# NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Uranium (insoluble compounds, as U) | CAS 7440-61-1 (metal)
U (metal) | RTECS YR3490000 (metal)
Synonyms & Trade Names Uranium metal: Uranium I Synonyms of other insoluble uranium compounds vary depending upon the specific compound. | DOT ID & Guide 2979 162 (metal, pyrophoric)
Exposure Limits | NIOSH REL: Ca TWA 0.2 mg/m3 ST 0.6 mg/m3 See Appendix A
OSHA PEL†: TWA 0.25 mg/m3
IDLH Ca [10 mg/m3 (as U)] | Conversion
Physical Description Metal: Silver-white, malleable, ductile, lustrous solid. [Note: Weakly radioactive.]
MW: 238.0 | BP: 6895°F | MLT: 2097°F | Sol: Insoluble
VP: 0 mmHg (approx) | IP: NA |  | Sp.Gr: 19.05 (metal)
Fl.P: NA | UEL: NA | LEL: NA | MEC: 60 g/m3
Metal: Combustible Solid, especially turnings and powder.
Incompatibilities & Reactivities Carbon dioxide, carbon tetrachloride, nitric acid, fluorine [Note: Complete coverage of uranium metal scrap with oil is essential for prevention of fire.]
Measurement Methods None available
Personal Protection & Sanitation Skin: Prevent skin contact Eyes: Prevent eye contact Wash skin: When contaminated/Daily Remove: When wet or contaminated Change: Daily Provide: Eyewash | First Aid (See procedures) Eye: Irrigate immediately Skin: Soap wash promptly 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: (APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter/Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
Exposure Routes inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms Dermatitis; kidney damage; blood changes; [potential occupational carcinogen]; in animals: lung, lymph node damage [Potential for cancer is a result of alpha-emitting properties & radioactive decay products (e.g., radon).]
Target Organs Skin, kidneys, bone marrow, lymphatic system Cancer Site [lung cancer]
See also: INTRODUCTION