Fiestaware Radioactivity Demonstration

Demonstraton of the radioactivity of "Red Fiesta" Fiestaware manufactured by the Homer Laughlin China Company during the early 1940's. The red/orange color comes from using a glaze containing Uranium Oxide.

This piece produces approximately 39,000 CPM. There is a small alpha component, approx 9000+ CPM of Gamma, and 30000+ CPM of Beta radiation.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• geiger
• radiation
• radioactive
• fiestaware
• drsb-01
• CDV700

[PatoWachaca]

Can it give you radiation or something?...or it isn't harmful ?

[mkrubsack]

@PatoWachaca It's relatively safe.

[dustybugger411]

Ok... so is it still present in the stuff being sold in stores today? or just the antique stuff?

[mkrubsack]

@dustybugger411 You can find it in antique stores if you're lucky. Best place is probably eBay. It's called fiesta red, but as you can see in the video, it's orange. Look for the fiesta logo stamped on the back as well.

[Metamaster765backup]

is it true that this old fiesta-ware was partially made with active uranium? also for one of those geiger counters like the bigger yellow one you used, how much do you think one would cost, and where do you think would be a good place to get one?

[mkrubsack]

@Metamaster765backup Yes, the red-ish/orange glaze was made with uranium oxide. Look on eBay for a CDV-700. They are good "starter" geiger counters.

[ghostgeek]

OH NOES! We all gonna DIE!  Everyone panic!

[tesla242]

That´s a really "hot plate" :p

[DD1ng]

Over dramatic much with the music?

[gertzjb22]

BTW, our smoke detectors only measured about 0.02 mrem//hr at the surface of the detector. Not really a concern even at twice the background level especially since they are located on the ceiling and not in close contact with anyone at any time unless you are standing right under them.

[gertzjb22]

I just measured about 0.15 mrem/hr on a red fiestaware plate with a MedCom Radalert Detector. "Normal" background radiation with this device is about 0.01 mrem/hr. So the plate is about 15 times the normal background radiation. Not something I would want to keep around in my home. 

[xboxaddict1125]

15 minutes later the geiger counter explodes.  :P

[jednoucelovy]

It reads 30 mrem/hour. So if keep this attached to your body for 70 days, you might develop an illness; serious illness after 9 months, and you will die within 2 to 4 years. Hence making a necklace of this wouldn't be a good idea.

[441rider]

I'd be checking the rain water vs the tap water in next few months. Don't eat that plate whatever you do :o)

[ggabe005]

Test mayonnaise and pepto bismol with your geiger counter!!!! you will be shocked!