RADIUM DIAL WATCH FULL

Gamma radiation will pass through a wristwatch case and irradiate the wrist, or the eye during examination of a watch. Radon itself decays by splitting into lighter atoms which are also radioactive, emitting more radiation in the process. Radium atoms decay by fission (splitting) into Radon, which is a gas at room temperature, and alpha and gamma particles which are emitted as radiation.

Radium luminous paint gives off radon gas which can cause lung cancer, so watches should be kept in a well ventilated space or a sealed container.

Degraded paint is more of a problem with very early luminous watches. If the watch is opened and dust or decay products are inhaled and enter the lungs, alpha radiation can cause lung cancer.

Radiation damage can make the paint brittle and degenerate into flakes of paint and dust.

Wearing a watch with radioactive luminous paint is not dangerous.

RADIUM DIAL WATCH FULL

These can be broadly summed up as follows, but for the full detail please read the rest of this page. The risk from these hazards is relatively small, but you should be aware of them. There are several sources of hazards from radioluminescent paint, all of which are due to radiation given off by nuclear fission and the decay products of that fission. My view is that it is not necessary to avoid watches with radium paint altogether, but it is very necessary to understand it and the risks it can pose, particularly if you are going to collect or work on old watches that may have this type of paint. However, here I can take a more measured view of the dangers without being flamed. Radium based luminous paint was banned in the 1960s on health grounds, when attitudes to risk were less precautionary than they are now, so to say that radium paint is less dangerous than a mobile phone, which in the 21st century clearly haven't been banned on health grounds, is plain wrong and highly irresponsible.Ĭaution is rarely a bad thing, but it doesn't get you much kudos on internet forums. It is safe to say that those who don't know what the panic is all about simply don't understand the subject and should be ignored. I even read a comment that the radiation from radium luminous paint is less dangerous than a mobile phone. If you “consult” internet watch forums you will find that some some people get very exercised about the dangers of radium paint, while others don't know what the panic is all about. Note that old radium paint no longer glows in the dark because the radiation burns out the fluorescent material over a short time, about 5 years, but the radium remains very nearly as radioactive as when the paint was new. These are called radioluminescent paints because their luminosity comes from radioactivity. There are broadly two types of luminous paint that a watch collector might encounter, modern luminous substances that are quite safe, or earlier paints based on radioactive materials such as radium that need to be treated with caution. Ever since military, and many civilian watches, have had luminous dials. This is discussed in more detail on my page about Trench Watches. Trench Watch with Radium Luminous Dial: Click to enlargeĭuring the Great War it was quickly realised that a watch with luminous hands and numbers was essential for an officer in the trenches, it allowed the time to be checked in low light or in the dark without using a light that could have attracted a shot from an enemy sniper. Bocks and Rams: IWC and Stauffer Trademarks.New product: Leather and Sterling Alberts.Savonnette and Lépine Watches and Cases.Converted Wristwatches - Transitional? No.Bears Galore! Three Bears and 0♹35 Silver.Borgel 2: Taubert & Fils and Taubert Frères.Borgel 1: François Borgel and Louisa Borgel.

Straps for Vintage Fixed Wire Lug Trench Watches or Officer's Wristwatches

Radium dial watch