Uranium hexafluoride

Toxic Gases & Vapors -> Other Toxic Gases & Vapors

Reactive agents - 1st degree

5.09 at 20.7 °C/4 °C; (liq): 3.595 at 70 °C

Relative density (water = 1): 5.1

5.09 @25 °C

Volatile white monoclinic crystalline solid

White crystalline solid

Deliquescent

Sol in liq chlorine and bromine. ... Sol in carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and sym tetrachloroethane, Cl2CHCHCl2, which forms the most stable soln, extensive reaction occurring only after several days at room temp. Sol in fluorocarbons (C6F6 or C7F16) without reaction.

Dissolves in nitrobenzene to give a dark red soln fuming in air.

INSOL IN CARBON DISULFIDE

Reacts with water; soluble in carbon tetrachloride, chloroform

Solubility in water at 20 °C: reaction

Uranium hexafluoride will attack some forms of plastics, rubber, and coatings.

Highly corrosive

When heated to decomp it emits toxic fumes of /hydrogen fluoride/.

Decomposed by water, ethanol, and ethyl ether.

64.8 °C

64.5 °C at 2 atm

115.0 [mmHg]

115 mm Hg at 25 °C

Vapor pressure, kPa at 20 °C: 14.2

115 [mm Hg] @25 °C

Radioactive material, uranium hexafluoride, fissile appears as a colorless volatile white crystalline solid. Highly toxic and corrosive. Radioactive. Emits high energy rays which may be harmful and are detectable only by special instruments. Chemically irritates skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Used to make fuel for nuclear power plants.

Radioactive material, uranium hexafluoride, non-fissile or fissile excepted appears as a colorless volatile radioactive crystalline solid. Highly toxic and corrosive. Radioactive. Emits high energy rays which may be harmful and are detectable only by special instruments. Chemically irritates skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Used to make fuel for nuclear power plants.

Colorless to white crystals; [HSDB]

COLOURLESS-TO-WHITE DELIQUESCENT CRYSTALS.

Chemical: Uranium fluoride (UF6), (OC-6-11)-

The New Jersey Worker and Community Right to Know Act requires public and private employers to provide information about hazardous substances at their workplaces. (N.J.S.A. 34:5A-1 et. seq.)

Radioactive Poison Corrosive

Radioactive Poison Corrosive

Excerpt from ERG Guide 166 [Radioactive Materials - Corrosive (Uranium Hexafluoride / Water-Reactive)]:

Excerpt from ERG Guide 166 [Radioactive Materials - Corrosive (Uranium Hexafluoride / Water-Reactive)]:

Not combustible. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases) in a fire.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 166 [Radioactive Materials - Corrosive (Uranium Hexafluoride / Water-Reactive)]:

Excerpt from ERG Guide 166 [Radioactive Materials - Corrosive (Uranium Hexafluoride / Water-Reactive)]:

Sublimes at room temperature; Reacts with water releasing uranyl fluoride and hydrogen fluoride; [HSDB] Low-level radioactive; Chemical hazard greatly exceeds radiation hazard. Reacts with water to generate hydrogen fluoride gas; [CAMEO] See Uranium and the linked occupational disease.

Fluoride Salts, Soluble

Fluoride Salts, Soluble

DHHS/ATSDR; Toxicological Profile for Uranium (PB/99/163362) (September 1999)

Just RA; Report on Toxicological Studies Concerning Exposures to Uranium Hexafluoride and Uranium Hexafluoride Hydrolysis Products (1984)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 166 [Radioactive Materials - Corrosive (Uranium Hexafluoride / Water-Reactive)]:

Excerpt from ERG Guide 166 [Radioactive Materials - Corrosive (Uranium Hexafluoride / Water-Reactive)]:

NO water. Use powder, carbon dioxide.

Fresh air, rest. Half-upright position. Refer immediately for medical attention.

First rinse with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, then remove contaminated clothes and rinse again. Wear protective gloves when administering first aid. Apply calcium gluconate to the burn areas. Refer immediately for medical attention.

