Answer to Question #4795 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Q

I have several questions that could not be answered by my doctors concerning long-term heath issues and their relationship to my past employment with a government contractor. When I was 18 years old I was employed by a company that produced depleted uranium (DU) projectiles for the military. I was employed for 14 months. My exposure to DU during my duties included all aspects from raw stock to quality control, with the greater time spent running an ultrasound machine checking the internal structure of 6 kilogram round bars immersed in water 8 to 10 hours per day five to six days per week. I ended my employment only after serious illness had set in which the company denied was a result of my exposure. I had bleeding from my mouth, nose, and gums and in my stool, resulting in stomach ulcers and extreme weight loss. Since that time my health has always been poor. At 36 years old I had a back injury and was diagnosed with osteoporosis, degenerative arthritis, and extensive bone loss for my age and sex (male). I have also lost almost all of my teeth due to degeneration. My employment has always been labor intensive so the bone loss is not due to lack of physical activity. Could the exposure to DU at such a young age have caused all of these effects? I am now 43 years old and my overall health is deteriorating. Is there any type of treatment to reverse the effects to my osteoporosis?

A

I am sorry to hear of your health problems. However, the effects you describe have not been associated with exposure to uranium. Specifically, exposure to uranium has not been found to cause osteoporosis in humans. Neither has osteoporosis been seen in experimental studies in which animals were exposed to uranium. It is highly unlikely that you suffered a significant exposure to depleted uranium during your 14 months of employment as government contractors are required to follow rigid safety procedures to limit exposure of their workers and continually monitor both the workers and the work environment to be sure that these safety standards are met. With respect to reversal of effects, your physician would be the best person to advise you on treatment for your osteoporosis. I wish you good luck with your medical treatment.
 
Ron Kathren
Professor Emeritus
Washington State University