DUST is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) of international researchers, activists, and scientists dedicated to stopping the use of Depleted Uranium (DU) in military weapons.
The establishment of IDUST marks a crucial expansion of our alliance-building, education, research, and outreach efforts. We leverage the knowledge and skills gained over the past 25 years by our team members.
Depleted Uranium (DU) is a highly toxic heavy metal with a radioactive half-life of 4.5 billion years. It has accumulated in enormous quantities since the dawn of the nuclear age. Despite its name, “Depleted” Uranium retains over half the radioactivity of pure uranium.
Our mission is to increase public awareness of the problems associated with DU weapons and the urgent need to enforce existing international humanitarian and human rights laws that prohibit their use. We have a comprehensive plan to aid in the global elimination of this highly toxic and radioactive material from military arsenals.
Our current on-going projects include:
- Education: We provide information on the health and environmental effects of DU and efforts to ban DU weapons through speaking tours, seminars, and our website.
- Organization: We create local, national, and international forums for community exchange and education, forming dedicated IDUST Teams.
- Research: Our ongoing research explores “Depleted Uranium Industry and Money in Politics,” “Depleted Uranium on Indigenous Lands,” and “Global Proliferation of Depleted Uranium.”
- Health: We promote health and environmental studies in communities, both domestically and internationally, affected by DU contamination.
- Legislation: We work to impact international laws and policies to halt the use of DU in military weapons, and advocate for local legislation regarding testing of returning troops and remediation of contaminated areas.