There's an item offered for sale as a curiosity from the 1930's which is made with radioactive materials

Question

to give it fluorescence. I remember a tv segment where they stated that in years back before full dangerous effects were known, the material was incorporated in items manufactured. Years later people would get stomach cancer from a radioactive piece carried in their trousers' pocket, artists licking paintbrushes to a fine point using "glowing" paint developed lip and throat cancer, etc...
Well, I wouldn't buy the particular item but I wonder if the seller can be trusted with another similar non-radioactive item.
MY QUESTION:
If per chance they were stored together, would there be a possibility of cross-contamination? Would you caution me against purchasing anything from this seller just in case?

Answer 1

You are correct in remembering that the ladies that painted the faces on the watches got lip and mouth cancer from "tipping" the brushes in their mouth. Their are other glow in the dark clocks, Baby Ben, that also have radioactive paint that were made before hey knew the hazards of radioactivity.There was also some gold jewelry made from radioactive gold that got on the market.Cloisonne

For your question: the radioactivity can not move from one object to another. The alpha particles are a hazard if they are ingested. The beta particles can cause a skin burn. the gamma rays will go through your body causing damage but they do not stay on an article.They just go on into the air.I can not give you advice on purchasing something, just the science.

Answer 2

yeah i remember hearing stories about the "radium ladies" who painted the watches (and would lick their brushes all the time) and died back in school. heres a site, dont know if its reliable

http://elginwatches.org/help/luminous_dials.html

tons of people wore watches painted with radioactive radium for decades, and humanity didnt drop dead. i cant imagine the tiny amount of radiation those watches give to you from casual exposure is major threat to your health. but im no expert.....

Answer 3

better safe than birthing flipper kids with one eye and 3 legs