Uranium glass in museum collections - 14/01/09

Doi : 10.1016/j.culher.2008.08.009

Filipa Lopes ^a,^b,^⁎,^{^{2
Tel.: +351 21 994 6000; fax: +351 21 994 1455.}} , Andreia Ruivo ^c , Vânia S.F. Muralha ^c , Augusta Lima ^a,^c,^{^{1
Tel./fax: +351 21 294 8322.}} , Pedro Duarte ^b,^{^{2
Tel.: +351 21 994 6000; fax: +351 21 994 1455.}} , Isabel Paiva ^b , Romão Trindade ^b,^{^{2
Tel.: +351 21 994 6000; fax: +351 21 994 1455.}} , António Pires de Matos ^a,^b,^c,^⁎,^{^{1
Tel./fax: +351 21 294 8322.},}^{^{2
Tel.: +351 21 994 6000; fax: +351 21 994 1455.}}
^a Departamento de Conservação e Restauro, FCT/Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
^b Instituto Tecnológico e Nuclear, Estrada Nacional 10, 2686-953 Sacavém, Portugal
^c Research Unit VICARTE – Vidro e Cerâmica para as Artes, FCT/Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal

Corresponding authors. Departamento de Conservação e Restauro, FCT/Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal. Tel./fax: +351 21 294 8322.

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Abstract

The presence of uranium glass objects in museum and private collections has raised radiation protection concerns resulting from possible exposure to ionizing radiation emitted by this type of object. Fourteen glass objects with different uranium contents were studied. Dose rates (β+γ radiation) were measured with a beta/gamma probe at several distances from the glass objects. In general, the determined dose rates did not raise any concern as long as some precautions were taken. Radon (²²²Rn), usually the most important contributor for the overall natural dose exposure resulting from radium (²²⁶Ra) decay in the uranium natural series, was also evaluated and it was found to be within the background values. Non-invasive analyses of the uranium content were made using micro-EDXRF analysis, measuring the radiation emitted by the objects and fluorescence spectroscopy.

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Keywords : Uranium glass, Uranium analysis, Glass, Museology, Radiological protection