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Got a classic wristwatch? It’s probably slowly killing you say researchers
CLASSIC wristwatches have been linked to cancer due to the fact they emit radiation, researchers have warned.
By SEAN MARTIN www.express.co.uk
12:55, Fri, Jun 15, 2018 | UPDATED: 13:00, Fri, Jun 15, 2018
Watches worn by British soldiers
during World War 2 gave off heavy doses of radon gas, scientists have
discovered.
The time pieces, of which many have been handed though the generations as family heirlooms, give off the cancer-inducing gas due to their dials which are glow in the dark.
The technique to use the radon-based paint to give the handles on the watches a luminescent glow in the dark was commonly used by watchmakers in the 1920s through to the 1960s, but became part of military uniform during the Second World War.
Experts from the University of Northampton and Kingston University state that radon exposure is one of the leading causes of lung cancer.
The researchers analysed a collection of 30 antique, radium-dial watches and found that they have radon concentrations a shocking 134 times greater than the UK's recommended safe level when kept in an area similar in size to a small bedroom.
Co-author Dr Robin Crockett from the University of Northampton said: “These results show that the radon emitted from individual watches can potentially pose a serious cancer risk.
“This is of concern because in addition to military watches being prized by collectors, many individual radium-dial watches are kept as mementos by ex-servicemen and their descendants.
“They have the potential to pose a significant health hazard to themselves and their families.
“Smokers are particularly at risk.
“The watches tested were a mix of British, Swiss and American made items, manufactured between the 1920s and 60s, but we know these sort of paints were used into the 70s.
“There are potentially millions of these watches in circulation.”
Professor Gavin Gilmore, the other author of the study, added that collectors should not attempt to open the watches: “Loose paint fragments will contain radium particles which could be ingested.
“As this is a strong alpha emitter there is a potentially serious health risk for those who do this."
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http://zombie7.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Big-Set-2.jpg
Remember, it's easier to criticise than create!
https://i.imgur.com/yj2aVuC.jpg
(It’s 70’s so I’m safe)
This isn’t really news though, is it? The risks of radium dials have been known about since the 50’s or 60’s, but I suppose it’s part of the Express mission to categorise everything as either causing or curing cancer.
Anyone with an interesting old watch who’s now concerned, please feel free to send it to me.
The best way to get a good point on a fine tipped paintbrush is with your mouth, but you risk ingesting a bit of paint. Not so good when it’s radioactive paint used on watch hands
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The girls that worked painting the dials etc. all had gum disease and died younger than average. Owning one by comparison is less likely to harm you.
All these things we 'discover' long after the event, next they'll tell us GMO food and glyphosate are bad for us and nature was right all along with its polyculture.
I've got the Squier equivalent
It's a '96 so the Tritium's pretty worn out now, I think the half-life's only about 10 years.
https://i.imgur.com/VRmmyMP.jpg
/\ This.
It's not just old news but ancient news.
How many of the servicemen and civilians regularly in contact with luminous watches or dials contracted cancer? I'll warrant not many. As has been said, it was really mainly the poor souls who got the job of painting the dials who paid a high price.
In the 90s I was in a band that rehearsed in an old country manor house near Slough. During the war it was where luminous dials were made for aircraft. In the period we used that place the lawns around it were marked out in metre squares then each square of turf was dug up and bagged by men in protective clothing. Apparently it was due to radio-active contamination from the materials used in the luminous paint.
The place was also haunted, but that's another story..........
If the watch is waterproof it seems unlikely the radon will escape, and alpha radiation can't penetrate a sheet of paper, never mind a watch case.
The risk only exists if your skin is in direct contact with the alpha emitter, or if you inhale an alpha emitter.
The majority of background radiation you are exposed to comes from naturally occurring radon anyhow, living in an area with granite bedrock will expose you to far more than your vintage watch collection.
BTW you will only find a large amount of Radium on the earliest watches, it was later diluted until replaced by Tritium in the '60's.
Nowadays it is mainly luminova.