These accelerators fire beams of electrons, protons and other particles at elements to create radioactive isotopes. They were painstakingly isolated from natural ores, as was radium, or created in small batches in particle accelerators. With few exceptions, oversight of public and workplace safety for radium was mostly a state responsibility, and the federal government’s role was limited to such issues as preventing false advertising and regulating mail shipments.Īt that time, radioisotopes came from just two limited sources. And, as we saw in Part I of this series, it became notorious for fatally sickening radium watch-dial painters in the 1920s. It was widely found in consumer and medical products. It does not store any personal data.Until 1945, radium was the best known radioactive material. 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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