Disposal Of 'radioactive Watch'.

[Annie Bynnol 612]

Any impression that these clocks an d watches get safer with age is totally misleading. 

The watch will become an increasingly dangerous radioactive source.

 

An old watch or clock with a radium painted luminous dial will become increasingly dangerous in a short period of time.

The half life of radium is irrelevant to your safety and to those who have to deal with it in the future.

 

Considering that all these watches etc will be over 60 years old they will  now  be a significant risk. 

 

The radium also makes the watches worthless as they cannot be sold or gifted. Cleaning costs are prohibitive (£1000+) even if you can find a specialist.

 

[the_bloke 17]

I didn't say it would get safer with age. I said it wouldn't become more radioactive with age (neither did I say it would be less) . I also said that you would only increase the levels of exposure by breaking it.

[Annie Bynnol 612]

2 hours ago, the_bloke said:

I didn't say it would get safer with age. I said it wouldn't become more radioactive with age (neither did I say it would be less) . I also said that you would only increase the levels of exposure by breaking it.

As I said it will become a greater danger as it gets older.

More alpha particles will escape into the surroundings through the ageing seals an mechanisms

Handling will become more dangerous as the dust spreads around inside the watch.

The potential for the glass to break and release radioactive dust increases.

Maintenance becomes extremely hazardous.

 

The biggest danger is it being played with and/or mishandled by children and amateurs now or when "found" in the future.

 

Giving an impression that the dangers can be ignored  for now is a mistake.

 

 

[RJRB 688]

In the great scheme of things I would have thought that this is a very minor issue.

There are numerous radioactive sources used from medical equipment to counting equipment and lightning conductors.

Some are disposed of responsibly and others not so.

Pretty much like any toxic waste.

[Ghozer 112]

don't throw it, they are worth upwards and over £1000 in depending on condition

[Annie Bynnol 612]

3 hours ago, Ghozer said:

don't throw it, they are worth upwards and over £1000 in depending on condition

It is illegal to sell or give away the watch unless they have been "cleaned".

 

[the_bloke 17]

On 06/04/2020 at 18:57, Annie Bynnol said:

It is illegal to sell or give away the watch unless they have been "cleaned".

 

Where are you getting this information from?

[Albert the Cat 0]

On 06/04/2020 at 18:57, Annie Bynnol said:

It is illegal to sell or give away the watch unless they have been "cleaned".

 

Tell me how you "clean" it....

 

I work with our own health physics department, so would like your view.

[andyofborg 11]

On 03/04/2020 at 18:45, Annie Bynnol said:

As I said it will become a greater danger as it gets older.

More alpha particles will escape into the surroundings through the ageing seals an mechanisms

alpha particles only have a range of a few centimetres in air and can be stopped by a piece of paper the risk would seem slight. 

 

[Pettytom 1]

1 hour ago, andyofborg said:

alpha particles only have a range of a few centimetres in air and can be stopped by a piece of paper the risk would seem slight. 

 

Unless you breathe the dust in.

Edited April 9, 2020 by Pettytom

[andyofborg 11]

9 hours ago, Pettytom said:

Unless you breathe the dust in.

yes, but if you breathe in the dust the alpha particles will be stopped by your lungs not the air or paper or clothes which probably isn't the best thing. 

 

anyway, far more damage both internally and externally will likely be caused by the gamma radiation of both it and it's decay products.