![]() Does this mean that at the right distance from the clock, radiation is acceptably low? To answer this question, we must also consider that beta particles are emitted at a lower intensity by radium-226, as well as other emissions (such as gamma rays). It is generally and commonly felt that since radium primarily emits alpha particles, and these are stopped by even something as thin as paper (so certainly the glass is an excellent barrier), that they are safe at about 1 ft away from the clock. Most luminescent paints purchased today basically “store” light and re-emit it at a different wavelength using an effect generally referred to as “phosphorescence.” This is in stark contrast to the “radioluminescence” of paints developed for clock dials in the early 1900’s which largely used radium-226 as the active element providing the energy to the salts in the paint (such as zinc sulfide or strontium aluminate) resulting in the “glow in the dark” effect. Radioactive paints are not commonly available today. It will be present despite the fact that the salts that produce the glow have been bombarded by radiation to the point where they have broken down and no longer glow. One extremely important note to keep in mind is that just because the “glow” has died away and your clock no longer glows in the dark (common with pre-1940’s clocks), this is no indication that the radium is no longer present! Quite the contrary, the radiation from radium-226 has a half-life of on the order of 1000 years. If you are a vintage clock collector, this movie is a must-see. The movie depicts very accurately the dangers of working with and ingesting radium-based paints, the suffering, pain and death that early 1900’s dial painters experienced in their young lives, and how they moved occupational safety forward. ![]() If you have not seen the movie “Radium Girls” (presently on Netfix), you should take the time to see it. Clocks produced in the early 1900’s are particularly concerning in this regard. Many folks might not realize that early vintage clock dials were painted with radioluminescent paint, which is a mixture of fluorescent salts (these produce the glow) and radium-226, which is a dangerous and highly radioactive element. We recently received an inquiry and decided to post the response here for general discussion. It does not store any personal data.Folks sometimes write us to ask about the risks of owning a clock with a luminous dial. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. You can also buy a copy of the study through The Geological Society here. You can read more about the study and its conclusions here. The watches tested were produced from the 1920s through the ‘60s, and are a mix of British, Swiss, and American origin. ![]() Instead, it would be better to take the box outside and remove the lid there, which would allow any built-up gas to rapidly dissipate.” To minimize the risk, I would recommend people not wear them-and if stored in a box, to not remove the lid indoors. “These watches are often precious heirlooms with sentimental value, or highly prized collectors’ items. Professor Gillmore, an environmental hazards expert and the Head of Energy at Kingston University, issued the following warning: In a much larger space, the detected levels were still high enough to warrant concern. The amount of radon monitored was even greater among those watches kept in poor condition. According to a five-year study carried out by research teams at the University of Northampton and Kingston University, and funded by UNESCO, the International Union of Geological Sciences, and the International Geoscience Programme, antique radium-dialed watches could be a legitimate health hazard for their owners.Īfter testing 30 watches kept in a typical room, researchers discovered that collectively they emitted radon, a radioactive element that is the decay product of radium, in concentrations 134 times greater than the United Kingdom’s recommended safe level.
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