It may seem far-fetched that you might come across radioactive gold, yet the following from library.albany.edu/speccoll/findaids/issues/1981_03_31.pdf shows that not only is it possible, but in fact it has happened. I believe that the following understates the dangers and the outcome, and further believe that the facts are a bit mixed up.
While it is true that in the 30’s and 40’s radon filled gold capsules were implanted into male prostates to treat cancer I cannot imagine how radon, which is a gas, could contaminate a gold melt as it would simply escape. I suspect that the real culprit is Gold isotope 198. There are many radioactive gold isotopes and many have a half-life of a few days. But gold 198 has a very long half-life.
I believe that the actual untold story here is that someone obtained gold 198 implantation rods, which would be implanted into male prostate cancer, were obtained, either by theft, or by ignorance. Hoover & Strong, then in Buffalo, NY included some of this radioactive gold into melts, after refining. Keep in mind that gold 198, acts, looks and would refine exactly as gold 197, the stable, non-radioactive gold that we like. Gold 198 has a half-life of about ½ year, meaning that it can still be radioactive for decades.
The article points to amputated fingers, but I have read that deaths occurred also.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) Slate Heallh Department officials
are searching for 1930's and I940's graduates of
seven Buffalo, N.Y., area high schools, who may be
wearing radioactive class rings or pins. Department
spokeswoman Barbara Thomas-Noble said lhal a
statewide screening led to Ihc discovery of about 100
pieces of radioactive gold jewelry. She said 50 of Ihc
rings and pins have been traced to Buffalo high schools,
with 38 believed lo be from East High School in Buffalo,
which is now closed. 1 nvcsligalors arc Irying lo contact
all graduates of Ihc schools by using gradual ion
programs, yearbooks and microfilm records, Health
Commissioner Dr. David Axclfod said lasl week. The
graduates arc being asked lo contact llieir local health
departments for testing immediately.The radioactivity
can cause rashes and blisters, and several people have
had fingers amputated because of skin cancer from
radioactive rings. Health Department officials say Ihc
gold apparently found its way into Ihe commercial
market between the early 1930's and I940's aflcr being
used in gold "seeds" thai contained radioactive
radon gas for cancer Iherapy.Deparlmcnl officials have
said they have been aware of Ihe problem since Ihc
1960s, bul they did not alert the public until alter a
January rcporl by a Buffalo television station called Ihe
attention lo the danger.
Today there is a renewed interest in radioactive gold nanoparticles for implantation into prostate cancer.
I guess the bottom line is to be aware of anything truly unusual.
When metals prices increase strange sources appear. Once when purchasing metals during 1979 I became thrilled with about 40 ounces of sterling that a customer brought in. They were tiny intricate piercings. (A piercing is a piece of metal cut from another larger piece with a tiny jewelers blade.) I, having been a goldsmith was amazed at the quantity and quality of these hand-cut tiny pieces and verbalized it, curious as to what kind of jewelry this person made.
The woman, hemmed and hawed and then finally blurted out: “stop it—you know I stole these.” Well, no, I did not, but she told me the story anyway. She worked at a silver flatware manufacturing company in Newburyport, MA (possibly Gorham) and her job was to “pierce cut” the details on flatware. Apparently she left with half a teaspoon in her shoes every day. No, I told her, I was not interested in buying stolen goods, but since many years had passed and so had (probably) the limitation of actions, I did not feel a need to “report her” either, so she sold the metal to a competitor. Oh well. I had no interest in stolen goods.
The moral of the story, is “be careful,” and cautious. You never know what you'll come across.
While it is true that in the 30’s and 40’s radon filled gold capsules were implanted into male prostates to treat cancer I cannot imagine how radon, which is a gas, could contaminate a gold melt as it would simply escape. I suspect that the real culprit is Gold isotope 198. There are many radioactive gold isotopes and many have a half-life of a few days. But gold 198 has a very long half-life.
I believe that the actual untold story here is that someone obtained gold 198 implantation rods, which would be implanted into male prostate cancer, were obtained, either by theft, or by ignorance. Hoover & Strong, then in Buffalo, NY included some of this radioactive gold into melts, after refining. Keep in mind that gold 198, acts, looks and would refine exactly as gold 197, the stable, non-radioactive gold that we like. Gold 198 has a half-life of about ½ year, meaning that it can still be radioactive for decades.
The article points to amputated fingers, but I have read that deaths occurred also.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) Slate Heallh Department officials
are searching for 1930's and I940's graduates of
seven Buffalo, N.Y., area high schools, who may be
wearing radioactive class rings or pins. Department
spokeswoman Barbara Thomas-Noble said lhal a
statewide screening led to Ihc discovery of about 100
pieces of radioactive gold jewelry. She said 50 of Ihc
rings and pins have been traced to Buffalo high schools,
with 38 believed lo be from East High School in Buffalo,
which is now closed. 1 nvcsligalors arc Irying lo contact
all graduates of Ihc schools by using gradual ion
programs, yearbooks and microfilm records, Health
Commissioner Dr. David Axclfod said lasl week. The
graduates arc being asked lo contact llieir local health
departments for testing immediately.The radioactivity
can cause rashes and blisters, and several people have
had fingers amputated because of skin cancer from
radioactive rings. Health Department officials say Ihc
gold apparently found its way into Ihe commercial
market between the early 1930's and I940's aflcr being
used in gold "seeds" thai contained radioactive
radon gas for cancer Iherapy.Deparlmcnl officials have
said they have been aware of Ihe problem since Ihc
1960s, bul they did not alert the public until alter a
January rcporl by a Buffalo television station called Ihe
attention lo the danger.
Today there is a renewed interest in radioactive gold nanoparticles for implantation into prostate cancer.
I guess the bottom line is to be aware of anything truly unusual.
When metals prices increase strange sources appear. Once when purchasing metals during 1979 I became thrilled with about 40 ounces of sterling that a customer brought in. They were tiny intricate piercings. (A piercing is a piece of metal cut from another larger piece with a tiny jewelers blade.) I, having been a goldsmith was amazed at the quantity and quality of these hand-cut tiny pieces and verbalized it, curious as to what kind of jewelry this person made.
The woman, hemmed and hawed and then finally blurted out: “stop it—you know I stole these.” Well, no, I did not, but she told me the story anyway. She worked at a silver flatware manufacturing company in Newburyport, MA (possibly Gorham) and her job was to “pierce cut” the details on flatware. Apparently she left with half a teaspoon in her shoes every day. No, I told her, I was not interested in buying stolen goods, but since many years had passed and so had (probably) the limitation of actions, I did not feel a need to “report her” either, so she sold the metal to a competitor. Oh well. I had no interest in stolen goods.
The moral of the story, is “be careful,” and cautious. You never know what you'll come across.
