Radium, Tritium and other radioactive activators on watch dials and
hands. Radium and Tritium contained as activators in luminous paint on
watch dials and hands, besides other radioactive materials, are subject
to never ending discussions amongst vintage watch collectors, especially
those, who own lumed timepieces from earlier periods or are even working
on them. Opinions differ from what concerns eventual health risks, not
only amongst watch collectors, but also between professionals. Many ask
themselves why those watches should still pose a threat to human health,
whilst the 'glow' is long gone. True, the glow is gone - but not the
radium (or many other radioactive substance used as an activator, as
well as other substances following down the decay chain. The intention
of this book is to give a general overview of radium- and tritium issues
for the vintage watch collector interested in this subject. It is, in no
way, addressing the physicists, chemists or nuclear scientists and will
not go far beyond the necessary for a basic understanding, although a
few more scientific issues could not be avoided. It is a book for all
who are interested to look beyond a meager statement like: Luminous
paint on watch dials and hands containing radium or tritium can be
dangerous to some extend, especially when substances get inside the
body, but all is relative and subject to different opinions. Content:
Luminous paint in the watch industry - Luminescence, fluorescence and
phosphorescence - Zinc sulfide - The activators, radium, tritium and
others - Atoms, molecules and other particles - Radioactivity,
radioactive decay, types of radiation, effects on health - Radioactive
decay chain - uranium 238 to lead 206 - Strontium, the bone seeker /
Promethium - Measuring radioactive radiation - Purchase of lumed vintage
watches - Radon issues - Replacing luminous paint on watch dials and
hands - What's left? - Conclusion - The Radium Girls.
