DU is a by-product of the naturally occurring heavy metal uranium, after the more radioactive isotopes have been removed from uranium ore when it is enriched to make nuclear reactor fuel or nuclear weapons. DU has the same chemical properties as uranium, but because it has had much of its radioactive component removed, it is 40 percent less radioactive than naturally occurring uranium. The main health concern related to DU exposure is chemical toxicity since once inside the body, DU shares metabolic pathways and possible toxicities with other heavy metals. The principal target organ of DU toxicity is the kidney.

Information on DU Properties and Health Effects

• Toxicologic Profile for Uranium, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, February 2013
• Military Health System (MHS) Health Readiness Web pages on effects of DU exposure:
  • Chemical Effects
  • Environmental Effects
  • Health Effects
  • Radiation Effects
• VA DU Web pages
  • VA Fact Sheet: DU, December 2014
• VA War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) DU Web page
  • VA WRIISC Fact Sheet, Information on DU, A Resource for Veterans, Service Members, and Their Families, September 2013
• Environmental Protection Agency: RadTown USA DU Web page
• United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Background on DU