Citizen scientist discovers radioactive objects in Brisbane

A citizen scientist has provided a guide to finding radioactive objects in Brisbane, with two locations in inner Brisbane registering as radioactive.

Radioactive tiles at Central Station. Picture: Supplied

A citizen scientist has developed a method to discover radioactive objects in Brisbane.

Armed with a Geiger counter, nuclear enthusiast Xanthe Carter is on a mission to document the most radioactive places in South East Queensland, with two locations in Brisbane’s CBD identified.

Central Station and Fortitude Valley are two places that technically can be considered radioactive.

Uranium glazed tiles at Central Station are technically radioactive. Picture: Supplied

After first discovering radioactive tiles in New South Wales, Ms Carter started to explore Brisbane, looking for objects to make her Geiger counter click.

“The first and by far most radioactive tile location I found was actually a pub spotted on a road trip though Scone in New South Wales,” she said.

A surface with yellow, orange or black tiles is generally an indicator of uranium glazing. Picture: Supplied

“None of the locations in Brisbane really compare, as the entire facade of the Scone pub is covered with large, orange, uranium-glazed tiles.

“They’re abundant anywhere with art deco buildings. They can also be found in some kitchens and bathrooms in deco-era apartments.

“Once I find a location with promising features. I travel there with a Geiger counter to take a reading, snap pictures and document relevant information like activity value and decorative style.”

Uranium glazed tiles at Fortitude Valley are technically radioactive. Picture: Supplied

Ms Carter said radioactive objects often have certain indicators.

“In the past uranium oxides were primarily used to achieve yellow (uranium peroxide) and orange (uranium trioxide) glaze colours, but can be used to achieve shades of black (uranium dioxide) and olive (triuranium octoxide),” she said.
“I noticed that some buildings were decorated with tiles that had a similar colour and pattern.

“Lo and behold they made my Geiger counter click!”

Ms Carter has now started a petition to get uranium-glazed tiles heritage-listed.

Xanthe Carter with uranium-glazed tiles. Picture: Supplied

When asked about the safety of uranium-glazed tiles, a spokesman for Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency said: “Uranium glazed tiles are typically ceramic tiles that are glazed with uranium oxide to create desired colours and finishes.

“They were common in the early 20th century and are still in place in many locations around the world.

“The levels of uranium remains very low and will result in small radiation doses that are not a concern to health.”

Citizen scientists can learn more about radiation sources and as well as hire radiation meters on the ARPANSA website.