DU is a crime against humanity

[Willinois]

I'm not aware of any reports that Depleted Uranium (DU) is being used in the Libyan bombing. But regardless, it's worth being aware of its consequences and that it's still in use by the United States military.

I found this at the International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons website.

Quote:Statement on the potential use of depleted uranium in Libya

At the time of writing there is no definitive evidence that depleted uranium munitions have been used in joint US, UK, French and Italian attacks on Libya. However there is potential for them to be used and ICBUW reminds belligerents of their obligations under IHL.
21 March 2011 - ICBUW

ICBUW is concerned that the current use of US Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier ground attack aircraft could lead to DU contamination should their cannon be deployed against ground targets. ICBUW is also concerned that the potential for contamination may increase significantly as the conflict develops if US Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt ground attack aircraft are deployed.

The majority of platforms that fire DU are land-based, although some air and sea-based platforms have also been developed. The only air-based platforms currently in service with the countries currently involved in the conflict are the US A-10 Thunderbolt and the AV-8B Harrier.

It goes on to list more specifics about which weapons and aircraft using DU could be involved in the bombing.

This is one of many articles that reviews the horrible crime committed against Iraq (and possibly US soldiers) by the use of DU. It doesn't include pictures. I can't look at the horrible pictures of deformed babies even long enough to find a link and post it.

[Capn Sunshine]

Yeah, I admit I did. LOL.

[Cha]

All shit like that should be outlawed. I don't know what the hell they're going to do with them but those in charge don't seem to have a clue or care what deformities are created because of DU.

[Dimwitted Fool]

So's napalm, but they changed the formula a little and changed the name.

[JuniperLea]

(03-21-2011 11:52 PM)Dimwitted Fool Wrote:  So's napalm, but they changed the formula a little and changed the name.

I wonder if you can still get Classic Napalm?

[RoyGBiv]

(03-22-2011 03:45 PM)JuniperLea Wrote:  

(03-21-2011 11:52 PM)Dimwitted Fool Wrote:  So's napalm, but they changed the formula a little and changed the name.

I wonder if you can still get Classic Napalm?

Costs extra, and you can usually only find it at specialty stores.

[USArmyParatrooper]

The valid points made by the OP not withstanding, DU is widely misunderstood. The potential for harmful effects of DU are not.. NOT related to radiation. If that was the case we'd have a mass epidemic of epic proportion all across the military. Abrams tank crew members practically swim in DU all day every day, as DU is a major component of the tank's armament and the armor piercing ammo uses it as well.

AP rounds used in Bradleys, DU. DU is used in so many applications I can't even begin to name them all.

Now, here's the risks involving DU. Whan an armor piercing round (DU) strikes a target it incinerates, turning into a charcoal like substance. If you ingest enough of it, either by inhaling it with or getting it all over your hands and eating you can be poisoned with heavy metal toxicity. Is this a valid concern? Sure. But we're also not talking about a mass area affect. You only have to worry about if you're in the immediate vicinity of the struck vehicle, in which case wearing gloves and a particle mask (or just a cloth over your face) should be worn as a precaution.

[Willinois]

(03-22-2011 05:27 PM)USArmyParatrooper Wrote:  Now, here's the risks involving DU. Whan an armor piercing round (DU) strikes a target it incinerates, turning into a charcoal like substance. If you ingest enough of it, either by inhaling it with or getting it all over your hands and eating you can be poisoned with heavy metal toxicity. Is this a valid concern? Sure. But we're also not talking about a mass area affect. You only have to worry about if you're in the immediate vicinity of the struck vehicle, in which case wearing gloves and a particle mask (or just a cloth over your face) should be worn as a precaution.

This is a point the above website makes, and it explains why it doesn't impact every soldier who uses weapons with DU. But what if the immediate vicinity we're talking about is where a person lives, works or walks every day?


"If that was the case we'd have a mass epidemic of epic proportion all across the military."

Don't we? I don't know whether Gulf War Syndrome will ever be conclusively linked to a single cause but there's plenty of evidence for DU.

[There Is No Spoon]

(03-23-2011 08:42 AM)Willinois Wrote:  

(03-22-2011 05:27 PM)USArmyParatrooper Wrote:  Now, here's the risks involving DU. Whan an armor piercing round (DU) strikes a target it incinerates, turning into a charcoal like substance. If you ingest enough of it, either by inhaling it with or getting it all over your hands and eating you can be poisoned with heavy metal toxicity. Is this a valid concern? Sure. But we're also not talking about a mass area affect. You only have to worry about if you're in the immediate vicinity of the struck vehicle, in which case wearing gloves and a particle mask (or just a cloth over your face) should be worn as a precaution.

This is a point the above website makes, and it explains why it doesn't impact every soldier who uses weapons with DU. But what if the immediate vicinity we're talking about is where a person lives, works or walks every day?


"If that was the case we'd have a mass epidemic of epic proportion all across the military."

Don't we? I don't know whether Gulf War Syndrome will ever be conclusively linked to a single cause but there's plenty of evidence for DU.

Is it that hard to test for heavy metal poisoning? I don't like mysteries - can you point to the evidence?