Stuff You Should Know The Radium Girls
Jul 13, 2021
In the 1920s, young women known as the Radium Girls painted watches with a toxic glow-in-the-dark substance, unaware of the health risks. As they became gravely ill from radiation exposure, they fought against corporate negligence, leading to significant legal victories. Their story emphasizes the tragic consequences of prioritizing profit over safety and catalyzed crucial changes in workplace protections. Despite their suffering, the Radium Girls' legacy pushed for greater awareness and reform in labor rights, making their struggle a vital chapter in public health history.
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Molly Maggia's Tragic Case
- In 1922, 24-year-old Molly Maggia, a Radium Girl, experienced excruciating jaw pain and abscesses.
- Her dentist easily removed parts of her decaying jaw, ultimately leading to her death from a ruptured jugular vein.
Misdiagnosis and Corporate Exploitation
- Radium poisoning was unknown, making syphilis a plausible misdiagnosis for Molly Maggia's condition.
- Companies exploited such misdiagnoses to deflect blame from radium exposure.
Deceptive Medical Examination
- U.S. Radium hired toxicologist Frederick Flynn to deceive a dial painter.
- Posing as a doctor, Flynn falsely assured her of her good health, with a U.S. Radium VP deceptively supporting his claims.
