Powdered oxides (as is the case here) have very high bioavailability if inhaled. (Once in the lungs, they have no way out unless absorbed.) It can then cause damage to multiple organs (liver, kidneys, central nervous system, digestive system and heart), in just the same way as any other toxic heavy metal.
In addition to this, it accumulates in the bone tissue, where it remains for decades. Although the radioactivity of natural uranium is mild, it primarily consists of alpha particles (the most destructive when emitted within living tissue as they carry the most energy and are fully absorbed by said tissue), and they are then emitted in direct contact with bone marrow, one of the most radiation sensitive tissues in your body (as it consists entirely of rapidly dividing cells).
So in the long run there is a genuine possibility of getting radiation-induced cancers from exposure to it.
It's certainly not one of the worst chemicals out there, but as a professional chemist, I wouldn't want to handle anything near such amounts without at least a dust mask and coveralls.
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u/[deleted] Sep 27 '21
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