Topic: Geiger counter access needed

[Lustrousstone]

Has anyone in the UK got a Geiger counter suitable for testing low-level radiation, i.e., that given off by uranium glass?

We have just acquired a Davidson 714 fruit set in green that glows strongly under UV in daylight. This set was introduced in the 1930s and still made in the 1960s. I have another set also in green but frosted that only glows a dull yellowish green - a completely different glow. Both sets appear quite early from their mode of manufacture - shiny ground base rims and coarse sand-blasted frosting on the one.

If anyone has a Geiger counter, I would like to send them a small bowl for testing, as Davidson is not known to have made green uranium glass.

[glassobsessed]

Would it be possible to discern the difference between the background level and any emitted off by the glass?

John

[Lustrousstone]

Yes should be

[chopin-liszt]

 :spls:

I'm not too sure it would, aksherly.  Geiger counters are very, very inefficient, (maximum is ~ 10%) and uranium only gives off low level radiation anyway.
I did my school VIth form physics project on this, leaving a Geiger counter on for a couple of weeks or so to detect background radiation, then trying to ascertain the levels of radiation given off by various lumunius toys (eg a frisbee, a 4" diameter ball, and a large patch of "Twinkle Stars"), for equal lengths of time, completely unsuccessfully - nothing significant detected above background level.
Admittedly, that was in the '70s.

I really don't think Geiger counters of the type that would be available to the public or even in schools or colleges are any more efficient nowadays.
I would imagine the detectors used in nuclear power stations are not "normal" Geiger counters.

However, as I do know that uranium beads worn by visitors to nuclear power stations have set their alarms off, perhaps you could take your glass on a little visit?

[Lustrousstone]

My friend is working on it, so we'll see. If not, I might try and contact Barrie Skelcher, as he has the kit and I'm sure he'd be interested. His latest book shows a piece of Davidson that he bought hoping it might be uranium because the seller said it glowed. It isn't.

[Anne]

However, as I do know that uranium beads worn by visitors to nuclear power stations have set their alarms off

Heh heh heh Sue, that sounds like fun, I might have to check and see if any of mine glow then pay a visit to Heysham or Sellafield and see what happens.