DEPLETED URANIUM PROBLEM

Is Using Depleted Uranium Worth It?

WHAT IS A DU WEAPON

• A metal 1.6x denser than lead
• Pyrophoric
• 60% remains as a solid
• A byproduct

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• Began use in early 90's - Gulf War
• Used as an anti-tank round
• 50 cal. =
• 20 mm = appx. 180 grams
• 120 mm = appx. 4500 grams

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U.S. VIEWPOINT

• Recycles radioactive waste
• Saves U.S. lives
• Superior military firepower

OPPOSING VIEWPOINT

• Health risks
• Environmental damage
• Chemical warfare

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ECONOMIC SOLUTION

• Socially Optimal Output

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• Implicit costs
• Moves aggregate suppy
• Negative Externalities

SOURCES

• http://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/may/18/armstrade.kosovo
• http://www.counterpunch.org/2004/10/09/weapons-of-mass-destruction-found-in...
• http://users.physics.harvard.edu/~wilson/soundscience/Al-Azzawi.pdf
• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/craig-considine/us-depleted-uranium-as-ma_b_3...
• http://www.iacenter.org/depleted/duupdate.htm