Chemical and radiological toxicity of uranium compounds

Abstract

Studies into the effects from environmental pollution by uranium compounds have been overviewed. Analysis of the impact of uranium oxides resulted from military operations using armor-piercing shells made of depleted uranium shows a predominance of chemical toxicity caused by the strong oxidizing power of uranyl ions. They induce oxidative stress through the generation of reactive oxygen species. As a result, oxidative damage to biomolecules and disruption of metabolic processes occur. Oxidative DNA damage causes long-term genotoxic effects in the form of mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, and other pathologies. The necessity of prohibiting the use of depleted uranium shells as chemical weapons of mass destruction has been substantiated.