Re: airborne U

[Al Tschaeche <antatnsu@pacbell.net>]

Otto G. Raabe wrote:
> 
> July 23, 1997
> 
> Dear Mike:
> 
> Calculation of radiological risks from pure U-238 is meaningless since the
> actual risk depends on the chemical toxicity of uranium in the kidney not in
> the bone or lung, although both the bone and lung can be a reservoir of this
> potentially toxic element.

Otto, Mike, You bring up an interesting, to me, question.  We all know
that U-238 or natural uranium and uranium enriched to about 5% is a
chemical toxicant, not a radiological one.  And the organ at risk is the
kidney.  All of the DACs, MPCs, etc. for such material make that
assumption.  But, if one has class Y uranium, what is the effect on the
lung of a large mass of uranium in the lung that would be necessary
before the kidney becomes a problem because of translocation of the
uranium from the lung?  In other words, is the kidney really the organ
of concern for such uranium or might there be some lung problem just
because there is so much mass of uranium in the lung, a chemical, not
radiological, problem?

Any thoughts?  Al Tschaeche antatnsu@pacbell.net