RESPONDING TO DU
Current guidance reflects a more appropriate response to battlefield DU contamination:
- Brief, life-saving or other mission-essential entries into DU-struck combat vehicles will not expose unprotected personnel to unsafe intakes of DU
- When decontaminating the interior of a DU-struck combat vehicle, soldiers should cover exposed skin and wear a dust mask, protective mask or other approved respirator
- Personnel whose duties require them to work inside DU-struck combat vehicles for extended periods (e.g. BDAR) may receive specialized PPE (e.g. coveralls and lightweight respirators)
Office of the Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses
Current Guidance sent to US/Allied Commanders in the Balkans