Monona Rossol on fri 7 nov 97
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 5 Nov 1997 18:24:47 EST
From: "Joyce Lee, Jim Lee"
Subject: Uranium/Monona
----------------Original message---------------
SNIP....... I keep wondering "Where is Monona?" We really need
that straight-talking, shoot-from-the-lip style.......SNIP
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Thanks for forward Elke.
URANIUM FROM THE LIP
As requested.
WHAT IS "DEPLETED" URANIUM?
Uranium is an element which has isotopes, that is, varieties that
have different molecular weights. Uranium's three natural
isotopes are: U-238, U-235, and U-234. Only U-235 has the right
weight for atomic reactions. "Depleted" uranium is uranium from
which U-235 has been removed.
In the 1970s and 1980s, some fuzzy-thinking potters, teachers and
ceramic chemical suppliers incorrectly assumed that "depleted"
uranium was not radioactive. This misinformation found its way
into many books and publications. While depleted uranium is less
radioactive, it is still a significant hazard because all
isotopes of uranium are radioactive.
THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (NRC)
In a 1980, the NRC clearly said that the use of uranium glazes
should not be allowed ("Environmental Assessment of Consumer
Products Containing Radioactive Material," Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NUREG/CR-1775), October 1980). However, NRC decided
not to waste its time banning uranium glazes because their
investigation showed that there were no known commercial
producers of uranium-glazed ware in 1980.
The NRC also "investigated" uranium use in art pottery and
enamels. They talked to "the art department of a major
university", a "spokesperson for an enamelists guild," and the
"purchasing agent for one of the ten largest public school
districts in the U.S." These people all denied using or buying
any uranium. Yeah, right.
As late as 1985, pottery catalogs still listed uranium. To this
day, I still occasionally find uranium oxide in university
ceramics departments.
In 1984, NRC banned uranium-containing enamels after a lot of
radioactive jewelry was imported into the US. This also meant
that domestic uranium enamels such as Thompson's Burnt Orange #
153 and Forsythia # 108 were taken off the market. I still find
stockpiles of these enamels in schools.
Even without a ban, the fact that the NRC is on record saying
that uranium glazes should not be allowed puts uranium-users at a
moral and ethical disadvantage. And just imagine explaining it to
your customers!
RADON
Uranium emits both radiation and a cancer-causing radioactive gas
called "radon." Uranium-containing fossils and rocks in museum
collections have been shown to require special ventilation to
control radon from these specimens. Radon also is emitted from
uranium oxide chemicals or even large stocks of uranium-glazed
ware.
Radon, of course, also could be present in basement pottery
studios from radioactive minerals in the soil or in cement. EPA
recommends that all home owners test for radon. Combining
basement pottery with a radon problem with use of uranium glazes
could really boost your total exposure.
TOXICITY
Unrelated to its radioactivity, uranium is also toxic to the
kidneys and can cause blood disorders. Soluble uranium from
ceramic ware, ingestion of small amounts of glaze or enamel dust
from lung clearing mechanisms, or absorption of soluble compounds
by the lungs would be potential sources for this kind of
toxicity.
To protect workers from the toxicity of uranium dusts, OSHA
assigned a permissible exposure limit of 0.2 milligrams per cubic
meter (mg/m3) in air for insoluble compounds and 0.05 mg/m3 for
soluble ones.
Inhalation of very small insoluble dust particles into the
alveoli where there are no lung clearing mechanisms effectively
places an emitting radioactive particle in intimate contact with
lung tissues.
HOW TO DISPOSE OF IT.
If you still have a uranium-containing material tucked away, get
rid of it. Most communities have a toxic waste program where you
can take it on certain days each year. This service is usually
free if you are an ordinary householder. In some cases, these
programs have refused to take uranium oxide.
However, if the materials you wish to discard are related to your
"business," you are supposed call a commercial company and pay
for disposal.
BRIEF ADVICE FOR URANIUM USERS:
1. You are a jerk if you listen to those who tell you using
uranium only raises your exposure to radiation a little over
background. It's more, but even a little is dumb when it is
totally unnecessary.
2. Remember that inhaling the fine dust can put an emitting
particle in intimate contact with lung (alveolar) tissue.
3. The stuff is also highly toxic especially to the kidneys.
4. Your customers have a right to know that you use uranium in
your glazes. And tell them while you are at it, that the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission says that uranium should not be allowed on
pottery. However, you are vastly more informed about ionizing
radiation than the NRC.
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Monona Rossol, industrial hygienist
Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety (ACTS)
181 Thompson St., # 23
New York, NY 10012-2586 212/777-0062
http://www.caseweb.com/ACTS/
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