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. Give one or two glasses of water to drink. Refer immediately for medical attention.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 166 [Radioactive Materials - Corrosive (Uranium Hexafluoride / Water-Reactive)]:

Excerpt from ERG Guide 166 [Radioactive Materials - Corrosive (Uranium Hexafluoride / Water-Reactive)]:

Biological Exposure Indices (BEI) [ACGIH] - Fluorides in urine = 2 mg/L prior to shift or 3 mg/L at end of shift; (Repeated measurements recommended.) Uranium in urine = 200 ug/L at end of shift;

1.0 [mg/m3], as F, inhalable fraction[German Research Foundation (DFG)]

Uranium hexafluoride is removed from a uranium refining waste gas by sorption with a hydrocarbon noncombustible oil, eg poly(trifluorochloroethylene). Waste gas containing 0.01 g uranium hexafluoride was scrubbed with 10 L of 10% poly(trifluorochloroethylene) to give 90% removal of uranium hexafluoride.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 166 [Radioactive Materials - Corrosive (Uranium Hexafluoride / Water-Reactive)]:

Excerpt from ERG Guide 166 [Radioactive Materials - Corrosive (Uranium Hexafluoride / Water-Reactive)]:

Generators of waste (equal to or greater than 100 kg/mo) containing this contaminant, EPA hazardous waste number D003, must conform with USEPA regulations in storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste.

Disposal of ... wastes /containing uranium/ should follow guidelines set forth by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. /Uranium and compounds/

Evacuate danger area! Consult an expert! Personal protection: complete protective clothing including self-contained breathing apparatus. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Vacuum with specialist equipment or carefully sweep into dry or sealable containers. Carefully collect remainder. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.

The potential for release of gaseous UF6, and subsequent generation of its soluble hydrolysis product UO2F2, requires special air-sampling considerations in uranium conversion and gaseous diffusion plants, relative to those plants handling less reactive compounds. In these plants, effective processing, as well as worker safety, requires a high degree of containment.

... If employees' clothing may have become contaminated ... change into uncontaminated clothing. ... Clothing which has had any possibility of being contaminated with uranium hexafluoride or clothing contaminated with other soluble uranium compounds should be placed in closed containers for storage until it can be discarded or until provision is made for the removal of soluble uranium compounds from the clothing. ... Where there is any possibility of exposure of employees's body to solids or liquids containing uranium hexafluoride, facilities for quick drenching of the body should be provided. ... Eye-wash fountains should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use. Skin that becomes contaminated with uranium hexafluoride should be immediately washed or showered. ...

Best handled in copper apparatus.

SRP: Contaminated protective clothing should be segregated in such a manner so that there is no direct personal contact by personnel who handle, dispose, or clean the clothing. Quality assurance to ascertain the completeness of the cleaning procedures should be implemented before the decontaminated protective clothing is returned for reuse by the workers.

For more Preventive Measures (Complete) data for URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE (16 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 166 [Radioactive Materials - Corrosive (Uranium Hexafluoride / Water-Reactive)]:

Excerpt from ERG Guide 166 [Radioactive Materials - Corrosive (Uranium Hexafluoride / Water-Reactive)]:

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)

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: Most uranium compounds are ionic in nature and would generally have extremely low vapor pressures(SRC). These compounds are expected to exist in the ambient atmosphere in the particulate phase(SRC). One exception to this is uranium(VI) hexafluoride, which has a vapor pressure of 115 mm Hg at 25 °C(1). Uranium compounds in the particulate-phase will be removed from the atmosphere by wet or dry deposition(SRC).

Serious local effects and systemic effects by all routes of exposure.

Oral (L249) ; inhalation (L249) ; dermal (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)

Cough. Burning sensation. Shortness of breath. Laboured breathing.

Redness. Pain. Serious skin burns.

Pain. Severe deep burns.

Burns in mouth and throat. Sore throat. Abdominal pain. Shock or collapse.

