Surveillance for long-term health effects associated with depleted uranium exposure and retained embedded fragments in US veterans.

OBJECTIVE

To ensure that all veterans with retained embedded fragments are properly monitored for potential health effects of embedded materials.

METHODS

Urine biomonitoring and health surveillance programs were developed to gather information about health risks associated with chemicals released from embedded fragments.

RESULTS

Elevated systemic exposure to depleted uranium (DU) that continues to occur in veterans with DU fragments remains a concern, although no clinically significant DU-related health effects have been observed to date. Other metals and local tissue reactions to embedded fragments are also of concern.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowledge gained from these programs will help to develop guidelines for surgical removal of tissue-embedded fragments.