I was reading about storage of chemicals today and it got me thinking- "I think that I should put my vial of uranium sulfate in secondary
containment." So, I got my lead pig down, and opened it up, but it was too late. I wasn't wearing gloves... and you know how it is really hydroscopic?
Well, the whole vial was in solution form, and I noticed that there were a few microdrops that may have leaked from the cap. So... assuming the worst,
I ran to the sink and rinsed my hands off REALLY well. I then washed them with soap and water. I went back to the room and put gloves on, and gently
wiped the vial with paper towel. The wet spots on the towel were yellow . I took
care of the containment... wrapping it up in parafilm and plastic bags REALLY well. I am seriously worried that my skin may have actually come in
direct contact with a miniscule amount of uranium. So, I read the MSDS sheets. You know how MSDS sheets are. One says you are going to die, the other
one says rinse for fifteen minutes with water whether you are talking about sodium chloride or mercury chloride!
I don't feel like I was harmed. I am sure that I will live. My finger does not look or feel any different. But anyways, I would really just like to
see what you guys think because there is always a speck of doubt. I am quite certain that there are people who work with radioactive things on a daily
basis, and I just would like to know what you would do if this happened.
Thanks,
Dean |