Glossary of Terms

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Uranium
Symbol: U
Atomic Number: 92

Uranium is a common and naturally occurring radioactive heavy metal. It is probably toxic, but there is relatively little direct exposure to it. Radon and radium, on the other hand, which comes from the radioactive decay of uranium, is a pollution concern in both environmental air and water. Some drinking water sources, both city and well, contain uranium. Some soil and dust are contaminated as well; it gets into the food supply.

Natural uranium is a mixture of three types or isotopes. Some rocks and soils contain commercial quantities of uranium and can be mined. It is reported that this mining is a source of radioactive contamination in our environment.

The main civilian use of uranium is in nuclear power plants, and on helicopters and airplanes. Very small amounts are used to make some ceramic ornament glazes, light bulbs, photographic chemicals, household products and some fertilizers.

It is used by the armed forces as a shielding to protect Army tanks, part of bullets and missiles to help them go through enemy armored vehicles, as a source of power and in nuclear weapons.

Human ingestion of uranium comes from air, food, water, and soil. Root vegetables, such as beets and potatoes, tend to have a bit more uranium than other foods. It is possible that you may eat and drink more uranium if you live in an area with naturally higher amounts of uranium in the soil or water, or if you live near a uranium-contaminated hazardous waste site. You also take in (ingest) more uranium if you eat food grown in contaminated soil, or drink water that has unusually high levels or radium.

Uranium toxicity, should it occur, usually affects the kidneys. The chances of getting cancer are greater if you are exposed to enriched uranium, because it is more radioactive than natural uranium. It is not known if exposure to uranium causes reproductive effects in people. Very high doses of uranium have caused reproductive problems (reduced sperm counts) in some experiments with laboratory animals.

The origin of Uranium is after the planet Uranus.

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