This document discusses radioactive components and their effects on human health in Vieques, Puerto Rico. It introduces different types of radiation such as alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. It then focuses on depleted uranium, which is used in munitions and can be inhaled or ingested, leading to both external and internal exposure. Mortality rates on the island are higher for various diseases like cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. The objective is to identify the consequences of depleted uranium exposure by interviewing cancer patients and collecting samples on the island. The hypothesis is that long-term or proximity exposure to depleted uranium can affect human health. Expected results are various health effects from long-term exposure.

1. Radioactive components and human health in Vieques Lysander Borrero Romero RISE Program

2. Introduction Radioactivity: spontaneous disintegration of an unstable atomic nucleus and the emission of particles or electromagnetic radiation. There are three different types of radiation.

3. Alpha particles: are helium nuclei, containing two protons and two neutrons. Beta particles: are electrons being capable of traveling at speeds approaching the speed of light. Gamma rays: high energy electromagnetic radiation with short wavelengths.

4. Uranium In 1789, Martin Heinrich Klaproth was the first to discover uranium along with zirconium and titanium. In 1842,Eugène Melchior Péligot was the first to isolate the uranium in it’s metallic state.

5. Is one of the heaviest natural-occurring elements. Natural uranium contains three radioactive isotopes.

6. Depleted Uranium The radioactive isotope U-234 it is extracted almost completely and almost 1/3 of the U-235 is removed. It is 60% more radioactive than natural uranium. It can also contain small traces of other small radioactive isotopes.

7. It is involved in the fabrication of missiles and projectiles. When a missile or a projectile is launched or fired, it leaves behind a cloud of small particles or dust.

8. There are two types of exposures : External exposure Internal exposure

9. Mortality Rates 25% Children fatality 30% Cancer rate 95% Diabetes 45% Cirrhosis 381% Hypertension

10. Deaths by Cancer C A S E S Y E A R S

11. Objective Identify the consequences of depleted uranium in the human body.

12. Methodology Interview patients with cancer in Vieques and in Puerto Rico. Hair samples Samples of soils, water, algae, and plants.

13. Hypothesis Either long-term exposure or proximity exposure can affect the human health.

14. Expected Results Depleted uranium can cause various effects on the human health, but only on long-term exposure.

15. References Uranium and Depleted Uranium. December 2009. http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf14.html UranioEmpobrecido. January 2001. http://www.un.org/spanish/ua.htm O’Leary, Donald. Uranium. 2000. http://www.ucc.ie/academic/chem/dolchem/html/elem/elem092.html

16. MassolDeyá, Arturo. Díaz de Osborne, Elba. Ciencia y Ecología: Vieques en crisis ambiental. Third Edition. Casa Pueblo. Eugène-Melchior Péligot. (2011). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/449213/Eugene-Melchior-Peligot

17. Silva Iglecia, Antonio. Ponencia ante la comicíon de Hacienda de la cámara de representantes.2001. http://www.rcm.upr.edu/publichealth/bio-epi/Vieques.htm Speaking out for Vieques.2009. http://americanvaluesnetwork.org/vieques/#continue

18. Científicos entregan solicitud ante caso de contaminación en Vieques.2009. http://www.miprv.com/cientificos-entregan-solicitud-ante-caso-de-contaminacion-en-vieques/