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In the early 20th century, young women were employed by U.S. companies to apply luminous paint, containing Radium-226, to clock and watch dials. To create precise markings, these workers were taught to sharpen their paintbrushes by licking them, an action that led to the ingestion of radium. This practice resulted in a range of serious health problems, one of the most horrific being jaw necrosis, also known as radium jaw. This condition caused the deterioration of the jawbone, leading to disfigurement, extreme pain, and other severe complications.
Radium-226 is a highly radioactive substance, emitting alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. Chemically, it behaves similarly to calcium because it belongs to the same group of elements, which means when it enters the body, it is deposited in bones. Once inside, it continues to emit radiation, causing ongoing damage to bones and surrounding tissues. Over time, the radium exposure also damages internal organs, making it an incredibly hazardous substance.
Tragically, the companies that employed these women failed to inform them of the severe occupational risks posed by radium exposure. The workers, unaware of the dangers, even painted their teeth and nails with the glowing substance, believing it to be a harmless novelty. When many of the workers began falling seriously ill, their employers denied any responsibility. Some even went so far as to blame the women's symptoms on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), falsely accusing them of promiscuity to shift blame.
However, the women refused to accept these injustices. In 1927, Grace Fryer and four other women from New Jersey filed a lawsuit against their employer, the United States Radium Corporation. These courageous women, later known as the Radium Girls, brought significant media attention to their plight, shedding light on the dangers they had been exposed to. After a lengthy legal battle, the women won their case in 1938, receiving compensation for their medical costs and an official acknowledgment of the company’s negligence.
The victory of the Radium Girls had far-reaching impacts, leading to improvements in workplace health and safety regulations. Their fight for justice played a crucial role in shaping modern labor protections and ensuring better conditions for workers in hazardous industries.
For more information on the Radium Girls and their story, visit: The Radium Girls.
Radium-226 in Schools
Any sources containing Radium-226, such as cloud chamber sources, clocks, dials, or scintillation plates, should not be used in schools. These items should be properly disposed of due to the radioactive risk they pose. If you have any of these materials, consult your Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) for guidance on disposal.
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