Lethal Illumination: The Tragic Exploitation of the Radium Girls

During the First World War, hundreds of young women were hired to paint glowing, luminescent dials on military watches using newly discovered radium paint. Instructed to point their brushes with their lips to maintain a sharp edge, the women were repeatedly assured that the magical glowing substance was perfectly safe. Years later, their jaws began to disintegrate, and their bones literally crumbl...