Chemical Reactivity - doe-hdbk-1113-98_reaffirm_2005

DOE-HDBK-1113-98

Module 101 Properties of Uranium

Lesson Plan

Instructor's Notes

Past industrial experience has proven that if there is

a long-term exposure of small amounts of uranium

(chronic exposure), the radiological effects are the

primary biological concern. In fact, for chronic

exposures, a development of tolerance against the

toxicological effects may occur. The principal

radiological hazard associated with uranium is due

to the relatively high energy alpha particles its

radionuclides and daughters emit. A chronic

exposure to these radionuclides result in an

increased risk of cancer, typically in the bones,

kidney, and lungs, since these are the organs where

uranium is deposited.

The chemistry of uranium is complicated. For

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example, uranium forms several oxides: UO, UO2

UO3, and UO4. In general, a sample of uranium

oxide will include a mixture of several of these. For

example, U3O8 is sometimes written as

(UO2)2(UO3).