Chemical toxicity guidance of uranium

The World Health Organization has certain guidelines for evaluating the values for those who have health-based exposures for chemical substances. The exposure limits can be applicable to a long time exposure of the public. For those who have short time and single exposures, a higher level of exposure can be tolerated without any adverse effects.

  • The public’s exposure through inhalation or through ingestion of DU compounds that are soluble are to be based on 0.5 µg per kilogram of body weight every day. This means that the air concentration should have 1 µg/m3 and 11mg for ingestion by adults in one year.
  • Uranium compounds with low absorption rates that are insoluble are less toxic to kidneys and an exposure intake through ingestion of 5 µg per kilogram of body weight every day is tolerable.
  • If the solubility properties of uranium compounds are not clear, it would be alright to apply 0.5 µg per kilogram of body weight every day through ingestion.

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