tissue decay, and affect body processes.  The health effects depend on whether the DU has been ingested, inhaled, or enters the body through open wound, and its solubility.  Solubility is like mixing sugar and water.  Sugar when mixed in water is still there but it is not a visible solid.  Soluble DU can mix with body fluids and thus move around in the blood or tissue. DU dust formed during impacts is more soluble than DU dust formed during fires.  While the critical organ for depleted uranium in soluble form is the kidney, uranium may be deposited in other body organs as well.  Of the insoluble uranium that reaches the deep lung, about 60% is retained about 500 days, irradiating lung alveoli.  Some of the uranium which reaches the blood will be deposited in and retained in the bone for from 1,500 to 5,000 days.  For chronic exposure over long periods of time, the bone may become the critical organ.  Although there are some risks associated with uranium deposited within the body, current medical procedures can effectively minimize the physiological effects."

"Th NRC has set the standard for maximum level of radiation exposure that the general public may receive in the United States.  Although, NRC standards do not apply during combat operations, use them for planning purposes to follow the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle.  Using current Federal standards of 100 mrads/yr., if the level of measured general radioactive contamination within a vehicle is .005 centrigray/hr (5 mrads/hour) or less, you can use the vehicle for 20 hours without exceeding standards.  Crew members can be rotated to minimize individual exposure and increase the time before needing operational decontamination.  It is important to understand that this limit is for regulatory purposes but does not reflect the threshold for health hazards."