older model analog light meters, hazardous?

[nijurogoingon30]

To help gain more knowledge I'm buying an analog lightmeter, more specifically the Sekonic L-398m and Spectra p-251 classic. I chose these because they're still heavily in use so finding parts and someone to repair it would be easier, but, more importantly, I like doing calculations. However, I've discovered a lot of pre-90's camera equipment used elements that made you think wtf is that in there for. For example, the lenses that had radioactive elements within it such as the Industra 61l/d. I would wander around with them to a variety areas so as to get a grasp of different lighting situations, I also do the same for measuring distance. What I'm fearful is if they are hazardous to keep with you for long periods. So are they scientifically proven to be hazardous to your health?

 

[starcentral]

probably no more hazardous as keeping a cell phone with you all day long.

 

[rzxrey]

Some are radioactive (low level)...saw a video once.

 

[Mitch Gross]

You'd have to eat it to suffer injury.

 

[Tom Roper]

The L398m has a selenium photocell. Selenium is a metal that is toxic if it leaches into groundwater. The ammeter movement uses a strong magnet. I'd think there is little risk unless a pacemaker is in use.

I really like using the L398a.

 

[paulears]

I work in one venue where there is copious amounts of asbestos, and another where an ancient rectifier full of mercury is on display, we have cell towers on the roof of another emitting microwave energy at levels far above that of mobile phones. All these things are toxic or a hazard if not controlled. I think you're worried by the name, not the real risk. Don't ingest selenium and it's fine.

it it isn't listed as a hazard unless as mentioned, it gets into drinking water.

 

[nijurogoingon30]

Thank you to all. I wasn't worried by the name, I was just unfamiliar with the element and didn't want to chance constant exposure. I've read up more about Selenium, and now I know it is hazardous but also minute, for we ingest it in certain foods like Brazil nuts. I have a better grasp of it and some info I wish I never discovered, namely Brazil nuts, smh. So basically, I'll just buy the L-398A and be done with it.

 

[j1clark@ucsd.edu]

Thank you to all. I wasn't worried by the name, I was just unfamiliar with the element and didn't want to chance constant exposure. I've read up more about Selenium, and now I know it is hazardous but also minute, for we ingest it in certain foods like Brazil nuts. I have a better grasp of it and some info I wish I never discovered, namely Brazil nuts, smh. So basically, I'll just buy the L-398A and be done with it.

If you want to worry, here's something more... just when you thought it was safe to enter the kitchen... granite counter tops (popular in upscale houses and innercity gentrification remodels...).

Granite Counter Top Radiation

 

[Mitch Gross]

Decades ago, while a grad student at Columbia U., the old studio for shooting school projects was located in the Prentiss Hall Science Lab facility on the Northern Campus. It was the "out of sight, out of mind" facility. I remember wandering around the corner one day and discovering a lab RIGHT NEXT TO OUR STUDIO with all sorts of radiation warnings, suits, Geiger counters, radiation badges, plus warnings about pesky things like Strontium-90 and Cesium. There were some funky looking tinker toy experiments going on in there.

Meanwhile the basement had open waterfall drainage, and exposed, well, exposed EVERYTHING. The place looked like an abandoned Soviet-era hellhole out of a bad horror or scifi movie, which is exactly what we film students used it for. There was one huge bathroom space that I referred to as the Kubrick room.

That damn studio probably took a decade off my life.

 

[TheDingo]

Radioactive lenses

 

[j1clark@ucsd.edu]

Radioactive lenses

Yeah... and for those who grew up in the ancient days... Thorium was used in gas mantles, most commonly used for camp lighting... ah, to be out in the great out doors, and inhaling Radon-220 from ye olde camplamp...

I believe most gas mantles have been converted to use something other than thorium, but the net criticism is that the new mantles don't burn as bright...

Thorium emits alpha particles and as such, alpha particles do not penetrate skin. The issue is more of the mentioned Radon gas inhalation, thus allowing the alpha-particle generator into the interior of the body, or the ash dust from the mantel being inhaled.

For what one can do with thorium based mantles... here's what one enterprising Boy Scout did for one of his merit badges...

David Hahn, built a 'breeder' reactor using Uranium 'dust', Radium watch paint, Americium from smoke detectors, and thorium based lantern mantle ash

Thorium is also been looked at as a base for 'breeding' U-233, for fueling nuclear reactors. There is far far more Thorium in the world than U<anything>.