Uranium Ore 119.37g 2000CPM 0.13uSv UV

CPM: 2,000 (Alpha, Beta, Gamma) Gross Counts (Detector Radeye B20)

Dose Rate 0.13 uSv/hr Gamma (Detector Radiacode 103)

This Uranium ore was found at an abandoned mining site in Southern Utah. Miners in this area usually mined for uranium in the form of carnotite, which is an ore with a slight yellow or greenish tint to it. The ore also contains other radioactive isotopes that come from the decay of uranium. Most of the gamma radiation will be coming from the tiny bit of radium in the ore.

Most of the radiation can be blocked with either glass or plastic. The radiation is the most intense right at the surface of the ore sample. Care should be taken while handling the ore sample. Gloves are recommended for handling the ore sample and having some kind of Geiger counter on hand is highly recommended as well. Handling of the ore sample should be done in an area that can be cleaned easily or outside.

Uranium ore is really only a hazard if its ingested or inhaled. Keeping it in a display case should pose no problems. The ore will produce a small amount of radon gas over time from natural radioactive decay.

The activity of the sample was measured at 2,000 CPM (counts per minute) using a Radeye B20 meter. This reading is a combination of alpha, beta and gamma radiation coming from the sample at the surface. This reading can only be recreated using a meter that has a pancake probe and can detect alpha, beta and gamma radiation.

Dose Rate calculated using Radiacode 103 on contact at most active area.

*This sample reacts when exposed to ultra violet light. The strongest glow will come from a UV-A light that emits 365nm wavelength of light. Usually cheaper UV lights won’t create as bright as a glow.