Uranyl nitrate

Synonyms

Bis(nitrato)dioxouranium; Dinitratodioxouranium; UNH; Uranium nitrate oxide (UO2(NO3)2); Uranium oxynitrate; Uranium, bis(nitrato-O)dioxo-; Uranium, bis(nitrato-O,O')dioxo- (solid); Uranium, dinitratodioxo-; Uranyl dinitrate; Uranyl nitrate (UO2(NO3)2); Yellow salt; UN2981; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Radioactive Compounds

Description

Yellow crystals that are luminescent when crushed; [Merck Index]

Sources/Uses

Used in photography as an intensifier; Also used as a ceramic glaze and a chemical reagent; [Merck Index] Used as a source of uranium dioxide; [Hawley]

Comments

Melting point = 60 degrees C; Soluble in water, alcohol, and ether; May explode if exposed to sunlight; [Merck Index] In experiments performed on human volunteers IV injections of 70-100 ug/kg produced proteinuria. Uranium was eliminated mainly through the urine with 70-85% excreted in the first 24 hours. Nitrate compounds can cause methemoglobinemia. Emits toxic nitrogen oxides when heated to decomposition; [HSDB] "Produces toxic oxides of nitrogen when involved in fires." [CAMEO] See Uranyl nitrate hexahydrate." See "Uranium" and linked occupational diseases.

Biomedical References

Uranium in urine = 200 ug/L at end of shift; [ACGIH]

0.2 mg/m3, as U

0.6 mg/m3, as U

0.05 mg/m3, as U (sol), 0.25 mg/m3, as U (insol)

10 mg/m3, as U

MetHgb is secondary toxic effect

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Photographic Processing

Activities

Activities with risk of exposure:

• Ceramics making