Sheets R W, Thompson C C
Department of Chemistry, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield 65804, USA.
Sci Total Environ. 1995 Dec 8;175(1):81-4. doi: 10.1016/0048-9697(95)04879-0.
Examination of orange-colored dinnerware samples purchased in antique stores and flea markets has revealed the occasional presence of surface uranium compounds that are readily transferred to the hands and clothing. We have further been able to produce soluble uranium compounds on the surfaces of clean dishes by exposing them to household vinegar or bleach. We estimate that handling of a contaminated dish can transfer up to 1-2 becquerels or more of uranium compounds to the hands. Uranium contamination is of concern because the element is not only an alpha emitter but also a chemical nephrotoxin. Although the amount of uranium likely to be ingested as a result of casual handling may be small, it could still exceed by several times the amount occurring in the average diet (about 40 mBq/day). Furthermore, since fresh surface compounds are readily formed, it is possible that a person who regularly handles or eats from uranium-glazed dinnerware can accidentally ingest significant amounts of uranium.
对在古董店和跳蚤市场购买的橙色餐具样本进行检测后发现，这些餐具表面偶尔会存在易于转移到手上和衣物上的铀化合物。我们还通过将干净的餐具暴露于家用醋或漂白剂中，成功在其表面生成了可溶性铀化合物。据我们估计，接触受污染的餐具一次可将多达1至2贝克勒尔甚至更多的铀化合物转移到手上。铀污染令人担忧，因为这种元素不仅是一种阿尔法发射体，还是一种化学性肾毒素。尽管因偶尔接触而摄入的铀量可能很少，但仍可能比正常饮食中所含的铀量（约40毫贝克勒尔/天）高出数倍。此外，由于新的表面化合物很容易形成，经常接触铀釉餐具或用其进餐的人有可能意外摄入大量铀。