Ingestion of uranium may cause vomiting and diarrhea. (L248)

... Arrange for periodic medical examination of persons in contact with uranium and its disintegration products. Monitoring of the uranium content of biological media is required. Persons employed in industrial operations with uranium and exposed to the action of radon should have periodical chest x-ray examinations. The intervals between examinations should be planned with regard to the conditions of work. /Uranium, alloy and compounds/

A complete history and physical examination: The purpose is to detect existing conditions that might place the exposed employee at increased risk, and to establish a baseline for future health monitoring. Exam of respiratory system, blood, liver, lymphatic system, and kidneys should be stressed. Skin should be examined for evidence of chronic disorders. A complete blood count: Since uranium is deposited in the bone & is an alpha particle emitter, the function of the bone marrow is at risk. A complete blood count should be performed incl a red cell count, a white cell count, a differential count of a stained smear, as well as hemoglobin and hematocrit. ... Surveillance of the lung is indicated. Urinalysis: Although not reported with insol uranium cmpd, kidney damage has been reported due to uranium exposure. A urinalysis should be performed, including at a minimum specific gravity, albumin, glucose, & microscopic of centrifuged sediment. Periodic medical exam: The aforementioned medical examination should be repeated on an annual basis. In addition, a determination of urinary uranium levels should be performed at any time overexposure is suspected or signs and symptoms of toxicity occur. /Uranium and insol compounds (as uranium)/

Practical recommendations for biologic monitoring of exposure: Chemical agent: uranium; reference value < 0.3 ug/g creatinine in urine; reference value < 0.01 ug/100 mL in blood. /Uranium, from table/

Because of its rapid and substantial urinary excretion, the concentration of uranium in urine can form the basis of assessing intake. Once measurements in urine have been made, biokinetic models may then be used to calculate intake. However, for inhalation, lack of informationon the temporal pattern of exposure and chemical form and variation in natural excretion (e.g. reported urine concentrations of 0.0128 ug/L as an average for "unexposed individuals" vs observed values of 0.004 to 0.058 ug/L) can result in appreciable errors in such estimates. ... The occupational exposure decision level used for uranium workers at one facility in the U.S. is 0.8 ug/L of uranium in urine. This value assumes an acute inhalation intake of moderately soluble uranium and a 60 day urine sampling frequency. For investigational puropses, a value of 4 ug/L of urine is used for U.K. workers.

For more Medical Surveillance (Complete) data for URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Accidental exposure of workers to a mixture of uranium hexafluoride, uranium oxyfluoride, hydrofluoric acid, and live steam caused lacrimation, conjunctivitis, shortness of breath, paroxysmal cough, rales in the chest, nausea, vomiting, skin burns, transitory albuminaria, and elevation of blood urea nitrogen. ... Injurious effects ... on skin, eyes, and resp tract apparently caused by irritant action of fluoride ion ... uranium responsible for transient renal changes. /Uranium fluorides/

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ In ... a case of accidental exposure to UF6, important findings were related to the eyes (chem conjunctivitis & corneal necrosis), the respiratory tract (incr density of bronchovascular markings and hilar shadows), and the urinary tract (incr amt of urinary solids). In 5 days with treatment, the corneal epithelium had almost completely regenerated, and at time of discharge, visual acuity was normal. In 10 days the chest was clear; in 13 days the hemorrhages of the larynx had disappeared. The urinary signs cleared with improvement of the patient. Some mental derangement, restlessness, and nervous tension accompanied the early responses, but these disappeared in 1 wk.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ ... Dermatitis has occurred as a result of handling uranium hexafluoride.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Symptoms of fluoride intoxication, usually occurring within 1 hr, range from salivation, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, & diarrhea in cases of minor poisoning, to hyperactive reflexes, tonic & clonic convulsions, & ultimately, in severe cases, death occurs, usually from respiratory or cardiac failure. /Fluorides/

For more Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE (13 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ Renal effects can be produced in animals after acute-duration inhalation exposures to uranium. A 10-minute exposure to 637 mg uranium/cu m as uranium hexafluoride produced severe degeneration of the cortical tubules 5 to 8 days later in rats.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Subchronic or Prechronic Exposure/ Dusts and mists of respirable particle size of UF6 ... were generally fatal to most laboratory species exposed daily for 1 mo at 20 mg of cmpd/cu m; 2.5 mg/cu m was fatal to some species; 0.2 mg/cu m was fatal to an occasional animal; and 0.05 mg/cu m resulted in no histological damage to any species ... On a relative toxicity scale, UF6 was the most toxic uranium cmpd, followed by UO2F2, UCl4, and UO2(NO3)2 · 6H2O. UO2 and U3O8 were the least toxic. /Uranium compounds/

