Historical QOD 11/24/08: What material is toxicologically unique in that it has the potential to act as both a chemical and a radiological toxicant?
Depleted uranium (DU). DU has the capacity to cause renal injury as a chemical toxicant. Radiologically, DU emits alpha, beta and gamma radiation with alpha emission being the primary hazard if inhaled, ingested or if present in open wounds.
Sztajnkrycer MD, Otten EJ. Chemical and radiological toxicity of depleted uranium. Mil Med. 2004 Mar;169(3):212-6. doi: 10.7205/milmed.169.3.212. PMID: 15080241.
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