Re: [MV] Radium Instrument Dial Danger
Ron (rojoha@mediaone.net)
Wed, 24 Feb 1999 09:13:30 -0500
Same holds true for mid 50's M38A1 gauges, and probably all other
MV's of this period. We used to use them as examples when training CD
Radiation Monitors on use of CDV-777 training kits. ( As in 'This
vehicle may have transited a hot area-- check possible areas of
contact for contamination'. When they checked the ignition switch
area with the shield open, they should have detected some low level
Alpha & Beta from the gauge faces.) All of my M38A1's still emit. If
they glow in the dark without exposure to a light source first , it
ain't because of the Energizer Bunny!
As long as you don't sleep with your hard to find NOS gauges in your
shorts to keep your buddy from "relocating your assets" to his
restoration, you'll be fine. In NBC school they teach distance and
low time exposures are your friends when it comes to Nuclear type
stuff. Don't smash up gauge faces to drive up prices or tape the face
of the gauge over your eyes as a sleep mask or because it looks
"cool" in the dark and you should be fine. And don't let your rug
rats chew on them to keep them quiet while you work on the hanger
queen.
Remember, Uncle would never intentionally expose his employees to
any danger. ( After the shell from the "Atomic Cannon" detonates ,
wait until the blast wave passes over the trench and then stand up
and face the weapon test area. Upon command of your squad leader ,
exit the trench and advance line abreast and follow the direction of
the Radiation Safety Officers. There is no danger in this exercise as
long as you follow directions. ) Test was a "GLOWING" success. High
incidence of cancers in test troops was due to cigarettes issued in C
Rats. And all those pretty lights in Reno and Las Vegas burn all
night due to cheap electricty. The fact that they had some mis-
forecasted plumes in the fifty's had nothing to do with it. [ They
had a power failure in Vegas one night in the early 60's but no one
outside noticed . People inside commented how clever it was to put
emergency lighting in slot machine handles. Nice, even glow. ;-)]
Remember risks are relative. Insignificant radiation exposure for
operation with lights off, or severe lead poisoning from lights on.
In this case lead is your enemy and "Sunshine Units" are your
friends!
Ron MVPA 18999
===
To unsubscribe from the mil-veh mailing list, send the single word
UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of a message to <mil-veh-request@skylee.com>.