[R-390] Radioactivity and meters

[2002tii]

Bob wrote:

>Since the amount of material applied to the meter face is small, the
>overall activity should be pretty small.
>
>I've yet to hear of radio intercept operators having suffered ill
>effects over numerous years of operating these radios, AND the material
>being at a higher level of activity.
>      *     *     *
>Otherwise people are getting concerned over something that isn't at a
>level to be worried about.  You'll get more radiation on a transoceanic
>or transcontinental flight.

I'm not suggesting that people should be afraid of their 390s -- 30 
years ago I "repurposed" the luminous dial paint from a bunch of 
instrument dials by [carefully and with proper precautions] scraping 
off the paint, grinding it up, and mixing it with clear lacquer to 
make low-light sights for firearms and to mark telescope setting 
circles, camera dials, etc.  But suggesting that people not worry at 
all about them isn't the right answer, either.  I still say don't 
store them next to your gonads, eyes, or other sensitive organs, and 
don't ingest or aspirate the luminous paint.  Sensitivity to ionizing 
radiation varies greatly from one person to another -- you won't know 
you are hyper-sensitive until you have complications -- so the safest 
course of action is to assume that you are hyper-sensitive and act 
accordingly.

Use luminous meters as intended -- view them from a foot or more 
away, and hopefully not 24/7 -- and you should be fine.

Best regards,

Don