Re: Revigorator

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

Re:  Revigator.

This interesting device is very briefly described on pp. 13-14 of my book 
"Radioactivity in the Environment".  A photo is included.  There were a 
number of models of Revigators, but all were lined with a radium bearing 
ore (ie a uranium ore.  They crop up from time to time in flea markets 
and antique stores, and typically sell for about $60 in reasonably good 
condition.  An external field is detectable at the outer surface of the 
Revigator, the exact level being dependent on a number of factors, not 
the least of which is the type of instrument used (ie source to detector 
distance).  On p. 35 of the "Handbook of Radiation Protection and 
Measurement", Vol 1, Edited by Allen brodsky, the concentration of gross 
alpha-beta activity in the water from a Revigator is given as about 1300 
pCi/L, which would result in ingestion of 26 nCi of Ra-226 annually by a 
person following the instructions.  Hope this helps, and is of interest.  
Paul Frame at ORISE has a Reivgator on display there, and I have two in 
my personal collection.

Ron Kathren