The Radium Girls by Kate Moore

 

Subtitle: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women

I had no idea. I picked this book up thinking it was historical fiction. Nope, it was non-fiction and I could not put it down.

Back in the 1920's in New Jersey a factory open that painted radium on watch faces and airplane instruments. This was a new and exciting thing and girls flocked of all ages to go work there. Radium had been touted as having many health benefits so there was no fear.

When the numbers were painted on the dials it had to be very neat and crisp. It was done by dipping a small paint brush into the radium, putting it in your mouth to make a fine point and then painting the dial. This was done over and over all day. They were paid by the piece so you can only imagine the thousands of times this was done in a day.

Nothing was talked about how unsafe this could be. Women started to have jaw problems, lose their teeth, eventually having other health issues. They were continually told the radium was fine.

What these women went through, how they were lied to, and the suffering they and their families went through is astounding. It took a long time for things to be recognized. Some very strong minded women to took a stand to make the companies responsible . They knew it was too late for them but they wanted to protect others.

Truly an amazing story that I knew nothing about. Why didn't I? Who knows,  but I am thankful I know it now and I hope you may take the time to learn about this too.