eli5 How come if highly radioactive radium was on watches that the wearers didn’t succumb to radiation poisoning at the wrist?

Question

eli5 How come if highly radioactive radium was on watches that the wearers didn’t succumb to radiation poisoning at the wrist?

In: 186

Answer 1

Even a cheap wristwatch has the clock face encased in metal and glass, which would have provided at least some sheilding. Compare and contrast with the Radium Girls, who had a more direct, prolonged exposure to the radium paint.