September 2010
NIOSH Publication Number 2010-168c

Uranium (soluble compounds, as U)

Synonyms & Trade Names
Synonyms vary depending upon the specific soluble uranium compound.
CAS No.
RTECS No.
DOT ID & Guide
 
Conversion
IDLH
Ca [10 mg/m3 (as U)]
See: uranium
Exposure Limits
NIOSH REL
: Ca TWA 0.05 mg/m3 See Appendix A
OSHA PEL
: TWA 0.05 mg/m3
Measurement Methods

None available
Physical Description
Appearance and odor vary depending upon the specific soluble uranium compound.
Properties vary depending upon the specific soluble uranium compound.
Incompatibilities & Reactivities
Uranyl nitrate: combustibles Uranium hexafluoride: water
Exposure Routes
inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms
lacrimation (discharge of tears), conjunctivitis; short breath, cough, chest rales; nausea, vomiting; skin burns; red blood cell, casts in urine; proteinuria; high blood urea nitrogen; [potential occupational carcinogen] Potential for cancer is a result of alpha-emitting properties & radioactive decay products (e.g., radon).
Target Organs
respiratory system, blood, liver, kidneys, lymphatic system, skin, bone marrow
Cancer Site
[lung cancer]
Personal Protection/Sanitation
(See protection codes)
Skin: Prevent skin contact
Eyes: Prevent eye contact
Wash skin: When contaminated/Daily
Remove: When wet or contaminated
Change: Daily
Provide: Eyewash (UF6), Quick drench
First Aid
(See procedures)
Eye: Irrigate immediately
Skin: Water flush immediately
Breathing: Respiratory support
Swallow: Medical attention immediately
Respirator Recommendations

NIOSH

At concentrations above the NIOSH REL, or where there is no REL, at any detectable concentration:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus

Escape (Halides):
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted acid gas canister having an N100, R100, or P100 filter.
Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus

Escape (Non-halides):
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with an N100, R100, or P100 filter.
Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus

Important additional information about respirator selection

See also: INTRODUCTION   See MEDICAL TESTS: 0239