own
USA
Radioactive Materials In Antiques
Among the furniture, clothing, jewelry, books, dolls, dishes, and many other objects sold at flea markets and
antique shops, you will likely find items that contain radioactive compounds. These items were generally
made and originally sold before the health effects of radiation were well-understood and long before radiation
protection regulations were put in place.
Many antiques actively exploit the radioactive properties of radionuclides:
• clocks, watches, and instrument dials that glow in the dark, may contain radium or tritium
• some ceramics (specifically old Fiestaware®) get their color from the addition of various radionuclides to
their glaze
• vaseline or canary glass contains small amounts of uranium, which provide it's yellow-green coloring and
also makes it glow under black lights.
These items emit small amounts of radiation, but enough to register on a hand-held Geiger Counter.
Clocks, Watches and Instrument Dials
When radium was discovered in the early 1900's, people were fascinated with its mysterious glow. The hands
and faces of some clocks, watches, and ship and airplane instruments were painted with paints containing
radium to make them glow in the dark.
Over time, however, experts discovered that radium is highly radioactive and emits alpha, beta, and gamma
radiation. Radium is particularly hazardous if inhaled or ingested because it then emits radiation directly to
living tissue. Many radium dial painters licking the bristles of their paintbrushes to create fine tips for
applying the paint to these small surfaces. Later many of them developed bone cancer, primarily in their jaws.
By the 1970's, the practice of using radium on watch dials ended.
Ceramics
Glazes used for tiles, pottery, and other ceramics made before the 1960's, often contain elevated levels of
naturally-occurring radionuclides. Manufacturers typically used uranium, thorium, and/or potassium-40, all of
which emit alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. As recently as the 1930s, Fiestaware® used uranium oxides to
create the distinctive orange-red color of its dinnerware.
Glass
Early 19th century European glass makers sometimes added small amounts of uranium to glass as a yellow-
green coloring agent. Because of its yellowish color, this type of glass was called vaseline or canary glass. In
part, collectors like canary glass for the attractive green glow the uranium gives off when exposed to a black
light.
Starting around 1970, the intentional use of radioactive coloring agents in commercial glazes and glasses in
the U.S. dramatically decreased. However their use continues in other countries, and ceramics and glasses
containing radioactive coloring agents may occasionally enter the United States.
Antiques containing radioactive materials will continue to emit low levels of radiation for many years.
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (6608J) | EPA 402-F-06-024
April 2006
www.epa.gov/radtown/antiques.html
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RadTown USA
Who is protecting you
The States
Each state has the authority to regulate naturally- occurring radioactive materials, including uranium,
thorium, and radium.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
NRC establishes regulations for licensing the sale, use and disposal of radioactive material. Licensing
requirements for the use of radioactive materials in consumer products are based on the quantity and
radioactivity of the materials. Generally, NRC does not regulate antiques, but there are a few exception
depending on the origin of the radiation source and the source strength.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The Clean Materials program at EPA monitors the ways radioactive material could get into consumer
products. EPA also works with the nationwide Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors to
investigate methods for keeping radioactive materials out of consumer products. Generally, EPA does not
regulate antiques, but there are a few exception depending on the origin of the radiation source and the source
strength.
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
DOT regulates the transport of hazardous materials, including radioactive materials, by highway, rail, air, and
vessel. The hazardous materials regulations are in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Generally,
DOT does not regulate the shipment of antiques, but there are a few exception depending on the origin of the
radiation source and the source strength.
What you can do to protect yourself
Antiques that contain radioactive material do not normally pose a significant hazard if they are intact and in
good condition. The more radioactive antiques added to your collection the greater the potential hazard. Even
though the potential radiation exposure from your antiques is very small, it is still possible to reduce it further.
• Avoid displaying antiques in an area where people spend a lot of time.
• Minimize the time you or your family handle radioactive antiques.
• Do not attempt to disassemble radium watches or instruments.
• Do not use orange-red Fiestaware®, similar ceramics, or vaseline glass to hold food or drink.
• Immediately dispose of any broken radioactive antiques. For proper disposal instructions, contact your
state or local radiation department.
Resources
You can explore this radiation source further through the resources at the following URL:
http://www.epa.gov/radtown/antiques.htmltfresources
We provide these resources on-line rather than here so we can keep the links up-to-date.
United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (6608J) | EPA 402-F-06-024 April 2006
www.epa.gov/radtown/antiques.html
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