Is it safe to handle uranium with bare hands?

Answer 1

No. The big danger is actually not radiation but the fact that uranium is quite reactive. Uranium is only weakly radioactive. But uranium itself is chemically toxic in an acute way, in addition to being reactive. It should not be allowed to come into contact with the skin or be inhaled in any form. There are a set of standard precautions for those who work with this metal. And gloves are a must. Note that we are all exposed to natural uranium all the time, but the levels are so low as not to pose either a radiological or chemical hazard. It is those who work with it in some form that face elevated risks and must become proactive in preventing exposure.