Survey and risk assessment of radium contamination in a historic desk

For many years the Physics Department of The University of Adelaide has owned a fine cedar desk which dates from before 1900. It was used by professors, including Sir Kerr Grant, for many years and probably Sir William Bragg. In April 1991, approximately 80 kBq of radium contamination was found in parts of the desk. Because of concern for the health of those who had used the desk, a thorough study was made of the nature and extent of the contamination and the risks to health from radon and from ingesting some of the radioactive material from contact with articles such as pencils, stamps and envelopes kept in the drawer. The risks have been shown to be small compared to other acceptable risks in modern society. The desk has been decontaminated and restored.