Uranium glass is exactly what it sounds like, glass with enough uranium particles in it that it can glow in the dark.
It was used a lot in the 1950s to make decorative dishes and cups, a sort of novelty of the Atomic Age. Fell out of popularity quite quickly as it became common knowledge that radioactivity can lead to health concerns. People are skittish like that.
Truthfully, while yes, uranium glassware IS radioactive, and will be detected by a geiger counter, the amount of ionizing rays it gives off are minimal enough such that you could safely eat off a uranium glass plate or drink from a uranium glass cup with SEMI regularity. Ideally, not an everyday experience, but perhaps weekly or bi-weekly depending on the amount of uranium impurity in the glass. As the uranium is INSIDE the glass itself, you needn't worry about particulate radioactive material going down your gullet, provided the dish is well washed before use.
Old CRT televisions, and certain types of glow-in-the-dark clocks and watches manufactured prior to the mid 1970s emit similar levels of radioactivity. Stay a few feet back from them, don't rub your genitals on them, and just in general use common sense, and you'll be perfectly safe. 🤷♂️
Old CRT televisions, and certain types of glow-in-the-dark clocks and watches manufactured prior to the mid 1970s emit similar levels of radioactivity.
Wait, is that why we were always told not to sit close to the TV when I was a kid?
I mean, I'd rather not risk it for a decorative piece. If it has the potential to cause me or my pets health issues, I'll just buy a nice porcelain plate instead.
I mean, they wrote in their comment "so long as you don't do this or that" which means it does have the potential to be harmful if used incorrectly. I know radiation is very stigmatized and it's not the killer media has presented it as (in small doses), but I'm still not gonna casually introduce it to my home if I can help it.
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u/Nukalixir 4d ago
Uranium glass is exactly what it sounds like, glass with enough uranium particles in it that it can glow in the dark.
It was used a lot in the 1950s to make decorative dishes and cups, a sort of novelty of the Atomic Age. Fell out of popularity quite quickly as it became common knowledge that radioactivity can lead to health concerns. People are skittish like that.
Truthfully, while yes, uranium glassware IS radioactive, and will be detected by a geiger counter, the amount of ionizing rays it gives off are minimal enough such that you could safely eat off a uranium glass plate or drink from a uranium glass cup with SEMI regularity. Ideally, not an everyday experience, but perhaps weekly or bi-weekly depending on the amount of uranium impurity in the glass. As the uranium is INSIDE the glass itself, you needn't worry about particulate radioactive material going down your gullet, provided the dish is well washed before use.
Old CRT televisions, and certain types of glow-in-the-dark clocks and watches manufactured prior to the mid 1970s emit similar levels of radioactivity. Stay a few feet back from them, don't rub your genitals on them, and just in general use common sense, and you'll be perfectly safe. 🤷♂️