How come people are not worried about radium lumes flaking and the dust escaping the case?

A afaw34

Most vintage omegas with radium lumes are not waterproof. That means the seal isn't air tight. This means stuff can get into the watch... and stuff can get out.

Radium lumes have degraded and are often very fragile. It's not uncommon for the lume to dislodge from just wearing.

Therefore, people warn others of opening the caseback of a radium dialed watch. That seems to be a valid concern accepted by most people here.

But if that's true, how does the fact that the dust will flow in and out of the watch due to the lack of air tight seal not concern people?

A afaw34

Your reading comprehension must be so low if you can not grasp that I'm asking a very specific question that hasn't been addressed.

I'm not talking about the dangers of radium dials in general. I'm asking about the possibility of the radium dust escaping the watch case without ever being opened due to the lack of an airtight seal.

All I've read is how they are safe as long as it's closed but might be dangerous if opened. And I'm bringing up the point that if the latter is true, then the watch might be dangerous EVEN if they remain closed because these cases are hardly dustproof. Radium dust will leak out. I'm asking for people's opinion on this specific matter.

Dan S

Ouch.

JwRosenthal

And since this thread is woefully lacking pictures- here’s enough radium to make your skin crawl- and yes, I wear them regularly, as did the previous owners.

JwRosenthal

And since this thread is woefully lacking pictures- here’s enough radium to make your skin crawl- and yes, I wear them regularly, as did the previous owners. You can hear the sirens going off with this one!

BlackTalon

I visited a friend a couple of years ago to help him with some car repairs. We were in the garage, and the overhead door was closed because it was winter time. During my time there that afternoon I was exposed to several seemingly uncontrolled releases of methane gas. I am pretty sure that exposure took a couple of days off my expected remaining life span.