Radium was discovered by Marie and Pierre Curie in 1898. The Radium Girls began working in radium-based factories in the early 1900s and became sick due to radiation exposure. Their case went to trial in 1928 and new laws were implemented.
The discovery of radium marked a transformative period in science and industry but also unveiled the perilous consequences of exposure to radioactive substances.
Following Roentgen's discovery of X-rays in 1895, the research on radioactivity progressed, with Henri Becquerel's investigations leading to the discovery of radioactivity in uranium.
In 1898, Marie and Pierre Curie isolated radium, a groundbreaking achievement.
Its unique properties led to various applications, including its use in products like luminous paints, notably in glowing cosmetics during World War I.
This application unknowingly exposed workers, famously known as the Radium Girls, to harmful radiation.
The Radium Girls, employed in radium-based factories in the early 1900s, suffered severe health issues due to prolonged exposure.
Their plight gained attention when their case went to trial in 1928 in Ottawa, Illinois.
The legal battle shed light on the hazardous working conditions and the devastating health effects of radium exposure.
The resultant settlement marked a turning point, leading to the implementation of new laws and safety regulations, including the establishment of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States.
Despite these measures, many Radium Girls succumbed to illnesses linked to radiation poisoning, a tragic consequence of their occupational exposure.
Their plight raised awareness about the dangers of workplace hazards and spurred advancements in occupational safety standards, aiming to prevent similar tragedies and protect workers from harmful substances. The legacy of the Radium Girls remains a somber reminder of the human cost associated with insufficient safety measures in handling hazardous materials.