“It’s DEPLEATED.”
So are my pants.
Depleted uranium is a radioactive material that has had most of its highly radioactive isotopes removed, so it emits less radiation than natural uranium.
However, depleted uranium still emits radiation, primarily in the form of alpha particles, which are relatively low-energy and cannot penetrate even a thin layer of skin. The amount of radiation emitted by depleted uranium depends on its purity and the amount of uranium present.
In general, the radiation emitted by depleted uranium is not considered to be a significant health hazard unless it is ingested or inhaled in large quantities. In those cases, the alpha particles could damage nearby tissues and potentially increase the risk of cancer or other health problems. It is important to handle depleted uranium with appropriate precautions, such as wearing protective clothing and using ventilation to prevent inhalation of any dust particles that may contain depleted uranium.
In this case, a large explosion disperses dust into the atmosphere where it is inhaled.