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Subchronic or Prechronic Exposure/ In experimental animals, the renal injury caused by uranium manifests itself some days after exposure as change in proximal convoluted tubules. Cell necrosis appears in lower portion of convoluted tubules and may extend to other parts of these structures. Hyaline casts, or casts containing shredded necrotic cells, are present at all levels of tubular system. If the dose is not lethal, regeneration of the injured epithelium begins after 2-3 days; regrowth is compete within 2-3 wk, but this new epithelial lining differs morphologically from normal tubular epithelium ... Tolerance /to sublethal doses of uranium cmpd/ has been connected with the regenerated tubular epithelium ... If uranium exposure is discontinued, the regenerated epithelium will gradually be transformed into normal tubular epithelium. The tubular damage results in increased urinary enzyme excretion /Uranium NOS/

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Subchronic or Prechronic Exposure/ Mice and guinea pigs experienced unspecified weight loss and 13% weight loss, respectively, following exposure to 13 mg uranium/cu m as uranium hexafluoride for 30 days. Rabbits suffered 12% weight loss following exposure to 0.2 mg uranium/cu m as airborne uranium hexafluoride for 30 days.

For more Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE (10 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

(AZ) ARIZONA 30 ug/L /Uranium/

(MA) MASSACHUSETTS 20 ug/L /Uranium/

(ME) MAINE 20 ug/L /Uranium/

Compared to other heavy metals, such as cadmium, lead, and mercury ... uranium's nephrotoxic effect is less intense. Although the nephrotoxicity of uranium is attributed primarily to its metallotoxicity (chemical toxicity), some authors have discussed that renal damage from exposure to high-LET alpha-emitting heavy metals, like uranium, is derived from combined chemical and radiotoxic effect. /Uranium NOS/

Approximately 60% of uranium absorbed into the blood is transported in the form of a bicarbonate complex, and 40% is bound to plasma proteins. The uranyl-bicarbonate complex is filtered out of the blood by the renal glomerulus and is passed into the tubules. The pH of urine decreases in the tubules, resulting in dissociation of the complex and release of the reactive uranyl ion. Nephrotoxicity results primarily from damage to the tubular epithelium, which allows leakage of glucose, protein, aminoacids, and enzymes into the urine. In high doses (more than 6 mg uranium/kg), glomerular damage may also occur, causing decreased renal blood flow and a decreased glomerular filtration rate. The kidney responds to toxic levels of uranium within 24-48 hr after exposure. The changes become progressively more severe over approximately a 5 day period. The damaged tubular epithelium regenerates quickly as the uranium concentration is reduced. /Soluble uranium compounds/

...After inhaling uranium hexafluoride particles, humans during the first day excrete in urine approximately 73% of the solubilized uranium from the lung, with a biological half-life of approximately 4 hours, and another 10% with a half-life of 1.3 days. In a second stage of slower excretion, abiological half-life of approximately 6 days is estimated by the second day or later.

The biologic half times of soluble uranium compounds (e.g., uranium hexafluoride, uranyl fluoride, uranium tetrachloride, uranyl nitrate hexahydrate) are estimated in days or weeks. /Soluble uranium compounds/

Uranium is absorbed in low amounts via oral, inhalation, and dermal routes. Uranium in body fluids generally exists as the uranyl ion (UO2)2+ complexed with anions, such as citrate and bicarbonate, or plasma proteins. Uranium preferentially distributes to bone, liver, and kidney. The large majority of uranium that enters the body is not absorbed and is eliminated from the body via the urine and faeces. (L248)

Daily urinary excretion of uranium by workers chronically inhaling dust from uranium and other uranium compounds was 10-40 mg/worker, with occasional peaks of 100-200 mg. Most of the time, the radioactivity at work places fluctuated from 60 picoCi/cu m (max permissible concn) & 190 picoCi/cu m. correlation between the air radioactivity and urinary uranium excretion was frequently disturbed by workers leaving the work place or wearing protective masks. Urinary elimination of uranium hexafluoride in workers lasted 48 hr.

