Luminor wrote: ↑May 23rd, 2018, 1:25 am
Has anybody tried mixing the radium with the new luminous material to relume a dial or hands?
Its very probable someone has tried this in order to make the build more convincing (gen like) and "pass" the geiger test,but I'd advise against it, any manipulation with such hazardous material is dangerous and any watch is absolutely not worth damaging your health,imo.
With that said I have handled many radium watches and hands throughout the years and Im almost certain that I never contaminated myself. I have equipment to check for any contaminations. Its a good idea to have if one has to handle a lot of radium watches.
The best thing to do if you have to disassemble a radium watch is to do it over a disposable cloth that is plasticised on one side, using gloves and if you are extra paranoid use some kind of respiratory protection. Since the lume often is very dry and falls apart, small particles of it can easily be inhaled or float away and lay on your evening snack. Lume particles can for example get caught in the lungs alveoli, alternatively the radium can be ingested and deposited in the bones.
The lume must be handed in at the local waste facilities as dangerous goods, at least here in Sweden.
Stay safe!
MSc in Medical Radiation Physics 2019. Interested in orchids, micro greens, economy, watches and subatomic particle physics Add me on Instagram @Astrophysical
Luminor wrote: ↑May 25th, 2018, 11:32 pm
What kind of equipment do you use to check for contamination?
Handheld radiation detector, either a Geiger or a scintillation detector! They are fast and easy to handle!
MSc in Medical Radiation Physics 2019. Interested in orchids, micro greens, economy, watches and subatomic particle physics Add me on Instagram @Astrophysical