DU

["Andrew Karam" <akaram@safety.rochester.edu>]

I think that a great deal of the information being debated can be found or
referenced in chapter 2 of Stannard's book.  Some specifics include:

-  relative toxicity of UO2 and U3O8 via inhalation are relatively low when
compared to other U compounds (including uranium ore)

-  U leaves soft tissues relatively quickly and recovery from kidney damage
is usually complete except at high doses

-  Kidney damage tends to start reversing itself almost immediately when
exposure stops

-  U oxides are only slightly transportable in the body


There is much more information, of course, in this chapter.  In addition, I
would recommend referencing any of the following books:

Actinides in Man and Animals, Wrenn, 1979 (Proceedings of Snowbird
Actinides Conference)

Radiobiology of Radium and the Actinides in Man, Health Physics vol 44,
Supplement 1 (1983)

The Biokinetics of Uranium in Man, Moore (editor), 1984 

Toxicological Profile for Uranium, US HHS (ATSDR), 1990

Handbook for Experimental Pharmacology, vol 36, U, Pu, and Transplutonium
Elements, Hodges, Stannard, and Hursh (ed), 1973

In addition, I would imagine that a wealth of information exists in the US
Uranium Registry; Ron Kathren may have more information about that source
of information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Andrew Karam, MS, CHP			akaram@safety.rochester.edu
RSO, University of Rochester		http://www.rochester.edu/Admin/EHAS/rshpage.htm 
(716) 275-3781 (voice)				(716) 256-0365 (fax)

"Just as, from the pawprint alone, one recognizes the lion." Johann
Bernoulli, 1697 referring to Newton's anonymous solution of the
brachistochrone problem. 

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