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Old 28th Sep 2022, 5:01 pm   #4
newlite4
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Bath, Somerset, UK.
Posts: 1,804
Default Re: how safe are our collections

I am very aware of the radioluminescent paint on aircraft instruments, clocks, compasses and some military radios. I usually test anything that comes in to determine if radium paint is present. I have some uranium glass articles that although give a high reading close up are quite safe to handle since the uranium is "glassified". I just walk past any stall that has luminous instruments or clocks with broken or missing glass, and I would not go near some items that are literally encrusted with radium paint. On balance, the body is quite capable of dealing with a certain level of radioactive contamination, but there is obviously a break point where the body can not cope. A really hot item is the WWII marching compass made by The Gramophone Company, I still have mine, but it is well sealed and is just used as a test source.
Neil
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