X-ray of a bone with embedded uranium particles, symbolizing veteran's health concerns.

Gulf War Veteran Health: Are We Seeing New Long-Term Effects?

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A recent study sheds light on potential bone density issues in veterans exposed to depleted uranium, raising new questions about long-term health surveillance."

For over 25 years, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been closely monitoring the health of Gulf War I veterans who experienced combat incidents involving depleted uranium (DU). This effort was initiated to assess potential adverse health effects from DU exposure, ensuring these veterans receive appropriate medical management.

A recent study focusing on this cohort has revealed a potential new concern: a possible association between depleted uranium exposure and bone density loss, which wasn't apparent in earlier assessments. This article explores these findings, what they might mean for veterans' health, and the ongoing efforts to understand the long-term consequences of DU exposure.

The study, conducted in 2017, evaluated 42 veterans, examining uranium levels in their urine and conducting comprehensive health assessments, including bone mineral density (BMD) measurements for those over 50. The results offer new insights into the potential long-term effects of DU exposure.

What Does Depleted Uranium Exposure Have To Do With Bone Health?

X-ray of a bone with embedded uranium particles, symbolizing veteran's health concerns.

Depleted uranium (DU) is a byproduct of uranium enrichment, used in military applications due to its high density. Gulf War veterans may have been exposed through:

Inhalation of particulate aerosols at the time of impact.
Superficial wound contamination.
Absorption from retained fragments.

DU, once absorbed, can accumulate in the body, with a significant portion depositing in bone. While previous studies have focused on kidney function and other potential health impacts, this recent research highlights a possible connection between DU exposure and bone density. The study found that veterans with higher levels of uranium in their urine also exhibited lower bone mineral density (BMD), raising concerns about potential long-term bone health.

What Does This Mean for Veterans and Future Research?

While the study reveals a potentially significant link between DU exposure and bone density loss, it's important to interpret the findings cautiously. The researchers emphasize that this is a novel observation requiring further investigation to confirm.

Longitudinal surveillance of this cohort is crucial to fully understand the long-term effects of DU exposure. This includes:

Future research should also explore potential mechanisms by which DU might affect bone health, potentially through direct toxicity to bone cells or indirect effects on vitamin D metabolism. Continued monitoring and research are essential to ensure the health and well-being of veterans exposed to depleted uranium.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1080/15287394.2018.1538914, Alternate LINK

Title: Surveillance Results And Bone Effects In The Gulf War Depleted Uranium-Exposed Cohort

Subject: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Journal: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Authors: Melissa A Mcdiarmid, Marianne Cloeren, Joanna M Gaitens, Stella Hines, Elizabeth Streeten, Richard J. Breyer, Clayton H. Brown, Marian Condon, Tracy Roth, Marc Oliver, Lawrence Brown, Moira Dux, Michael R. Lewin-Smith, Frederick Strathmann, Maria A. Velez-Quinones, Patricia Gucer

Published: 2018-10-18

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is Depleted Uranium, and how could veterans have been exposed to it?

Depleted uranium (DU) is a byproduct of uranium enrichment, utilized in military applications owing to its high density. Gulf War veterans might have been exposed to DU through inhalation of particulate aerosols during impacts, superficial wound contamination, or absorption from retained fragments. Once absorbed, DU can accumulate in the body, with a significant portion depositing in bone.

Why is the possible link between Depleted Uranium exposure and bone health so important?

The potential link between Depleted uranium (DU) exposure and bone density is significant because it suggests previously unrecognized long-term health consequences for Gulf War veterans. While earlier assessments focused on kidney function and other impacts, this discovery highlights a new area of concern. If confirmed, this could mean that a greater number of veterans could be at risk for osteoporosis and related health issues. This finding warrants further investigation to understand the full implications for veteran health management and care.

What role has the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) played in monitoring veterans' health?

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been monitoring Gulf War I veterans exposed to Depleted uranium (DU) for over 25 years. The initial monitoring focused on potential adverse health effects from DU exposure, providing appropriate medical management. The recent study adds to this by examining bone mineral density (BMD) measurements. Ongoing surveillance helps to identify previously unacknowledged health impacts, improving veterans’ healthcare.

What specific methods were used in the study to assess the effects of Depleted Uranium exposure?

The study assessed 42 veterans, examining uranium levels in their urine and conducting comprehensive health assessments, including bone mineral density (BMD) measurements for those over 50. The researchers found a potential link between the presence of Depleted uranium (DU) in veterans' urine and reduced bone mineral density. This finding is crucial as it offers new insights into the long-term effects of DU exposure, expanding the scope of health concerns.

What are the next steps following this recent study's findings?

The researchers emphasize that the observed link between Depleted uranium (DU) exposure and bone density loss is a novel observation requiring further confirmation through additional research. Further investigation is required to confirm the association, understand the mechanisms at play, and determine the extent of the impact on veterans' health. This might include larger studies and more detailed analysis to establish the prevalence of this issue and refine the management strategies for veterans affected by DU exposure.