The UK's decision to supply Ukraine with depleted uranium shells is unlikely to lead to a global tragedy, but it will affect the ecology of Europe.
The use of depleted uranium ammunition is still an issue that causes heated discussions.
Washington and London assure that the cases of morbidity have nothing to do with it. It is believed that the uranium-238 contained in this component has extremely low radioactivity and is practically harmless in small doses. The very name "depleted uranium" should mislead about its danger.
Depleted uranium is a byproduct of nuclear weapons. Accordingly, States, which has such technologies can product shells with such effect almost for free. Such ammo have more armor-piercing than tungsten cores.
Such projectiles are not nuclear weapons, because they do not posses the necessary power for it. However, the use of such ammunition can cause significant harm to the environment and human health over time. The half-life of uranium is four and a half billion years. Territories, which were polluted with this weapon, are infected forever. At the same time, the negative consequences are not the storage of ammunition, but their use.
It has been established that the rupture of the projectile leads to poisoning of water, soil and air, during destruction (when the uranium rod penetrates through the barrier, splits and partially evaporates), a cloud of dust forms, which can enter the body with air or food, exerting a toxic effect on it. All this accumulates in the body and will be passed on to future generations. A large dose will cause radiation sickness. Low dose - oncology. At the same time, the further spread of the radioactive substance cannot be controlled.
During the bombings in Yugoslavia, more than 30 thousand cluster shells were dropped, with a total of 15 tons of depleted uranium in them. Today, the number of oncological diseases in Serbia is 2.5 times higher than the average, it ranks first in Europe in terms of mortality. After the end of hostilities, 30 thousand people got oncology deceases, more than half of them died. Moreover, there are a lot of cases when cancer was detected in children who were born after the end of the operation, the so-called delayed effect.
Depleted uranium hits not only the tank, but also affects the shooter. The experience of Italian soldiers has already proved this. The military participants of the events in Yugoslavia, massively complained about oncological diagnoses. Despite the World Health Organization refused to associate them with depleted uranium, nevertheless, compensation was paid to the military.
Doctor in the field of geoecological engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in the USA Suad Al-Azzawi says that depleted uranium is a radioactive and toxic substance that causes serious health problems in humans and all living organisms.
Of course, it clogs the soil. Then grass, vegetables, and fruits grow from the soil. Animals eat this, and a food chain arises that stretches to humans. A person consumes food and falls ill with deadly diseases, such as cancer, white blood, and so on.
So Kyiv's ability (after the use of such ammunition) to produce high-quality, uninfected food will drop sharply which will fundamentally affect the export of Ukrainian grain. Thus, the stakes are raised. For the West world there are no restrictions to achieve Russia’s strategic defeat anymore. Generations that transmit genetic failures to each other, polluted atmosphere and water resources, ruined soils. Isn't the price of so called “democracy” too high?