How (not) to Ship Radioactive Marbles

But they're so green!

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We recently needed some radioactive material for an experiment so what do you do? Jump on Ebay and United Nuclear of course!

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Marbles on the envelope they arrived in

Known as green Vaseline glass, they used Uranium Oxide in the 50s and 60s to get the effect. As a (potentially bad) side effect, it's 200 CPM! MightyOhm has a great writeup on various nuclear sources around your house.

In this age of crazy shipping restrictions we were blown away that (ok very slightly) radioactive marbles arrived in a first-class mail envelope. So good!


Comments 3 comments

  • DavidB2 / about 8 years ago / 1

    It just ain't right to ship green kyptonite to Metropolis

  • CF / about 8 years ago / 1

    Hit those with some UV light!

  • Member #838067 / about 8 years ago / 0

    At least one manufacturer is still putting uranium in glass today: http://northstarglass.com/product/ns-137-ill-umanati/

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