Radioactive WWII Army Corps of Engineers compass
Channel: Josh Lucy
Date: 2017-03-22

Quick overview of and measurement of a radioactive antique compass I found in a shop on the Oregon coast. A UV light shows where the radium-bearing paint was placed. I use gloves as an added safety precaution to make sure I didn't did get any contamination that may have seeped out on my skin. The gloves didn't show any contamination after use, but I used them anyway. The sample should only be emitting beta and gamma radiation because the plastic should shield alphas completely.

The sample is measured by three instruments:
- Canberra MRAD 103 (Gamma only) dosimeter.
- Canberra ADM-300 (Gamma only w/beta shield closed) survey meter.
- Ludlum Model 3 survey meter with Ludlum 44-9 (Alpha + beta + gamma) probe.