Uraniferous minerals collections: a new method for the estimate of radio-activity

Although uranium is considered one of the most dangerous elements in the world, uranium minerals are highly sought-after from mineral’s collectors. Autunite, Vandenbrandeite, Uraninite, Torbernite, Sklodowskite, are the most common mineralogical species involved, both massive or with various habits, from equant to needle shaped. Manipulation, storage and exhibitions of such minerals collections, nevertheless, arises some radioprotection issues since well-established radiation protection guidelines are lacking. The radio-activity of a group of uraniferous mineral specimens belonging to the Barsotti Collection, and now part of the Natural History Museum of the University of Florence collections, was measured through this procedure. This methodology may represent a guide for uraniferous specimens manipulation, conservation and exhibition and can be easily generalized to other minerals. collections.