Items coated in luminescent paint
- When old models of watches, alarm clocks, compasses, aircraft dials and night vision systems have hands and dials that remain luminescent after spending two days in complete darkness, they are radioactive. This luminescent effect will have been achieved by adding radium, then tritium, to the paint.
- Old items like these tend to be owned by collectors – especially collectors of military objects – or watchmakers or their heirs.
Very low radiation risk
The quantities of radioactive material involved are extremely small, and the radiation is confined by the casing and glass on the objects. There is a risk if the casing or glass gets broken.
In such a case, these items should be handled with caution.
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