Willie, Some of this is right but some of it is a little misleading. There is plenty of reliable information available online about this. The paint contains Radium 226.
The radium paint can break down
YES it can and does and in fact the lightyupness only lasted three or so years for this reason despite the Ra having a half-life of 1600 years
and emit higher levels of radiation over time.
NO this is untrue, it does become more hazardous because it disintegrates into powder
If the gauge is well sealed, with good glass and seals, it might not emit much at all outside the gauge.
NO this is untrue, Ra is quite a cheeky gamma emitter in any case. Good glass and seals are important though for the reasons below. (Never suck or blow into the dials to try them out!)
The most danger is when people dismantle them for cleaning etc.. In that situation, the broken down paint is in the form of a fine dust and can come into direct skin contact, or be inhaled.
YES SPOT ON Ra is also an alpha emitter and is particularly dangerous if ingested
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