AW: [ RadSafe ] Question about danger of Uranyl Nitrate solution

[Franz Schönhofer]

Felipe,

I have to confess that I did not know, that uranyl nitrate was dissolvable
in acetone. Taking this for granted I cannot imagine (other words: it is
impossible) that vapours of this solution would contain any uranium. 

Nevertheless all the solvents you describe, especially benzene and
tetrachloroethylene are well known to be cancerogens. Their maximum
permissible concentrations can be found in the legislation of your or the
country where these experiments were undertaken. If the research was
undertaken in a fume hood - standard precautions - there is no danger for
any experimentator. 

Franz

Franz Schoenhofer
PhD, MR iR
Habicherg. 31/7
A-1160 Vienna
AUSTRIA
phone -43-0699-1168-1319


> -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
> Von: radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl [mailto:radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl] Im
> Auftrag von Felipe Gaitan
> Gesendet: Sonntag, 08. Jänner 2006 02:32
> An: radsafe at radlab.nl
> Betreff: [ RadSafe ] Question about danger of Uranyl Nitrate solution
> 
> Dear Radsafers,
> 
> I am reviewing a paper in which they irradiate with ultrasound a
> solution containing 7 g of Uranyl Nitrate (UN, 99.3% U-238) dissolved
> in a mixture of Acetone (14%), Benzene (43%), and Tetrachloroethylene
> (43%).  Percentages are by volume. According to the paper, UN is only
> soluble in Acetone so they prepared this solution first before adding
> the Benzene and the Tetrachloroethylene.  UN is used as a source of
> alpha particles.
> 
> My question is, how dangerous is this solution if the vapors were
> inhaled and/or absorbed through the skin?
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> 
> Felipe
> 
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