I can see what you are saying but the mess and crud will still be there when you're finished....., internally too! Spoiling the ship for a hap'orth of tar my mum used to say!
The radium didn't ever cause us any harm. Wrist watches, gun sights, compasses etc etc by the dozen. Mind you we didn't have too much health and safety either. Don't know how we managed!!!!!! We're not talking nuclear fission or plutonium 329 here