![]() Uranium is a heavy metal element with a content of 3 mg/kg in the Earth’s crust. Current research indicates that long-term exposure to inhaled radioactive aerosols has the greatest impact on the health risk. ![]() Radionuclides can enter the body in three routes: inhalation, ingestion, and absorption through intact or damaged skin. We also look ahead to the gaps and challenges in knowledge of uranium particle-induced toxicity and potential mechanisms. The specific toxicological effects and health risks of uranium particles are systematically explored. This study will specifically review the toxicological work on uranium in particulate form including yellowcake particles, uranium powder, uranium dust, uranium aerosols, and uranium nanoparticles. Understanding these mechanisms is critical to determine the health risks to affected communities. Currently, the health risks associated with suspended uranium particles are not well defined, and the toxicity of uranium-containing particles is still underestimated. In the last decade, at least 30 review papers have been published focusing on the health risks and toxicological mechanisms of dissolved uranium. Uranium particles, on the other hand, may also have strong pulmonary toxicity and may cause DNA damage. For example, dissolved uranium is generally considered to be strongly nephrotoxic, with a toxicological mechanism based primarily on oxidative stress. These special properties make the toxicological effects of uranium particles differ significantly from those of uranyl ions. Compared to uranyl ions, uranium particles are characterized by small particle size and large specific surface area, which can directly affect the organism at the cellular, subcellular, and protein levels. Size, composition, and source of particulate uranium are among the factors that influence the mechanism of cytotoxicity. Most in vitro and in vivo toxicity studies and nearly all reviews address only dissolved uranium (e.g., uranium salts such as uranyl acetate). Particulate uranium can cause different cytotoxic mechanisms. However, many studies have not specifically distinguished between particulate matter and dissolved metals in the pulmonary environment. Recent advances have focused on oxidative stress, genetic damage, protein injury, cell apoptosis, inflammation, and metabolic disorders. The mechanisms underlying the toxicological effects caused by uranium have been extensively studied. The effects of uranium on other organs or tissues can also trigger various degrees of damage, mainly pulmonary, hepatic, hematopoietic, neurological and reproductive effects. Uranium can be deposited in the kidney, causing severe kidney damage. According to the kinetic model of uranium in living organisms, the main target organ for internal uranium exposure is the kidney. Uranium entering the human body is mainly in the form of hexavalent oxide uranyl ions. Various epidemiological and laboratory studies have shown that environmental and occupational levels of uranium exposure can lead to a wide range of health problems. ![]() This review summarizes the current evidence on the toxicology of particulate uranium and highlights the knowledge gaps and research prospects.Įxposure to uranium may lead to health risks due to its chemical and radiological toxicity. The diversity of particle parameters has limited the in-depth exploration. The understanding of the health risks and potential toxicological mechanisms of particulate uranium contamination is still at a preliminary stage. Uranium particles can also induce a concentration-dependent increase in cytotoxicity, targeting mitochondria. Fibrosis and tumors can occur in the lung tissue of the respiratory tract. The toxicological effects of particulate uranium exposure to animals have been shown in laboratory tests to focus on respiratory and central nervous system damage. Epidemiological studies from occupationally exposed populations in the uranium industry have concluded that there is a possible association between lung cancer risk and uranium exposure, while the evidence for the risk of other tumors is not sufficient. ![]() This particular physicochemical property may alter its biological activity. Uranium particle is a complex two-phase flow of matter that is both particulate and flowable. Inhalation of particulate uranium is one of the predominant routes of occupational and environmental exposure. Uranium contamination has become a nonnegligible global health problem.
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