I saw fired DU penetrator in the Gulf in 1991. The rod (from 120 mm APFSDS) or part rod was bent and oxidised a shade of green. We were aware of the toxicity and pieces were in sand in an ammo box. I think they had been retrieved from a knocked out AFV. I handled a couple of hundred unfired and unpackaged 120 mm APFSDS for Challenger. My understanding at the time was that they were safe to handle in that state. I'm sure they have to be for the sake of the crews that normally use them.