Re[2]: uranium toxicity

[andrew_scott_at_chppm6__apgea@chppm-ccmail.apgea.army.mil]

     I refer you all to:
     
     Health and Environmental Consequences of Depleted Uranium Use in the 
     US Army: Technical Report, US Army Environmental Policy Institute, 
     June 1995
     
     for further information.
     
     1LT Andrew Scott
     USACHPPM


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: re: uranium toxicity 
Author:  <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu > at internet-mail
Date:    1/26/98 10:26 AM


>As I understand it, the uranium TLV is based solely upon the chemical 
>toxicity to the kidneys.  In this regard, the TLV does not concern 
>itself with the radiotoxicity, and is independent of enrichment levels. 
>I noted Ron Kathren's reply which stated that that depleted or natural 
>uranium, the chemical toxicity is so controlling that radiotoxicity 
>effects can be ignored.  Though a true statement from an acute effects 
>perspective, it is wise to keep in mind that even depleted uranium can 
>cause exceedences of facility administrative control limits or ALARA 
>goals at concentrations less than chemical TLVs, especially if you are 
>dealing with the inhalation of insoluble (i.e., "Y" class) forms of 
>uranium.
>
>G. John Hampshire, CHP, RRPT
>kaitlyn1@concentric.net
>
>(just my own thoughts...)
     
My recollection of chronic U toxicity also puts chemical toxicity far ahead 
of any radiotoxicity regardless of ALARA.  If I remember correctly, chronic 
intake of  depletedU cannot deliver a stochastic dose of consequence 
without first delivering a chemical toxic problem of lethal dimensions.  Am 
I wrong?
mgoldman@ucdavis.edu