Uranium trioxide

EYES: irrigate opened eyes for several minutes under running water. INGESTION: do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth with water (never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person). Seek immediate medical advice. SKIN: should be treated immediately by rinsing the affected parts in cold running water for at least 15 minutes, followed by thorough washing with soap and water. If necessary, the person should shower and change contaminated clothing and shoes, and then must seek medical attention. INHALATION: supply fresh air. If required provide artificial respiration.

Uranium primarily damages the kidney, but may also damage the lungs, central nervous system, and immune system. Uranium's radioactivity is believed to damage the DNA, resulting in carcinogenic effects and reproductive and developmental damage. (L248, L249)

Uranium is combined with either bicarbonate or a plasma protein in the blood but once in the kidney, it is released and forms complexes with phosphate ligands and proteins in the tubular wall, causing damage. Uranium may also inhibit both sodium transport-dependent and independent ATP utilization and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in the renal proximal tubule. Uranium causes respiratory diseases by damaging alveolar epithelium type II cells in the lungs. Uranium induces c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) activation, which in turn induces tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) secretion and generates and inflammatory response in the lungs. Studies have shown that the more soluble the uranium salt, the more toxic it is. Ionizing radiation produced by uranium damages the DNA, resulting in gene mutations and chromosomal aberrations. This can both both initiate and promote carcinogenesis, and interfere with reproduction and development. (L249, A160)