Vernier Tech Info Library TIL #793

Question

Can I monitor the radioactivity of red Fiestaware with your Radiation Monitor?

Answer

Absolutely. Red Fiestaware prior to 1972 used uranium oxide, U3O8, in the glaze as a colorant. The color was dropped in 1943 when all uranium was needed for the war. It ran again from 1959 to 1972.

Alpha, beta, and gamma radiation are all given off. On a 50 second trial, we have obtained the following results (in counts):

alpha 41
beta 290
gamma 118

Created by: dvernier on March 13 2001
Last updated by: rsorensen on July 07 2004