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Risks of radiation exposure to old military compasses with radioluminescent markings Cover

Risks of radiation exposure to old military compasses with radioluminescent markings

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology
Volume 76 (2025): Issue 4 (December 2025)
By: Igor Miklavčić,  Igor Lassinger,  Vanja Radolić and  Marina Poje Sovilj  
Open Access
|Dec 2025

Figures & Tables

Figure 1

Handheld compass model M.49
Handheld compass model M.49

Figure 2

Handheld compass model M.53 S1
Handheld compass model M.53 S1

Figure 3

Handheld compass model M.53 S99
Handheld compass model M.53 S99

Figure 4

Handheld compass model Bézard (big)
Handheld compass model Bézard (big)

Figure 5

Handheld compass model Bézard (small)
Handheld compass model Bézard (small)

Figure 6

Specific hand positions for holding a compass during its use: a) determination of the main sides of the world; b) determination of the azimuth; c) reading the azimuth in degrees; and d) determination of the local angle below the horizon
Specific hand positions for holding a compass during its use: a) determination of the main sides of the world; b) determination of the azimuth; c) reading the azimuth in degrees; and d) determination of the local angle below the horizon

Figure 7

Background spectrum
Background spectrum

Figure 8

Gamma spectrum of the handheld compass model M.49
Gamma spectrum of the handheld compass model M.49

Figure 9

Gamma spectrum of the handheld compass model M.53 S1
Gamma spectrum of the handheld compass model M.53 S1

Figure 10

Gamma spectrum of the handheld compass model Bézard (small)
Gamma spectrum of the handheld compass model Bézard (small)

Figure 11

Gamma spectrum of the handheld compass model M.53 S99
Gamma spectrum of the handheld compass model M.53 S99

Figure 12

Gamma spectrum of the handheld compass model Bézard (big)
Gamma spectrum of the handheld compass model Bézard (big)

Figure 13

Gamma spectrum of the cotton swab used to wipe the surfaces of the handheld compasses with confirmed presence of radioluminescent paint
Gamma spectrum of the cotton swab used to wipe the surfaces of the handheld compasses with confirmed presence of radioluminescent paint

Measured ambient dose equivalent rates for the three compass models showing radium presence by measurement position and distance (means of 90 ten-second readings per position and distance)

Measurement position (distance in cm)H*(10) (nSv/h)
M.49M.53 S1Bézard (small)
MeanMaxMeanMaxMeanMax
H0 (background)134166134166134166
H1(0)6070796012601570622936
H1(100)154191137191127154
H2(0)4630512012301750494631
H2(100)162181169204155173
H3(0)6620884014701900672921
H3(100)152176153167129154
H4(0)8140945018302340554709
H4(100)156177147226164220

Calculated annual effective dose while using the compass in the left-hand position for two scenarios: frequent (daily) use and occasional use (in a very conservative estimation)

Annual effective dose E (mSv)M.49M.53 S1Bézard (small model)
2 h/day40 h/year2 h/day40 h/year2 h/day40 h/year
2.6*0.140.660.040.390.02
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aiht-2025-76-4038 | Journal eISSN: 1848-6312 | Journal ISSN: 0004-1254
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Language: English, Croatian, Slovenian
Page range: 292 - 298
Submitted on: Aug 1, 2025
|
Accepted on: Nov 1, 2025
|
Published on: Dec 30, 2025
Published by: Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 4 issues per year
Keywords:
ambient dose equivalent rate,
Bézard,
gamma radiation,
gamma spectrometry,
M.49,
M.53 S1,
radioluminescence,
radium
Related subjects:
Medicine,
Basic medical science,
Basic medical science, other

© 2025 Igor Miklavčić, Igor Lassinger, Vanja Radolić, Marina Poje Sovilj, published by Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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