WW2 German Bomb Photography and Radon

[gmiller6]

I understand that WW2 bomb photography was eventually carried out routinely for Bomb Disposal Units in order to determine fuzes and booby traps. According to Hartley's book, "Unexploded Bomb", page 137 the radio-active source was Radon.

Radon is highly dangerous and particularly causes lung cancer, but this may not have been realised during the war. Was there any protection, such as lead aprons, given to these soldiers?

Does anybody have any information on cancers occuring in those Bomb Disposal specialists who used Field Photography?

Geoffrey Miller

 

[Fuzeman]

Hi Geoffrey
you are correct in that Radon was the source used for Field Photography it was stored in caves in Chisleshurst in Kent , amongst other places.
Ive met several pioneers of photography allthough felt very sick carrying out the process they all lived to grand old age , Dr Bob Dawson , and Major John Hudson to name 2 of those i met , John Died December18th 2007 aged 93