Doramad Radioactive Toothpaste

Doramad Radioactive Toothpaste (Doramad Radioaktive Zahncreme) was produced in Germany by Auergesellschaft of Berlin from the 1920s through World War II.[1]

Development

The toothpaste was slightly radioactive because it contained small amounts of thorium obtained from monazite sands.[1][2] Auergesellschaft used thorium and rare earths in making industrial products including mantles for gas lanterns; the toothpaste was produced as a byproduct.[1] Its radioactive content was promoted as imparting health benefits, including antibacterial action and a contribution to strengthening the "defenses of teeth and gums".[1][2]

During the German military administration in occupied France during World War II, one group of German scientists stole all the thorium they could while in occupied France. The Alsos Mission thought they were using the heavy elements for the refinement of uranium to be used in an atomic bomb, but they were only interested in using the thorium after the war in a patented brand of German toothpaste.[3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Eugen Merzbacher (April 2012). "Readers' Forum: Radioactive toothpaste and reversed helicity". Physics Today. 65 (4): 10. doi:10.1063/PT.3.1500.
  2. 1 2 "Doramad Radioactive Toothpaste (ca. 1940-1945)". Health Physics Historical Instrumentation Museum Collection. Oak Ridge Associated Universities. Retrieved 2011-10-01. Doramad radioactive toothpaste was produced during World War II by Auergesellschaft of Berlin.
  3. ↑ Goudsmit, Samuel. 1947. “Nazi’s Atomic Secrets.” Pages 124-125.

External links

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