3 uranium

Question 1

what is U?

Answer 1

uranium
-atomic number 92
-nonessential

radiation toxicity
-alpha particles
-radionuclides (234U, 235U, 238U)

oxidation states:
-+3, +4, +5->nontoxic
-+6->toxic (UO3, UF6, UO22+)

Question 2

what are the sources of U?

Answer 2

uranium mines
-waste rock
-tailings
-effluents
-mining operations are required to pay for environmental monitoring programs in “receiving environment” (aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems affected by pollution)

Question 3

what are the ecological exposures?

Answer 3

ecological: aquatic and terrestrial (radionuclides and metals)
-open mining pits
-waste rock piles
-tailings storage: effluent

Question 4

what are the tailings storage exposure?

Answer 4

tailings storage
-in tailing management facilities (TMFs)

deposited underwater to:
-prevent them from oxidizing
-provide shielding from radiation emanating from the tailings
-stop dust from blowing off the surface of the tailings

Question 5

what is the human exposure to U?

Answer 5

-air borne
-drinking water
-diet
-occupational

Question 6

what can U undergo?

Answer 6

radioactive decay
-alpha
-beta

Question 7

what is Rn-222?

Answer 7

radon
-the canadian guideline for radon in indoor air for dwellings is 200 becquerels per cubic meter (200 Bq/m3)

Question 8

what is the absorption of U?

Answer 8

-inhalation (major)
-oral

Question 9

what is the distribution of U?

Answer 9

-bones: 66%
-liver: 16%
-kidney: 8%

Question 10

what is the excretion of U?

Answer 10

urine
-2/3 over first 24 hours

Question 11

what are the effects of U on the kidneys?

Answer 11

-necrosis: proximal tubules
-basement membrane: glomeruli

Question 12

what are the carcinogen effects of U?

Answer 12

lung
-occupational
-radon and daughter products

Question 13

what are the reproductive and defects effects of U?

Answer 13

-decreased fertility
-reduced growth
-reduced bone growth and osteoporosis

Question 14

what are the regulatory agencies?

Answer 14

-fisheries and oceans canada
-canadian nuclear safety commission (CNSC)
-saskatchewan environment

environment and climate change canada (environmental effects monitoring (EEF) program for metal mines)
-fisheries act and metal mining effluent regulations (MMER)