Radiation Pathology: The Hidden Perils of a Powerful Force
It's the exposure of the radium girls, who injuries were so detrimental and public that the scientists who were developing the atomic bomb took so many precautions.
Imagine discovering something that can both save lives and cause unimaginable harm. In this episode of 'This Pathological Life', host Steve Davis and Dr. Travis Brown take you on a gripping journey through the history of radiation. Starting with Marie Curie's groundbreaking work isolating radium and polonium, they highlight her genius and the unforeseen dangers of her discoveries. Radium became a sensation, finding its way into medicine, cosmetics, and even toothpaste. But the glow of radium had a dark side.
The tragic story of the Radium Girls, who painted watch dials with radium-laced paint and suffered horrific injuries, is a stark reminder of the material's dangers. Their plight eventually led to significant changes in workplace safety regulations. The episode also takes a sobering look at the Maralinga nuclear tests in Australia, where atomic bombs were detonated between 1956 and 1963, causing devastating effects on the indigenous population.
This episode is a compelling mix of science, history, and human stories that underscores the double-edged sword of radiation.