Uranium in glass, glazes and enamels: History, identification and handling

A survey of over 400 glass, enamel and ceramic objects from museums and pri vate collections was made to investigate the extent of uranium colorants. W idespread use of uranium was found in colored glass, enamels and ceramics p roduced between the 1830s and 1940s. Simple tests can be used to determine the presence of uranium in objects. This knowledge can be useful for authen tication purposes; the presence of uranium may also compromise thermolumine scence dating of ancient objects stored nearby. Little health risk from ura nium-containing objects was found unless many objects were stored in a smal l area, or if acidic or alkaline foods were stored in them and consumed in quantity.