Uranium hexafluoride is highly transportable in the body. /From table/

Inhalation Classification - Uranium hexafluoride - Class "D" most transportable (pulmonary removal half-time of days) /Table/

Urinalysis results obtained following 4 incidents in which 13 workers were exposed to airborne triuranium octaoxide, uranium hexafluoride, & uranium ore concn showed urinary uranium concentrations of less than or equal to 2.85 mg uranium/L. /Uranium compounds/

For more Absorption, Distribution and Excretion (Complete) data for URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Used to manufacture fuel for nuclear power; [CAMEO] Uranium ore is produced from underground and open-pit mines. From the ores, uranium mills produce yellowcake, which is a complex mixture containing 80-96% uranium. The yellowcake is used to produce nuclear fuel. [PMID 14691274 ] In the nuclear fuel cycle, yellowcake is converted into uranium hexafluoride gas, which is fed through centrifuges repeatedly to separate isotopes until uranium is enriched. The low-level enriched uranium is used for nuclear fuel while the highly enriched can be used in nuclear weapons. [BBC News]

Toxic Gas from Spilling Chemical in Water [Category: Other]

/Intermediate in the/ gaseous diffusion process for separating isotopes of uranium.

/Intermediate in the manufacture of/ nuclear fuel

Uranium hexafluoride is used for fuel in nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons. (L252)

Prepd by the action of fluorine on uranium metal or carbide; on uranium pentachloride; on uranium tetrafluoride; on triuranium octaoxide in the presence of carbon. It appears that all uranium cmpd when heated with fluorine to a sufficiently high temp give uranium hexafluoride: National Nuclear Energy Series VIII-5, JJ Katz, E Rabinowitch, The Chemistry of Uranium, Part I (New York, 1951) pp 396-449.

(1) Triuranium octoxide (U3O8) and nitric acid react to form a soln of uranyl nitrate; this is decomposed to uranium trioxide and reduced to the dioxide with hydrogen. The dioxide as a fluidized bed is reacted with hydrogen fluoride. The resulting tetrafluoride is fluorinated to the hexafluoride. (2) Triuranium octoxide is converted directly to the hexafluoride with hydrogen fluoride and fluorine, then purified by fractional distillation.

Uranyl nitrate + hydrogen fluoride + fluorine (wet uranium hexafluoride process)

Uranyl nitrate + hydrogen fluoride + fluorine (wet Comurhex process)

For more Methods of Manufacturing (Complete) data for URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE (7 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

A wide variety of chemical forms of uranium may be encountered. The three that will be most commonly found in industry are yellowcake uranium, uranium oxide (U3O8), and uranium hexafluoride (UF6). Yellowcake is the semirefined product from the milling of uranium and contains more than 80% uranium oxide. ...Uranium oxides are UO2, UO3, UO, U2O5, and U3O8. Uranium carbides are UC (uranium monocarbide), UC2 (dicarbide), and U2C3 (sesquicarbide). Uranium metal reacts with nitrogen to yield nitrides: UN, U2N3, and UN2. Uranium nitrides and uranium carbides are semimetallic and, when ignited in air, convert to U3O8.

Uranium fluoride (U2F9): INACTIVE

The chemical toxicity and reactive properties of any uranium compound must be weighed against the inherent toxicity of the compound or the uranium alone. For example, gaseous uranium hexafluoride (UF6) reacts with atmospheric moisture and undergoes hydrolysis, producing uranyl fluoride (UO2F2) and hydrogen fluoride (HF), a highly corrosive and toxic gas. Depending on the temperature, humidity, and uranium enrichment, the HF may be a more serious health and safety concern than either the UF6 or the contained uranium.

In uranium processes that create fluoride compounds (UF4, UF6, etc.), the a-n reaction with this light nuclide can result in neutron radiation fields, the intensity of which are a function of the compound, mixing, storage configuration, and enrichment. As indicated in Section 2.0, low enriched UF6 (< 5%) in large storage containers can result in neutron radiation in the 0.2 mrem/h range, while highly enriched (> 97%) UF6 can create fields in the 4 mrem/h range. At high enrichments, the neutron fields can be up to a factor of 2 higher than the gamma fields and be the limiting source of whole body exposure. /Uranium fluorides/

This study conducted to characterize solid products formed from release of uranium hexafluoride. Explosive release of uranium hexafluoride was conducted in a vessel in which the air at atm pressure was static & the particulate material was collected on microscope grids by gravitational settling. Transmission & sem were used to detect the size or range of sizes of the particles produced from the release & the nature of agglomerates produced from these particles.

Uranium is a chemical hazard as well as a radiological hazard.