The booklet is designed to acquaint the public community and others interested in radium-226 with the research programs being conducted at the Southeastern Radiological Health Laboratory to minimize radiation dangers of radium. Radium-226 is a radioactive element which has application in industry and particularly in medicine. Its use requires caution. Since its discovery about 70 years ago, about 1,300 grams of this nuclide are unaccounted for in the United States. Improper use of radium-loaded devices, sources, and damaged sources, such as these shown at the left, represents a radiation danger to health. Elimination or reduction of this health problem can be accomplished through application of proper handling, testing and management techniques in the use of radium. To this end, improvements in transportation, leak testing, and in assessment of radium and its radiation dose to humans are being studied. Several aspects of research activities are discussed, including safe storage of unwanted radium, development of effective leak-test methods, and handling equipment. (Author)