Re: Radioactive materials and licenses.
George Mackie (mackie@uvic.ca)
Sat, 22 Nov 1997 17:16:26 -0800 (PST)
Bob Schramm and others- I have used uranium oxide as a yellow colorant in
ceramic glazes . It works better than vanadium or praseodymium but is no
longer obtainable. I have been told that the chief danger is inhalation
(it comes as a powder) as the alpha radiation could affect lung tissue in
a way it would not affect external tissues because alpha particles cant
get through the cornified dermal layer of the skin. At one time I used
uranium acetate for increasing the contrast in tissue prepared for
electron microscopy but it comes as crystals you can dissolve with little
risk of inhalation, and I assume the same would apply to uranium nitrate.
I would still rather not soak my fingers in solutions of uranium salts
when making them up. Am I right or wrong?
George