[ RadSafe ] is uranyl oxide gas the greatest threat from the actinides?

[Otto G. Raabe]

At 12:05 PM 10/15/2005, James Salsman wrote:
>Is there any risk from nuclear power or any other use of the
>actinide elements which exceeds that of exposure to uranyl oxide
>gas UO3(g)?
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According to the Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, uranyl oxide is an 
insoluble yellow red powder that never exists as a gas since it decomposes 
on heating before it reaches its melting point.

Uranium compounds are not a major problem in the nuclear industry since 
they are not very toxic.

Otto


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Prof. Otto G. Raabe, Ph.D., CHP
Center for Health & the Environment
(Street Address: Bldg. 3792, Old Davis Road)
University of California, Davis, CA 95616
E-Mail: ograabe at ucdavis.edu
Phone: (530) 752-7754   FAX: (530) 758-6140
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