TA152: The danger from dust is far greater than that from the complete cell because of the greater surface area and penetration. What I mean is that if you have a radioactive shell and you are dressed your clothing will provide some protection (it is enough to block alpha particules and some beta particles), on the other hand if you inhale the dust the squamous epithelial cells (flat and wet to those of you who aint biologically minded) of your lungs and bronchi will be exposed to the radiation and it will cause considerably more damage than the complete shell. I am not sure that I can see why the shell is not radioactive until it oxidises but I always believed that the DU provides the core of the projectile so that until it is fired it is enclosed and those handling it are protected. Anyhow, it aint nice stuff, I am going to try and find the REDOX equations for the DU so that I can work out what will happen when its oxidised.

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There's no honorable way to kill, no gentle way to destroy. There is nothing good in war. Except its ending.