Are DU Shells Considered Dirty Weapons?

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SUMMARY

Depleted uranium (DU) shells are not classified as dirty weapons despite their slight radioactivity. A dirty weapon is defined as an area denial weapon that makes regions uninhabitable through the release of radioactive or toxic materials. While DU shells can potentially cause health issues, such as cancer and birth defects, their primary function is not to disperse radioactive waste but to serve as effective munitions. The discussion concludes that DU shells should not be grouped with true dirty weapons, as their intended use and effects differ significantly.

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This discussion is beneficial for military strategists, health professionals studying the effects of warfare on civilian populations, and policymakers involved in arms regulation and public health advocacy.

kernelpenguin
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This probably shouldn't be under philosophy, but what the hell.

A dirty weapon is an area denial weapon. It is used to make an area uninhabitable by delivering a payload of radioactive or toxic goo, which is harmful to life. It is feared that terrorists might use dirty weapons in major cities to render them uninhabitable and kill civilians in the process.

Depleted uranium (DU) shells have a slightly radioactive payload and their weight is the property that they are used for. While the radioactivity is of little to no threat to humans, dust from DU shells when inhaled or ingested can allegedly cause cancer and is allegedly to blame for the high rate of deformed births in Iraq following the first Gulf War.

So my question is, do you think that DU shells should be classified as dirty weapons? And what is your reasoning behind this?
 
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From your own definitions, depleted uranium shells are not dirty weapons even though they have some residual radioctivity. They should be banned because of this but it really just confuses the issue to mix them up with genuine area denial weapons. If you wanted to use a dirty weapon for area denial, you would certainlly not choose depleted uranium shells.
 
A dirty weapon is more than that. It is intended to be a weapon of mass descruction and a weapon to instill fear.

Regarding DU causing cancer and it being a dirty weapon. It is a weapon no doubt. But it is not intended to rain radiopactive waste on areas and kill by radioactivity. Under odd circumstances it may be possible for people to get cancer from it under rare conditions. However just because a weapon can do harm it doesn't mean that it will do that harm. I used to smoke. But Philip Morrison wass not trying to use a weapon on me. At least I wouldn't call it a weapon. Yet I could have gotten cancer from it. Cigarettes give off "second hand smoke" and the people around this smoke can get cancer too. Are cigarettes dirty weapons? I don't think so. The DU is the weapon. The residue left over after the DU has served its purpose can cause cancer.

No. I don't consider them dirty weapons.

Pete
 

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