Wrong information
I am writing this in response to Shahid Khondoker's letter (December 2). Mr Shahid wrote that 1000-2000 tons of depleted uranium (DU) was used in the Iraq war. This figure is false. The amount of DU used in Gulf War 2 is far less than the first war. DU is primarily used in anti-tank weapons. Since very few tank vs tank battles took place there is no reason so much DU would be used. US and British tanks would be using HEAT rounds instead. Mr Shahid writes that the DU will remain toxic for over 4 billion years and will spread across the Middle East. This is false fear mongering. In reality DU is less radioactive than dirt! It is only toxic if it is ingested.
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