Answer to Question #4837 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

I know the Willy's Jeeps used for military applications used radium dials and gauges. Would the same be used in the civilian models such as the pickup and overland models?

Radium was widely used by the military during World War II for selfluminous dials and gauges in aircraft, aboard ships, and in the Jeep. But radium was NOT used in the civilian versions. Your question, however, has much broader implications. Radium was used in many civilian commercial applications for selfluminous watch and clock dials, instrument faces, and signs, but this practice ceased about 30 or more years ago. Nonetheless, there are still numerous items with radium selfluminous paint that remain in the public sector, sometimes showing up in antique stores, junkyards, and garage sales. Should you happen to run across one of these items, I recommend that you get in contact with your state department of health; the radiation control folks there will be able to advise you of what to do with it.
 
Ron Kathren
Professor Emeritus