Chemical Toxicity
Detailed research into uranium’s chemical toxicity began in the 1940s, since then it has become clear that, like many other heavy metals, such as lead, chromium, nickel and mercury, uranium exposure can be damaging to health.
While many studies have only investigated the possibility of kidney damage, since 1991, and triggered by concerns over DU, dozens of papers have highlighted other, more worrying, effects of uranium toxicity. Repeated cellular and animal studies have shown that uranium is a kidney toxin, neurotoxin, immunotoxin, mutagen, carcinogen and teratogen.
Compared to the uranium naturally present in the environment, DU dust is a concentrated form of uranium, which is vastly more bioavailable than natural uranium.
Uranium has been shown to bind to DNA strands, where it causes oxidative damage through the generation of free radicals. In mice, it has been shown to irreparably damage white blood cells and alter gene expression, while in hamsters an entirely new form of mutation generation was seen in exposed cells.
Such findings, and others, suggest that not only is DU highly toxic, but that its toxicity and radioactivity may combine to create a synergistic effect, amplifying each other, and thereby increasing the damage caused to cellular structures and mechanisms - which in turn express themselves as tumours or a range of whole-body symptoms.
This page is under construction and further documents will be available soon.
While many studies have only investigated the possibility of kidney damage, since 1991, and triggered by concerns over DU, dozens of papers have highlighted other, more worrying, effects of uranium toxicity. Repeated cellular and animal studies have shown that uranium is a kidney toxin, neurotoxin, immunotoxin, mutagen, carcinogen and teratogen.
Compared to the uranium naturally present in the environment, DU dust is a concentrated form of uranium, which is vastly more bioavailable than natural uranium.
Uranium has been shown to bind to DNA strands, where it causes oxidative damage through the generation of free radicals. In mice, it has been shown to irreparably damage white blood cells and alter gene expression, while in hamsters an entirely new form of mutation generation was seen in exposed cells.
Such findings, and others, suggest that not only is DU highly toxic, but that its toxicity and radioactivity may combine to create a synergistic effect, amplifying each other, and thereby increasing the damage caused to cellular structures and mechanisms - which in turn express themselves as tumours or a range of whole-body symptoms.
This page is under construction and further documents will be available soon.
-
New insight into heavy metal toxicity as uranium is found to disrupt DNA transcription and repair proteins.
Uranyl Acetate as a Direct Inhibitor of DNA-Binding Proteins23 May 2007 - ICBUW -
New Paper Finds Link Between Chemical Toxicity of DU and Lung Damage
Particulate Depleted Uranium is Cytotoxic and Clastogenic to Human Lung Cells9 May 2007 - ICBUW -
Dr Keith Baverstock's Submission to the Belgian Committee on Defence, 2007.
A paper highlighting current concerns over the health hazards relating to DU exposure, focusing on its chemical toxicity. The evidence was a key factor in Belgium's decision to ban uranium weapons.9 May 2007 - ICBUW
Address
ICBUW - International Coalition to Ban Depleted Uranium
Bridge 5 Mill - 22a Beswick Street - Ancoats - Manchester (UK) - M4 7HR
Telephone: +44 (0)161 273 8293 / 8283 - Fax: +44 (0)161 273 8293
email: info@bandepleteduranium.org
Bridge 5 Mill - 22a Beswick Street - Ancoats - Manchester (UK) - M4 7HR
Telephone: +44 (0)161 273 8293 / 8283 - Fax: +44 (0)161 273 8293
email: info@bandepleteduranium.org