What is the main route of intake for depleted uranium exposure?

The primary route of intake for depleted uranium exposure is inhalation. This is particularly significant in scenarios where depleted uranium is used in military applications, such as armor-piercing ammunition. When these materials are fired or impacted, they can create fine particulate matter that becomes airborne.

Inhalation is a critical concern because once particles are inhaled, they can be deposited in the lungs and enter the bloodstream, posing various health risks due to both the chemical toxicity of uranium and its radioactive properties. While other routes, such as ingestion, injection, and skin contact, can result in exposure, these are less common in the context of depleted uranium. For instance, ingestion usually occurs when contaminated dust settles on surfaces or food, requiring more specific circumstances to lead to significant exposure levels compared to inhaling airborne particles.

Given the nature of how depleted uranium is typically encountered in operational environments, inhalation is recognized as the most substantial route for exposure, making it essential for safety practices to focus on minimizing airborne contamination and protecting individuals from inhaling these particles.