Some say that depleted uranium is not a significant health hazard unless it is taken into the body. External exposure to radiation from depleted uranium is generally not a major concern because the alpha particles emitted by its isotopes travel only a few centimeters in air or can be stopped by a sheet of paper.
Some argue that depleted uranium poses no substantial health risk unless it is ingested. External radiation exposure from depleted uranium is typically not a major issue since alpha particles emitted by its isotopes travel only a short distance in air or can be blocked by a sheet of paper.