close up picture of Mk1 Speedometer required

[Michael R.]

under black light . . . the bright spot being the lamp bulb filament reflecting in the speedometer lens.

[RichardT10829]

Cheers buddy,

I will be knocking out Mk1 dial faces shortly for those that want them

[RichardT10829]

as promised here are the results from the swabs taken from the opened Mk2 gauge

Richard

Been on leave. The swab for the bench (pre clean) and the dial face, and also the gloves showed levels of radium contamination. Both of these were expected. The bench swab (post clean) still showed some contamination, but you’ve done a good job cleaning up. I suggest cleaning the bench thoroughly another three times with 10% solution of domestos or similar (its very similar to the reagents we use professionally). Thick paper towels are best, and keep changing the gloves. If your bench is wooden perhaps waxing or varnishing will ensure anything left will remain fixed.

Put all your rubbish and coveralls in black bin liners and dispose of to the local tip as non-recyclables…this is ok.

When opening any dials be aware that they will be thoroughly contaminated inside, including the inner parts. If you need to do this construct a polythene glove box from a nailed up wooden frame and heavy duty plastic from B&Q. You’ll need to think about hand holes, but something that makes a tight fit.

Don’t sweep the garage floor, this will get the dust in the air. If you have a Dyson or other cyclone cleaner or cleaner fitted with a HEPA filter use this. There is unlikely to be anything much on the floor. Alternatively wash out the floor with a hosepipe.

If you really think you want a professional decontamination I can do this as private work (a lot cheaper) but it will be around £500-600. However, I really don’t think this is necessary given the levels found on your wipes.

Regards

Ian


my reply
"Thanks for that Ian, I take it the amounts were very small what ppm"



30 counts per second above background on a scintillation counter (very sensitive). About the same count rate you’d get from a ‘hot’ piece of granite from Cornwall.

And consider that between the 1930s to 60s people used to take radium bath salts and enemas and Lord knows what other ‘recreational’ products…and of course thermal springs are loaded with radioactive materials, as are bananas Lo-Salt and the sea.

So long as you don’t lick your bench you’ll be fine.

[kevin powles]

Richard, Why dont you just leave those dials alone?. Dont ecourage others to open them up!

I am guessing the guy at Leeds university holds no formal qualification and his advice is just plain foolish.

Kevin.

[RichardT10829]

Quite the opposite, he is the resident Dr who specialises in Radiological contamination... working for University of Leeds Radiation Protection Service... I am not encouraging anyone to do anything just sharing my findings on these things ass it appears not enough is known within the hobby about dangers etc... some people have contacted me asking for repro Mk1 dial faces and all have been advised that there is a risk by opening the Mk2 dial's. The thread has been running since 25th July perhaps you would now like to share and quantify your personal findings and perhaps your qualifications (or qualifications of those who you sought advice from) on the subject to give us a different perspective on this issue, as it is clearly different from the results I have been given from the Lab ?

If you would like to know more about the contact i have spoken with please google Dr Ian K Haslam B.Sc. Ph.D. M.S.R.P. "Radiation Protection Service"


stay safe folks

[kevin powles]

Richie,

I am a Senior Authorised Person Nuclear Radiological at Sizewell 'A' Nuclear power station. It is my day to day job to apply the Radiological safety rules at that location and comply with the Radiological Substances Act.

It is my opinion after working there for 25 years that you dont want to expose yourself to any risk of ingestion of this material, I would advise no one to remove the glass from the Mk2 speedo. If you have one with a damaged face, place in a sealed plastic bag and seek advice on its disposal. I believe some carrier switchs have painted ends which also require disposal.

Not trying to be big headed or tell you what to do mate but I work with radiation every day. Will tell you an interesting story about a guy who decided to bead blast a Lancaster dial at work when I next see you.

There is no way anyone from our site would of given you that advise, then offered to come and decontaminate as paid private work.

Just my opinion, its my area of work, same as the law is yours Richie, If you gave me some advice or your area of expertise, then I would take it.

I dont believe the Mk1 gauges contain any Radium.

Kevin.

The bit about the thread running from July, I sent you a pm on the 25/07/2012 telling you to leave well alone, remember??.

[RichardT10829]

yes as per my reply way up the thread.. telling me close it or get bone cancer (along those lines)

Hi Richard, Dont touch the black white mk2 gauges unless you want bone cancer.kev.


That comment is what started me off looking into the issue with the gauges.. and associated dangers hence me getting in touch with the chap above. I dont think you are big headed at all, but you have to see things from my point of view, as you had said the comment regarding bone cancer I wanted to seek information to substantiate or negate your comment. Imagine how I felt after reading it ? questions like "have i just killed my kids... hug and a kiss and bed time anything on me would be on them".... "What now"... "Am I contaminating everyone around me"... "if i am contaminated can i do anything to change my predicament", "how much is too much" "what symptoms will present and when"

hence why I ended up suiting up masking up then going taking swabs from my workshop, the 30 CPS returned (on top of background radiation) is this in your opinion accurate ? what did your meters read ?

so what would your advice be if contact had been made with the radium dust ? can you answer any of the above questions which had prior to this thread been whirring around my mind.