The report indicated that you are likely to be exposed to higher levels of radiation from household electronics than from uranium glass. Nuclear Regulation Commission, uranium glass was considered to be safer than everyday electronic items. Uranium Glass is Considered Safer Than Household ElectronicsĪccording to a report published in 2001 by the U.S. This means that it does not have negative health impacts when handled correctly. It is, however, worth noting that the level of radioactivity in uranium glass is very low. While the uranium dioxide used in the glass is vital for the color and appearance, it also makes the uranium glass slightly radioactive. Below, however, we will look at several safety facts related to uranium glass: Uranium Glass is RadioactiveĮnvironmental Protection Agency reports that uranium glass is one of the few antiques considered radioactive. If it is used properly, uranium glass is safe to have in any home. Is Uranium Glass Safe?īecause of the uranium in it, most people often wonder whether uranium glass is dangerous. However, its use dropped when uranium availability was limited by the Cold War in the years running from the 1940s to the 1990s. In the early days, uranium glass was used as a raw material in the manufacture of household items and tableware. Other manufacturers that produced uranium glass included: The London-based Whitefriars Glass Company was one of the first companies to market uranium glass. The addition of uranium dioxide to glass became popular in the 1830s with the interest in uranium glass booming around the 1880s. Soon after, uranium found its way to glass manufacture because of its decorative and fluorescent effect. Uranium was first identified by Martin Klaproth in 1789. Originally trademarked as Jadite, this subtype was later corrected to “Jadeite.” Jadite glass– This glass is semi-opaque or opaque pale green.Custard glass– This subtype is semi-opaque or opaque pale yellow.The yellowish-green color led to the nickname “Vaseline glass” in the 1930s because it resembled the petroleum jelly produced by the Vaseline brand.

Vaseline glass– This subtype is yellowish-green.

Several subtypes of uranium glass exist depending on the color: Uranium dioxide gives the glass a color that ranges from yellow to green. The proportion in which the uranium dioxide is added to the glass mix sits between trace levels and 2% uranium by weight.

During the manufacture of uranium glass, uranium dioxide is added to the glass mixture right before melting. Uranium glass is a type of glass that has uranium dioxide in it.

Radium glass ring