Military forces first deployed depleted uranium shells during the 1991 Gulf War, using the high-density waste material from uranium processing to pierce heavy armor in conflicts across Kosovo and Iraq.
When striking a target, the ammunition experiences self-sharpening and can burn or ignite upon contact, prompting ongoing international debate over its health and environmental risks.
Developed by the United States and the United Kingdom in the 1970s, the ammunition utilizes depleted uranium—natural uranium with most of its radioactive material removed—fitted to the tips of tank bullets, mortars, and other rounds to enhance armor-piercing capabilities. The material is also used to reinforce protective armor plating on tanks. Following the 1991 Gulf War, military forces deployed the shells in the 1999 Kosovo conflict and the 2003 Iraq War.
The weapons remain controversial due to their composition. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the material possesses chemical and radioactive toxicity, though its radioactivity level is much lower than that of natural uranium, and chemical toxicity is considered more concerning than radiation effects.
While the IAEA warned of risks for individuals directly handling ammunition fragments, the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) stated in 2016 that it found no evidence of significant poisoning from exposure to the ammunition.
A 2022 report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) warned that exposure to the ammunition can cause skin irritation, kidney failure, and an increased risk of cancer. A 2019 study revealed a potential link between the use of the ammunition and the risk of birth defects in Nasiriyah, Iraq.
The shells are not categorized as nuclear weapons, and no specific international treaty bans their use. The British Ministry of Defence asserted that their use is lawful under international law according to the Geneva Conventions. Despite this, the International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons continues to urge a ban on the ammunition due to prolonged environmental and health impacts.
