Do gas mantles still contain thorium?
Although only thorium is initially present on the mantle, the thorium daughters build up, some over a period of weeks and some over a period of years, and significant quantities of these daughters are present when the mantle is used. Some of these daughters are released when the lantern fuel is burned on the mantle.
Are Coleman mantles radioactive?
Although most people are unaware of the problem, the mantles in such lamps are actually radioactive . . . possibly enough so to threaten the health of folks who depend on them.
What are Coleman lantern mantles made of?
The mantles are a ceramic mesh that encase the flame produced by the lantern. Typical mantles look like this: Mantles start out as silk fabric sacks impregnated with different oxides. The standard for decades has been the Welsbach mantle, which uses a mixture of thorium oxide, cerium oxide and magnesium oxide.
Do Coleman mantles contain thorium?
Sometime around 1990, the Coleman Company replaced the thorium in their mantles with yttrium. The yttrium mantle produces about 20% less light, but it lasts longer.
Where do you get thorium?
The main world resources of thorium are associated with monazite placer deposits in India, Brazil, Australia, the USA, Egypt, and Venezuela. The second most important thorium resources could be mined as by-product of REO from carbonatites (China, Greenland, Norway, Finland, and Sweden).
What type of radiation does thorium 230 emit?
gamma radiation
Thorium- 230 is typically present with its decay product radium- 226, and it is therefore a health risk from gamma radiation from radium-226 decay products, lung exposure from radon-222 gas and its decay products, and inhalation and ingestion exposure.
When did Coleman stop making thorium mantles?
around 1990
Sometime around 1990, the Coleman Company replaced the thorium in their mantles with yttrium. The yttrium mantle produces about 20% less light, but it lasts longer.
What is the price of thorium?
The current price is $0.005949 per TORM.
How do you date a vintage Coleman lantern?
Lanterns and stoves made from about 1951 to present are usually stamped on the bottom of the fount. You will see two sets of numbers; the number on the left is the month and the one on the right is the year of manufacture.
How do you date a Coleman lantern?
Is it safe to touch thorium?
* Thorium Dioxide is a CARCINOGEN in humans. There may be no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so all contact should be reduced to the lowest possible level. * It should be recognized that Thorium Dioxide can be absorbed through your skin, thereby increasing your exposure.
Is there a yellow Coleman 200A Lantern?
There was even a yellow or “gold” Coleman 200a produced for the Gold Bond Company as a promotional giveaway item. The Coleman 200a was produced until 1983 and in its final three years of production, was painted the same shade of green as other Coleman lanterns.
How much thorium is in a camping lantern mantle?
In the mid 1950s nearly 70 percent of the thorium that was being produced in the United States was used for the coating of mantles in camping lanterns. [5] Each mantle contained nearly 250 mg of thorium. [6]
What is the oldest Coleman lantern that still works?
Vintage Coleman Lantern, Burgundy, dated 4-1962, Rare, working great! Vintage 1985 Coleman CL2 Model 288 Adjustable Two Mantle Lantern. Coleman Lantern : Coleman “Big Hat ” Camp lantern – Vintage 06/1972 mfg’d date.
When was the last year for the Coleman 200A?
The Coleman 200a was produced until 1983 and in its final three years of production, was painted the same shade of green as other Coleman lanterns. Click Here for the Old Coleman Parts Diagram