Uranium (insoluble compounds, as U)
Synonyms & Trade Names
Uranium I, Uranium metalExposure Limits
NIOSH REL
Ca TWA 0.2 mg/m3 ST 0.6 mg/m3 See Appendix AOSHA PEL
TWA 0.25 mg/m3 See Appendix GPhysical Description
Metal: Silver-white, malleable, ductile, lustrous solid. [Note: Weakly radioactive.]Molecular Weight
238.0Boiling Point
6895°FMelting Point
2097°FSolubility
InsolubleVapor Pressure
0 mmHg (approx)Ionization Potential
NASpecific Gravity
19.05 (metal)Flash Point
NAUpper Exposive Limit
NALower Explosive Limit
NAMinimum Explosive Concentration
60 g/m3
Metal: Combustible Solid, especially turnings and powder.
Incompatibilities & Reactivities
Carbon dioxide, carbon tetrachloride, nitric acid, fluorine [Note: Complete coverage of uranium metal scrap with oil is essential for prevention of fire.]Exposure Routes
inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contactSymptoms
dermatitis; kidney damage; blood changes; ; In Animals: lung, lymph node damage; Potential for cancer is a result of alpha-emitting properties & radioactive decay products (e.g., radon). [potential occupational carcinogen]Target Organs
Skin, kidneys, bone marrow, lymphatic systemCancer Site
[lung cancer]Personal Protection/Sanitation
(See protection codes)Skin:Prevent skin contact
Eyes:Prevent eye contact
Wash skin:When contaminated/Daily
Remove:When wet or contaminated
Change:Daily
Provide:Eyewash
First Aid
(See procedures)Eye:Irrigate immediately
Skin:Soap wash promptly
Breathing:Respiratory support
Swallow:Medical attention immediately
Respirator Recommendations
NIOSH
At concentrations above the NIOSH REL, or where there is no REL, at any detectable concentration:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus
Escape:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with an N100, R100, or P100 filter.
Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
- Page last reviewed:April 11, 2016
- Page last updated:April 11, 2016
- Content source:
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Education and Information Division