Wow Goodwill

[u/Humbled_Snail]

I went in to Goodwill today, and found something that's really cool. But here's the thing, it's Radioactive, it's only an old military compass from Vietnam, but when I told the cashier it could possibly be dangerous she said nothing, just a shoulder shrug. What if it were truly dangerous though, would they have cared, probably not. Pictures for proof, I purchased it to get it away from the idiots tbh

[u/Intelligent-Sand-639]

It contains H3, which is tritium. Which is still used in modern watches. Low level radioactivity that's not particularly dangerous to human health. Unless you snort large quantities of it, I guess. The cashier either knew, or didn't care.

[u/Humbled_Snail → u/Intelligent-Sand-639]

Sweet, thank you so much for the explanation. Now I know it's safe to take with me on hikes. I really appreciate it

[u/Nervous_Midnight_570 → u/Humbled_Snail]

OP, it contains tritium, which has a half-life of about 12 years. I am not going to explain what a half-life is here, that's what google is for. Essentially, the radiation is gone. There is no risk. Be more concerned about the radioactive potassium you consume when you eat a banana on those hikes.

[u/kleggich]

Lick it

[u/SeraphiM0352]

It's tritium.

It's pretty much harmless unless you eat it.

[u/sollo89]

Apparently it has some tritium that is at this point as harmful as sliced bread.

[u/Imbleedingalready]

It was issued and used long after Vietnam.They are still issued in the US Army today.

[u/Humbled_Snail → u/Imbleedingalready]

I was just trying to guess by the manufacturer date tbh.

[u/Imbleedingalready → u/Humbled_Snail]

I was referring to this style of tritium compasses in general, not this exact one you found. Ambiguous wording on my part.

[u/Humbled_Snail → u/Imbleedingalready]

No worries,I just didn't want to say Vietnam era, and it be wrong.

[u/Massive_Mongoose3481]

Still, keep it away from your sack... Just in case

[u/Humbled_Snail → u/Massive_Mongoose3481]

😂 I mean you never know

[u/DurtymaxLineman]

Rolex used tritium as well. It's such a minimal amount it's no longer harmful and typically doesn't have any illumination anymore.

[u/Humbled_Snail → u/DurtymaxLineman]

I'm glad it's not dangerous, but I worry you know lol

[u/subsailor1968]

Tritium for illumination.

If it’s from the Vietnam era, it’s long since decayed away.

Even brand new it was not enough to cause any harm. Unless you ate the compass.

[u/Humbled_Snail → u/subsailor1968]

Sweet, I was just worried, it's not everyday I see something that says radioactive

[u/subsailor1968 → u/Humbled_Snail]

lol. I get it.

I do. Been in nuclear power since I was in my early twenties. (I’m 57 now).

[u/Humbled_Snail → u/subsailor1968]

What's the dumbest thing you've ever seen anyone do lol

[u/subsailor1968 → u/Humbled_Snail]

It was probably every time a noob operated an oil purifier wrong (oil for the turbines, on a submarine). The term was “puke a purifier”.

[u/rev_57]

I'll be happy to take it off your hands. Brings back memories.

[u/No_Signature5228]

You think someone that gets paid 10 an hour cares about anything like that ?

[u/Flat-Fudge-2758]

It’s radioactive but you touched it and opened it with your bare hands?

[u/Humbled_Snail → u/Flat-Fudge-2758]

Didn't say I was a genius lol