Iraq bombs loaded with Depleted Uranium?

Depleted uranium means it has lost 60% of its radioactivity, so it will not cause harm from that. The left over radiatin is a very low dose. But there are some claims in the UK of birth defects due to this munition. No proof though.

But the uranium projectiles are designed to penetrate one wall of a tank (or other armored vehicle), and then bounce around inside.

There are some concerns to internal exposure to the DU radiation. But that means it has penetrated the body. I think getting shot with it is more of an immediate concern than long term radiation exposure and getting cancer. Especially if the stuff gets removed. Other internal exposure can occur as stated by others, but again, it is not radiation that is the problem.

Not the bombs; but some types of armor-piercing tank shells use depleted uranium. It would have little use in anything smaller, or in purely explosive munitions. The supposed adverse effects on our own troops - or anyone else - have not been established. Certainly there is no documentation to support some of the wild claims which have been made; but that doesn't mean there isn't something to be found, either.

What a load of CRAP! It is called "Depleted Uranium" for a reason. IT IS DEPLETED! It has no more radioactivity than the drywall in your house or the asphalt in your street. It is, however; very dense. Rounds are not "dipped" in it like said above. It is incorporated into the material that the projectile is made of. This makes the round very dense, enabling it to hold together long enough to pass through the armor of something like a tank. Used primarily in 30mm cannon.

Depleted uranium is used in some Anti Tank Weapons such as tank cannon ammo, and the rounds in the cannon on the A10 Warthog. In particular it is used in weapons which may have to destroy Main Battle Tanks. And it was used as armor in some Main Battle Tanks but it is very heavy and $$$$ so that is not common.

But not all anti tank weapons have DU in them nor does all tank armor contain it.

To say the USA is regulalry using "bombs filled" with depleted uranium is misleading.Sounds like anti war propaganda or just plain ignorance to me.

My understanding is that depleted uranium has been used in artillery shells and missiles for quite a few years now. The tanks are surrounded by depleted uranium armor plating.

Depleted uranium is going away. Tungsten alloy is starting to be used. Any heavy metal works.

No, as others have pointed out it is used as armour piercing projectiles. The problem with it is not that it is radioactive. The problem is that it is a toxic metal and when it is used it often is reduced to a find dust from impact and absorbed into the bodies of the soldiers.

Again, not radiation but heavy metal poisoning from dust and oxides.

A lot of munitions we use have depleted uranium.

It is inaccurate. They use depleted uranium in anti-tank weapons because it is much denser than lead. They aren't bombs but projectiles. It doesn't hurt anyone because by far the most dangerous isotope is removed, thus depleted. I wouldn't keep it under my pillow though.

Not likely. As one poster already said DU is used to penetrate harden targets. Tanks, bunkers and the like. We don't use it in airburst munitions.