[time-nuts] How dangerous if a Rb lamp broken?

[Richard Solomon]

We had a Lab in Bldg 6 at MIT (Physics Dept.) that had an old Soapstone
sink in it. I remember talking to an Old-Timer (now this was in the early
60's) who told me that sink was used to clean the bones of deceased
Watch Company workers. They were then tested for Radioactivity levels.

It was a long time before I could get myself to go near that sink, never
mind use it !!

73, Dick, W1KSZ

On 7/10/2013 9:12 AM, J. Forster wrote:
> The watch workers were a tragedy, based on ignorance of the risks. At the
> time, there were probably only a handful of people who'd ever sustained
> injury from radioactive materials. It's not clear that the bosses even
> knew the women were putting the brushes in their mouths or that they knew
> the risks.
>
> These kind of things do happen. Consider Asbestos, DES, Thalidomide,
> Phen-Phen, Avandia, etc.
>
> However, that does not excuse the media, "public interest" groups, or
> especially government for hyping risk totally out of proportion for their
> self-serving political ends.
>
> I think the bigger risk from a broken Rb bulb would come from the glass
> shards.
>
> -John
>
> ===============
>
>
>> You're still here, but what about the young women who painted those
>> watches who aren't?  The problem was that they needed sharp points on the
>> brushes to fill the tiny voids in the hands.  So they twirled the brush
>> tips between their lips.  They could probably bring back radium dials
>> today with no problem, because of automation.
>>
>>
>> Bob - AE6RV
>>
>>
>>
>> From: Lee Mushel <herbert3 at centurytel.net>
>>> To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement
>>> <time-nuts at febo.com>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 10:14 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] How dangerous if a Rb lamp broken?
>>>
>>>
>>> I just tried calling your cell because you seem to be the "legitimate"
>>> person to ask.   I don't read all the time-nuts postings but has anyone
>>> ever brought up the most logical aspect of ionizing radiation for the
>>> group: the radium dial wrist watch? or are they all too young to have
>>> experienced that? I think I got one for Christmas when I was 12 or 13.
>>> I'm still here at 74!
>>>
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