[ RadSafe ] pyrophoric uranium considered nonessential

[James Salsman]

Otto Raabe wrote:

>... the  actual characteristics of DU aerosols including UO3 and the
> actual biological risks thereof [are] clear that the actual risks 
> are minimal, and limited to kidney damage....

Does anyone have any evidence that uranium is not a reproductive toxin?

   "Degenerative changes in the testes resulting in aspermia in the
   testes and epididymis [were] apparently a result of uranyl nitrate"
   -- Maynard, E.A., Downs, W.L. and Hodge, H.C., "Oral toxicity of
   uranium compounds," in Voegtlin, C. and Hodge, H.C., editors,
   _Pharmacology and Toxicology of Uranium_, Volume 3 (New York:
   McGraw-Hill, 1953), pp. 1221-1369.

Recent studies confirm that uranium is a reproductive toxin:

   "In rats, there is strong evidence of depleted uranium accumulation
   in tissues including testes, bone, kidneys, and brain." -- Pellmar,
   et al., "Distribution of uranium in rats implanted with depleted
   uranium pellets," _Toxicol Sci_, vol. 49 (1999) pp. 29-39.

   "existing data indicate that implanted DU translocates to the
   rodent testes and ovary, the placenta, and fetus.... DU has been
   shown to be genotoxic...." Benson, K.A., Evaluation of the health
   risks of embedded depleted uranium (DU) shrapnel on pregnancy and
   offspring development, Annual Report No. 19981118065, October 1998.

That obscure publication cites A.C. Miller of the U.S. Armed Forces
Radiobiology Research Institute, who indicates that the chemical
toxicity of uranium is about six orders of decimal magnitude worse
than its radiological hazard, in "Depleted uranium-catalyzed
oxidative DNA damage: absence of significant alpha particle decay,"
Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, vol. 91 (2002), pp 246–252:
   http://www.bovik.org/du/Miller-DNA-damage.pdf

Please see also:
   http://www.bovik.org/du/chromosome-abberations.pdf
   http://www.bovik.org/du/chromosome-abberations.ppt

> Airborne monomeric UO3 is not a gas at room temperatures

So it's a vapor.  Why split hairs?

Sincerely,
James Salsman