Residual radioactivity of treated green diamonds.
Treated green diamonds can show residual radioactivity, generally due to immersion in radium salts. We report various activity measurements on two radioactive diamonds. The activity was characterized by alpha and gamma ray spectrometry, and the radon emanation was measured by alpha counting of a frozen source. Even when no residual radium contamination can be identified, measurable alpha and high-energy beta emissions could be detected. The potential health impact of radioactive diamonds and their status with regard to the regulatory policy for radioactive products are discussed.
CEA, LIST, Laboratoire National Henri Becquerel (LNE-LNHB), Gif-sur-Yvette, France. Electronic address: philippe.cassette@cea.fr.
Philippe
P
Cassette
GGTL Laboratories, Geneva, Switzerland.
Franck
F
Notari
CEA, LIST, Laboratoire National Henri Becquerel (LNE-LNHB), Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
Marie-Christine
MC
Lépy
GGTL Laboratories, Geneva, Switzerland.
Candice
C
Caplan
CEA, LIST, Laboratoire National Henri Becquerel (LNE-LNHB), Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
Sylvie
S
Pierre
GGTL Laboratories, Balzers, Liechtenstein.
Thomas
T
Hainschwang
Institut des Matériaux Jean Rouxel, Université de Nantes, France.
Emmanuel
E
Fritsch
D000512:Alpha Particles; D001610:Beta Particles; D001729:Bismuth / Q000032:analysis; D003116:Color; D018130:Diamond / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006801:Humans; D055498:Jewelry / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011059:Polonium / Q000032:analysis; D011851:Radioactivity; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis; D011874:Radiometry; D011883:Radium / Q000032:analysis; D011886:Radon / Q000032:analysis; D013051:Spectrometry, Gamma; D013499:Surface Properties
C000615135:Bismuth-210; D011868:Radioisotopes; D018130:Diamond; D011059:Polonium; D011886:Radon; C000615141:Polonium-210; D001729:Bismuth; D011883:Radium
210Pb; 210Po; 226Ra; Radioactive gemstones; Treated diamond