Uranium - 92U: biological information
Uranium has no biological role.
Levels in humans
The abundances of the elements in humans.
- Human abundance by weight: 1 ppb by weight
- Human abundance by atoms: 0.03 atoms relative to C = 1000000
How much uranium is in your body? Find out here.
You can use this form to calculate how much uranium your body contains. Enter your weight in either kilograms or pounds and click the "Calculate" button. You must enter a number, not text! Elements for which there are no data will always give a value of zero for the weight, no matter what you put in the weight box.
Hazards and Risks
Hazards and risks associated with uranium:
Uranium does not occur to any significant extent in the biosphere and so normally should never present a risk. However, it is now found in small quantities in some areas within the biosphere as a result of fallout from atomic bombs and from radiation leaks from nuclear facilities. Because of the radiation hazard, uranium and its compounds should only ever be handled by properly trained professionals in a properly accredited institution. Its compound can cause major kidney problems. Uranium is a carcinogen, that is, it causes cancer. Its high radioactivity makes uranium subject to special handling techniques and precautions.
References
- J.E. Huheey, E.A. Keiter, and R.L. Keiter in Inorganic Chemistry : Principles of Structure and Reactivity, 4th edition, HarperCollins, New York, USA, 1993.
- S. Budavari (Ed.) in The Merck Index, 11th ed., Merck, USA, 1989.
- N.N. Greenwood and A. Earnshaw in Chemistry of the Elements, 2nd edition, Butterworth, UK, 1997.