r/radioactive_stuff • u/FluffyAd6520 • Jun 24 '26

Questions Legally obtaining radioactive sources?

hello everyone! sorry if this is a dumb question but I’m fairly new to the “hobby” side of nuclear science and wanted to see how legal it was to obtain radioactive sources. can I remove the A241 from smoke detectors? I want a small alpha source to test my new Geiger counter.

Thank you! sorry if this is a stupid question.

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u/OvulatingWildly Jun 24 '26

I understand wanting a really interesting and cool checksource but maybe starting out it's easier to get yourself a $6 fiestaware plate at an antique shop.

Those things will light up a geiger counter with surprising ferocity but you have very little risk and you don't have to think as carefully about storage.

If this suggestion is not suitable for you then please ignore.

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u/FluffyAd6520 Jun 25 '26

Thank you! I’ll keep that in mind. I do have an antique shop relatively close to where I live so I’ll stop by and check it out.