Depleted uranium can be detected in urine

LEICESTER, England, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- A British study found traces of depleted uranium in urine 20 years after exposure even when the concentration was at the low end of the normal range.

University of Leicester geologist Randall R. Parrish developed a new method to detect depleted uranium in individuals, using MC-ICP mass spectrometry capable of detecting an individual’s exposure to depleted uranium up to 20 years after the event.

"We developed this method and applied it to individuals, either known or likely to have had a depleted uranium aerosol inhalation exposure, and to a large voluntary cohort of 1991 Gulf conflict veterans to assess depleted uranium exposure screening reliability and accumulate data on exposure," Parrish said in a statement. "Our method ... shows that the occurrence of depleted uranium in 1991 Gulf Conflict veterans is likely to be uncommon to rare, but if a significant inhalation exposure occurred then it can be detected in urine for decades to come."

Parrish is scheduled to present his findings Sunday in Denver at the 119th annual meeting of the Geological Society of America at the Colorado Convention Center.