The fact that it is “depleted” uranium means that the radioactive properties that make uranium deadly have been removed. So the claim of the radioactivity leading to these deformities is false and stupid because it doesn’t address the issue of the metal’s actual danger.

Depleted uranium is used because its properties are similar to but denser than lead. Besides its use as ordinance it is also used in the counter weight systems of aircraft and in some of the protective garments placed upon you when you get X-rays at the hospital.

The concern is more of what about the DU levels in water or food after shelling is actually similar to lead poisoning in a community.

If these people actually want to do direct research they can do so easily by looking at the levels in the local areas after plane crashes since this is more than likely the worse case scenario because the heat from the jet fuels will more than likely take the DU in the crafts past their ignition point of 600°C and dispersing it in a partical form similar to areas in a war zone.

That said, having learned a little more since yesterday, I am still quite troubled by the use of this type of munitions and its potentially awful consequences, especially, as you point out, with regards to water and food supply. I’ll do my best to write a more rational and better-researched post on DU in the very near future.

Thanks again for your comment.

You might find this info sheet from the World Health Organization informative on the problems from DU.