Re: Radium Paint

["Ron L. Kathren" <rkathren@beta.tricity.wsu.edu>]

Dave --

Re your question regarding the radium contg radioluminescent paint:  Bob 
Schlenker at Argonne National Lab (see HPS Handbook for address etc.) 
could provide you with the information you require in great detail.  The 
paints, to my knowledge, had a variety of formulations but the Ra-226 
(either alone or in combination with Ra-228) was usually present as 
either the chloride or the sulfate.  The phosphor was ZnS although others 
may have been used.  Argonne Nat'l Lab did a large study of the radium 
dial painters that ended in 1992.  The US Transuranium and Uranium 
Registries have the tissues, records and artifacts from that study.  We 
would be pleased to talk with you by telephone regarding the radium dial 
painters/painting if you desire.  John Russell, 509-375-9315 [ex-Argonne 
National1 Lab]; Ron Kathren, 509-375-3316.  Paul Frame and Dick Toohey, 
both @ ORISE may also be able to provide information.


On Wed, 24 Aug 1994 CASED@delphi.com wrote:

> Can anyone provide information on the composition of the radioluminescent
> paint containing Radium-226 used during the 1940s, 1950s in military
> instruments and other self-luminous products?
> 
> I am interested in the chemical form of the radium, the identity of the
> phosphor, any solvent used, and the nature of any additional constituents.
> Also, information on the radioactivity concentration of radium-226
> (microcuries per ml), and possible sources of additional information would
> be appreciated.
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> 
> Dave Case
> 
> 
>