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hazards in using uranium (fwd)

updated mon 9 apr 01

 

ACTSNYC@CS.COM on sun 8 apr 01


> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Sat, 7 Apr 2001 19:14:02 -0700
> From: Gary Cox
> Reply-To: Ceramic Arts Discussion List
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Re: hazards in using Uranium
>
> I was near Memphis visiting a potter in the sticks and remarked at his
> wonder ^10 reds. He said it was uranium that he dug up. <

Uranium that you dig up from the ground is not depleted and is even more
radioactive than the depleted uranium.

> Back at school, I found a friendly science guy who ordered enought for a
test.
> I had to answer a bunch of questions
> from government folks about how I was going to use the stuff and
eventually
> my determination just peetered out. I just can't forget those wonderful
hues,
> so include me in this thread <

You put yourself at risk, and your customers at risk. Not a good plan.
Although the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has not banned uranium in glazes,
the reason they didn't was that they said it was not longer in use for this
purpose. I submitted comments to the NRC at the time saying "not so."
However, they are still convinced it is not being used so there is no reason
to act. I wouldn't give them a reason to act if I were you.

I hope this helps.

Monona
ACTS
181 Thompson St., #23
NYC NY 10012-2586 212/777-0062
>
> Richard Mahaffey wrote:
>
> > Hello All,
> >
> > One of the Chemistry teachers at school asked me a question about the
> > use of uranium in glazes. He was wondering if anyone used it and if
> > there were any legal questions. The safety questions are obvious. The
> > uranium in question is depleted uranium. I d not know the exact
> > chemical state of it. We were just talking about glazes and such. We
> > do have a couple of yellow Fiesta ware plates that are used in a
> > radioactivity demonstration with a Geiger counter.
> >
> > Any help would be appreciated and also any specifics regarding
> > legalities and/ or safety that are backed up by knowledge would be
> > appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks in advance.
> >
> > Rick Mahaffey
> > Tacoma Community College
> > Tacoma, Washington, USA

Cindy Strnad on sun 8 apr 01


Just another note on the uranium thread. I haven't been following it,
however, in case this hasn't been mentioned, uranium, were you to find a
completely depleted source (if that's possible), still has the same sort of
toxicity as lead.

Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
USA
earthenv@gwtc.net
http://www.earthenvesselssd.com