Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

URANIUM MONOCARBIDE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

This radioactive material may be supplied in a variety of package types and may exhibit a
range of specific activities. This document is intended to describe one such material
thought to be representative of a typical commercial product. Can be formed into shapes by
powder metallurgy or arcmelt casting. Must be stored under inert atmosphere.

SYNONYMS

UC, "uranium carbide"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Danger of cumulative effects.
Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect.
Very toxic by inhalation and if swallowed.
Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long- term adverse effects in the aquatic
environment.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Severely toxic effects may result from the accidental ingestion of the material; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 5 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  The kidney and liver can be damaged by uranium, causing excessive acid and urea in the blood and generalized ill health.  Uranium compounds are not highly poisonous in low concentrations but may be lethal in high concentrations.  

EYE

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can causeeye irritation and damage in some persons.  The eye is particularly sensitive to radioactivity. A single dose of 1 Gy can cause inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea. It is unlikely that a dose sufficient to cause radiation sickness would occur if only the eyes were involved. However, if eye damage caused by ionizing radiation occurs, it should be assumed that other parts of the body are involved.  

SKIN

  The material is not thought to be a skin irritant (as classified using animal models). Abrasive damage however, may result from prolonged exposures. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Skin contact with the material may damage the health of the individual; systemic effects may result following absorption.  Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material.  Entry into the blood-stream, through, for example, cuts, abrasions or lesions, may produce systemic injury with harmful effects. Examine the skin prior to the use of the material and ensure that any external damage is suitably protected.  A whole body dose of 2-10 Gray may cause loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea and vomiting,  most severe after 6-12 hours. After this subsides a gross disturbance in blood cell distribution occurs with loss of white blood cells and platelets over weeks. The activity of bone marrow may become so depressed that overwhelming infections can occur and cause death. A dose of 4 Gray can lead to damage of the bowel lining, causing untreatable nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, which may result in severe dehydration, collapse and death. Although repair of the damage may occur, failure of blood cell production can ensue. At 6 Gray, damage to the blood cell production and digestive systems can be fatal. Whole body doses of 30 Gray can cause nausea, vomiting, listlessness, drowsiness, weakness, tremors, convulsions, inco-ordination and death within hours. The reproductive organs are particularly sensitive to radiation. A does of 0.3 Gray can cause temporary loss of fertility in men; there may be cessation of periods in women.  All soluble uranium compounds are lethal when applied at sufficiently high concentrations in a single dose to the skin of rabbits; insoluble salts do not cause death and cause no signs of poisoning.  

INHALED

  Inhalation of dusts, generated by the material, during the course of normal handling, may produce severely toxic effects; these may be fatal.  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of dusts, or fume, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  A whole body dose of 2-10 Gray may cause loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea and vomiting,  most severe after 6-12 hours. After this subsides a gross disturbance in blood cell distribution occurs with loss of white blood cells and platelets over weeks. The activity of bone marrow may become so depressed that overwhelming infections can occur and cause death. A dose of 4 Gray can lead to damage of the bowel lining, causing untreatable nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, which may result in severe dehydration, collapse and death. Although repair of the damage may occur, failure of blood cell production can ensue. At 6 Gray, damage to the blood cell production and digestive systems can be fatal. Whole body doses of 30 Gray can cause nausea, vomiting, listlessness, drowsiness, weakness, tremors, convulsions, inco-ordination and death within hours. The reproductive organs are particularly sensitive to radiation. A does of 0.3 Gray can cause temporary loss of fertility in men; there may be cessation of periods in women.  Dusts and mists containing uranium compounds are highly toxic and more so if inhaled rather than ingested. A single large dose can produce radiation sickness. Whole body doses of 2 to 10 Gray may cause loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea and vomiting. Soluble compounds are more dangerous and the effects on the body vary. Small particles may lodge in the lungs; larger ones tend to be swallowed. After a delay of up to several days, blood disturbances including loss of white blood cells and platelets may occur. Gastrointestinal symptoms can be severe with intense nausea, vomiting and diarrhea leading to dehydration and death. At doses up to 6 Gray survival is inversely proportional to dose. At 30 Gray, nausea, vomiting, listlessness and drowsiness, with tremors, weakness, convulsions, inco-ordination and death occurring within hours. Very small doses (0.3 Gray) can cause loss of male fertility; periods may stop in women.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  There has been concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations, but there is not enough data to make an assessment.  Repeated or long-term occupational exposure is likely to produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  If absorbed in the body, uranium can be a hazard due to its radioactivity (alpha and gamma radiation). Uranium accumulates in the bones and can cause cancers there. It also increases the risk of developing cancers of the lung, central nervous system, and lymph. Uranium can cause kidney failure and damage the liver. It also causes skin inflammation, conjunctivitis and cataracts. Soluble compounds can be toxic if inhaled. Insoluble uranium compounds can accumulate in the lungs, causing scarring. Uranium can cause a wide range of genetic damage; if the reproductive cells are affected, there may be no signs until the damage is inherited to the next generation.  A single large or prolonged low exposure to radiation can cause delayed effects, including blood cancers, genetic disorders, shortened lifespan and cataracts. Leukemia is the most common cancer caused; cancers of the thyroid, bone, lung (due to radioactive particle deposits) and skin are also seen. Many and varied genetic changes can occur; if they affect cells of the reproductive system, they may only display themselves after being inherited.  Long term exposure to high dust concentrations may cause changes in lung function i.e. pneumoconiosis; caused by particles less than 0.5 micron penetrating and remaining in the lung. Prime symptom is breathlessness; lung shadows show on X-ray.