Inhalation of uranium

Handling of soluble uranium compounds requires appropriate clothing to prevent skin contact and eye protection to prevent any possible eye contact. Protective clothing requirements for insoluble uranium compounds should prevent repeated or prolonged skin contact. Eye protection for use in handling insoluble uranium compounds should prevent any possibiUty of eye contact. Respirators should always be worn to prevent inhalation of uranium dust, fumes, or gases (38). 

Cross,F.T., Palmer,R.F., Filipy,R.E., Busch,R.H. and B.O. Stuart, Study on the Combined Effects of Smoking and Inhalation of Uranium Ore Dust, Radon Daughters and Diesel Oil Exhaust Fumes in Hamsters and Dogs, Pacific Northwest Laboratory Rep. No. PNL-2744> Richland, National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA., USA (1978). 

It is unlikely that inhalation of uranium produces a significant effect on reproductive health. Studies of one human population group (miners) were located which identified a reproductive effect associated with the inhalation exposure of mine air, but the association with uranium compounds was unclear, and the other miner studies observed no reproductive effects. Also, no adverse animal studies were found. 

Downs WL, Wilson HB, Sylvester GE, et al. 1967. Excretion of uranium by rats following inhalation of uranium dioxide. Health Phys 13 445-453. 

Kathren RL, Moore RH. 1986. Acute accidental inhalation of uranium A 38-year follow-up. Health Phys 51 609-620. 

Schieferdecker H, Dilger H, Doerfel H, et al. 1985. Inhalation of uranium aerosols from uranium dioxide fuel element fabrication. Health Phys 48 29-48. 

Holleman D, Martz D, Schiager K. 1969. Total respiratory deposition of radon daughters from inhalation of uranium mine atmospheres. Health Phys 17 187-192. 

Pacific Northwest Laboratory. 1978. Study of the combined effects of smoking and inhalation of uranium ore dust, radon daughters and diesel oil exhaust fumes in hamsters and dogs. Prepared for NIEHS, Research Triangle Park, NC. PNL-2744. 

The occupational exposure values for the inhalation of uranium have been compiled by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) [14]. These are air concentration exposure limits based on the chemical effects of uranium. In contrast, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has developed the annual limit on intake (ALI) for ingestion and inhalation of uranium compounds based solely on the radiation doses received by tissues and organs of the body [12,15]. Whether the primary concern is the chemical toxicity or radiation dose, the occupational limits take the solubility of the uranium compound into consideration. The occupational limits are summarized in Table 3. It must be emphasized that the air concentration exposure limits are for the typical 8-hr day (see Abbrevi-... 

It should be emphasized that the presenee of uranium in drinking water and food, as well as the possibility of inhalation of uranium eompounds, means that every single individual will be exposed to uranium, and thus, traces of uranium are expected to be found in all bioassays, if the analytical sensitivity is sufficient. The assessment of exposure to DU has reeeived special attention due to the controversy surrounding the possible health effects. Therefore, analytical methods that can also supply accurate and sensitive information on the isotopic composition of uranium in bioassays are preferred over the analytical methods that can only quantify the uranium. Namely, methods based on mass spectrometry can provide a fuU account on the isotopic composition of uranium ( U/ U, and U/ U) while alpha... 

The alpha radiation of the eight alpha-emitting nuclides contained in the U-238 series and, to a lesser degree, of the seven alpha emitters in the U-235 series presents a radiation hazard on ingestion or inhalation of uranium ore (i.e., dust) and radon, while gamma radiation, mainly from Pb-214 and Bi-214, together with beta radiation of Th-234, Pa-234m, Pb-214, Bi-214, and Bi-210, presents an external radiation hazard. 

Care must be taken in handling radon, as with other radioactive materials. The main hazard is from inhalation of the element and its solid daughters which are collected on dust in the air. Good ventilation should be provided where radium, thorium, or actinium is stored to prevent build-up of the element. Radon build-up is a health consideration in uranium mines. Recently radon build-up in homes has been a concern. Many deaths from lung cancer are caused by radon exposure. In the U.S. it is recommended that remedial action be taken if the air in homes exceeds 4 pCi/1. 

Stanley JA, Edison AF, Mewhinney JA. 1982. Distribution, retention and dosimetry of plutonium and americium in the rat, dog and monkey after inhalation of an industrial-mixed uranium and plutonium oxide aerosol. Health Phys 43(4) 521-530. 

Evans, R.D. (1967) On the carcinogenicity of inhaled radon decay products in man. In Radiation exposure of uranium miners, Hearings before Joint Committee on Atomic Energy, US Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 

Small amounts of uranium are found in rock, sod, air, water, and food, and it is estimated that total annual intake of uranium by human adults approximates 460 pg by ingestion of food and water, and 0.6 pg by inhalation (Fisenne et al., 1987 Pietrzak-Flis et al., 2001 UNSCEAR, 2000a, b). Natural uranium is composed of three isotopes, U, and U, in the proportions shown in Table 29.1. 

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