Pentagon Press Sec: 'The CDC Has Stated There is No Evidence That Depleted Uranium Rounds Cause Cancer'

PENTAGON Spokesperson: "I would push back on the assertion from Russian officials here. The CDC has stated that there is no evidence that the depleted uranium rounds cause cancer." 🤡 pic.twitter.com/fzN2Ssozy0

— COMBATE |🇵🇷 (@upholdreality) September 8, 2023

Q: Sabrina, on the uranium rounds that were announced...

DEPUTY PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY SABRINA SINGH: Yeah.

Q: ... the Kremlin criticized -- has now criticized it as a bad move, discussing the cancer-causing nature of -- of the product, a criticism that others have brought up, obviously, in the past. What is your response to people who are greatly concerned about that aspect of this weapon?

MS. SINGH: Yeah.

Q: And secondly, can you address what the U.S. thinks is the benefit that these rounds will bring? And how soon will they be on the battlefield?

MS. SINGH: Sure. So on the first question, in terms of the health impacts of the depleted uranium rounds, I would push back on the assertion from Russian officials. Here, the CDC has stated that there is no evidence that the depleted uranium rounds cause cancer. The World Health Organization reports that there has been no increase of leukemia or other cancers and -- that have been established following any exposure to uranium or D.U. And even the IAEA has stated unequivocally that there is no proven link between D.U. exposure and increases in cancers or significant health or environmental impacts, so I would push back on that. In terms of your second question, these are anti-tank rounds. They're meant to pierce tanks, and they're meant to be used -- they will be used very effectively on the battlefield. These are standard issued rounds. These are what these Abrams tanks will use, and many militaries across the world use depleted uranium in their tanks. So we feel that these will be the most effective rounds to counter Russian tanks, and will help continue -- will help the Ukrainians to defend their -- the battlefield -- to defend their territory.

Soldiers can be exposed when projectiles strike their targets. They can fragment, releasing fine particles that can contaminate the area and be inhaled or ingested.

Military personnel involved in handling, transporting or working near depleted uranium munitions or damaged armoured vehicles can also be at risk.

There are also potential long term environmental impacts of DU in post-conflict zones – whether heavy metals leaking into water or residents being in close contact with the ammunition.