David Hambling of New Scientist on 'Safe' alternative to depleted uranium revealed:
Controversial anti-tank shells tipped with depleted uranium may be phased out if an alternative material proves its worth.
The US Army is expected to award a contract this week for the manufacture of prototype ammunition incorporating a "liquid metal" alloy. The new rounds could be in service within two years.
Campaigners have complained for years about the potential health effects of DU – it has been linked to everything from Gulf War syndrome to birth defects. But the health connection is disputed and the military defends its use of DU.
Of course DoD defends its use of DU. As a weapon, it kills quite well. The problem is though, it keeps killing for years after the missiles have been put away and the tanks rolled back into garrison. Do I need to number and categorize my cysts for you?
Now Liquidmetal Technologies, an R&D company based in Tampa, Florida, says it can get comparable performance from penetrators made of an exotic alloy of tungsten.
I'm sure it will do its job, but the real question is – will it make the troops and locals sick?
While many will welcome an alternative to DU, questions remain over the safety of tungsten. Fragments of tungsten embedded in flesh have been shown to cause tumours by Alexandra Miller and her colleagues at the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. However, the toxicity of tungsten when inhaled is believed to be much lower than that of uranium or lead.
In other words, its 'safer' but still not safe. Great.