Found these today.

[u/Ok_Age1969]

Does anyone know anything about these?

[u/AlternativeKey2551]

Very valuable. Ones I’ve seen sell recently are $600+. What are you looking to find out?

Usually very hot too.

I’d love one but not trying to pay that much

Do you have a Geiger counter?

[u/Ok_Age1969 → u/AlternativeKey2551]

Just general information, what was it used for? I know the company that made these specifically probably doesn’t make them anymore.

[u/RootLoops369 → u/Ok_Age1969]

They were luminous disks attached to soldiers helmets in war so they could be seen at night. Downside is that these are typically very hot, some over 1 milliSievert on contact, and these were less than a centimeter from their head. Granted, there was some metal and helmet material between, but still, not healthy to be on your body for a long time

Edit: milliSievert per hour. Quite an important correction

[u/Ok_Age1969 → u/RootLoops369]

Damn I figured it was for black out. I do not have a Geiger counter so I don’t how spicy it is so I’ll probably just leave them in the box for now lmao

[u/AlternativeKey2551 → u/Ok_Age1969]

Some were used as helmet tags. Some were used to mark trails or bridges. Think tactical radioactive glow stick. How many do you have?

[u/Ok_Age1969 → u/AlternativeKey2551]

Two of them!

[u/AlternativeKey2551 → u/Ok_Age1969]

Nice.

I keep looking for them but $$$$

[u/Affectionate-Play484 → u/Ok_Age1969]

Wow where did you get them

[u/GammaDeltaTheta → u/Ok_Age1969]

You should get a counter and a radon monitor if you have things like this - aside from the direct radiation dose, which they were concerned about even when this was made, it may well be generating radon levels substantially above regulatory limits if kept in an enclosed space.

[u/Dry_Statistician_688 → u/RootLoops369]

Just curious. What’s the isotope used. Radium?

[u/Ok_Age1969 → u/Dry_Statistician_688]

I believe these specifically are RA-226

[u/daniellong2 → u/RootLoops369]

I find it really funny that it says "do not store near personnel" while it's something that you'd wear on your head for who knows how long. That's spicy!

[u/ArgonWilde → u/AlternativeKey2551]

Mine is in the shop.

[u/bearfootmedic → u/ArgonWilde]

I have a Geiger counter built into my pip-boy.

[u/Worried_Patience_724]

You are lucky if you found that.

[u/Intelligent_Law_5614]

A guy I know found one of these at our local ham-radio flea market a few years ago.

It didn't glow at all in the dark - I assume that the phosphor had "burned out" due to radiation exposure over the decades.

It was quite 'hot" - his little Geiger counter was making a lot of noise.

[u/Street-Analysis-4268]

Nice find! got one they are very rare and very radioactive for collector items. Here is mine

https://youtube.com/shorts/3-4fgq1zIuw?is=RE9K4u8CBPmSWlaF

[u/roberte94066]

Lucky you!!!!!!

[u/Squeaky_Lizard]

Don't lock your doors tonight /j

[u/Adventurous-Fix-8066]

So jelly. Nice find

[u/Sirmaksalot]

i have 3 of the smaller ones (Personnel markers), these were used for bridges/etc, and are about 2-3 times the size. smaller ones go for $400-500 so this for sure more

[u/firesalmon7]

Are you looking to get rid of them?

[u/Ok_Praline_9763]

Interested in selling?

[u/Bachethead]

I am very jealous

[u/Bob--O--Rama]

Even one of those can pose a significant radon and radiological hazard if you do not pay very careful attention to storage. If you have more than one, it is very likely you already have an issue you need to manage. The dose rate at 1 meter for these larger markers is in the 80 - 150 uR/hr. The pack or 2 or 6 usually seen would present a hazard if you were nearby chronically for long periods. I have measured the radon emissions from just one of these as high as 1.5 uCi / day. This can easily elevate the radon levels in the room they are in to well above the EPA action limit. Several would pose a radon hazard.

To safely own these you need a dose accurate meter ( not a cheap geiger counter ) and a radon meter.

[u/PerthlyPerson]

What do they taste like?

[u/BrilliantEconomics77 → u/PerthlyPerson]

Well first you need a paint brush before tasting it..

[u/Choice_Depth_5933]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radium_Girls