The Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum
2026 editorial revision
In the Jardin des Plantes in Paris, there is a mineralogy gallery.
There are radioactive minerals and, as a result, the museum employs two radiation protection advisers to ensure the safety of workers and the public. And there are many radioactive minerals:
Radioactive minerals. Image credits: Torbernite: Baryonyx, public domain. Monazite: Jan Czeczotka, CC BY-SA 4.0. Autunite: Matthew Wall, public domain. Uranocircite: James St. John, CC BY 2.0. Zippeite: James St. John, CC BY 2.0. Metatorbernite: Daderot, CC0 1.0. Uraninite: H238, CC BY-SA 4.0. Carnotite: James St. John, CC BY 2.0. Photographs obtained via Wikimedia Commons. Images cropped and adapted for this composition (LaRadioactivite.com)
Natural History Museum display cases © Marc Ammerich
Natural History Museum display cases © Marc Ammerich
This can result in a dose rate at visitor level.
You will see that the mineralogy gallery at Paris Sorbonne University has put signage in place.
Paris Sorbonne University
A zoning system has been put in place to inform workers of exposure risks, and an information sign has been installed for the public.
A zoning system has been put in place for workers and for the public. ©Marc Ammerich
Warning sign concerning exposure to ionising radiation and safety instructions in an area containing radioactive minerals. ©Marc Ammerich
The measured dose equivalent rate is 20 µSv/h in contact with the display cases.
Other museums
The two examples we have described can also apply to other mineralogy museums holding radioactive minerals.
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