I have edited this post because I didn’t read Chris’s Comment correctly. Sorry Chris
Anyway this bit is still of interest.
Just to give you all a tastes for the total institutional overreaction to low does radiation in the face of ALL the scientific evidence, I’ll let you all in on some evidence.
The people of Nagasaki and Hiroshima are the most studied in the world. We all know why. Those that were around in August 1945 and exposed to a low dose of radiation have a higher average life expectancy than their fellow country men and women. I am not talking the high dose that causes radiation sickness, but the low dose that is supposed to cause rampant increase in cancers. By low dose we mean X-ray and a little above, which is way more than Nuclear workers are allowed but what you can get naturally, and way more that you could ever get from those instruments.
The same evidence is emerging out of Chernobyl despite all the misinformed commentary we tend to get. Thyroid cancer in children has been the big on going issue but they are not sure that the Potassium taken to stop the build up of radioactive iodine wasn’t in fact more harmful. The biggest issue arising out of that disaster has been stress caused by the fear of radiation and the dislocation of peoples lives, both of which need not have happened.
If someone wants to counteract what I say then be my guest with a real scientific study. But I would be willing to bet there is no way what so ever of there being any REAL danger from those spitfire instruments. Hell every person my age had a watch with a luminous dial as well as numerous appliances around the house. Judging by some of the youngsters around today we perhaps should irradiate some of them.
By ‘X-ray and above’ I assume you mean diagnostic X-rays (kV range).
X-rays in the MV range as used in Radiotherapy for instance are highly dangerous. and will give you a lethal dose in no time.
However your point is correct – the luminous paint used in these instruments is a beta emitter and easily blocked by a few cm of air or a thin piece of perspex – no threat at all to health IOW.
But the paranoia isn’t about assessing risk or even keeping us safe – it’s about avoiding getting sued by some opportunist with a no-win, no-fee lawyer…mention ‘radiation’ and everyone freaks out.
Ironically, people will quite happily take a long-haul flight during which they’ll absorb more (cosmic) radiation than a 1000 lifetimes of living next door to Sizwell. But there you go!
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