Video: Deadly beautiful or shocking facts of the use of radium in cosmetics and other industries in the 20th century
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
Each scientific discovery was considered at all times a real breakthrough for humanity. But, unfortunately, not all of them were useful to people at first. So at the beginning of the 20th century, radium was considered a "medicine" for all diseases and from all sides a useful substance. The medical, food, cosmetic and industrial sectors have speculated on the popularity of this miracle cure. However, as often happens, over the course of time, people felt the dire consequences of using this radioactive element.
In the 40-50s, the popularity of brand cosmetics "Tho-radia" just went off scale. Manufacturers offered ladies creams, lipsticks, blush, which included radium bromide and thorium chloride. It was believed that radiation supposedly smoothes wrinkles, nourishes the skin, and slows down aging. In general, the same slogans that are used to this day.
Other companies have also tried to capitalize on the popularity of radioactivity. Some added radium to oil, others to water, and still others to toothpaste. Everyone wanted their smile to be dazzling in the literal sense. Only one side effect was not mentioned: the urine of people was also glowing.
Another fact that received widespread publicity was the use of the trademark Undark phosphorescent paint with the addition of radium for coloring the dials on watches. The girls working in this production were producing 250 units a day. To make it easier to paint the dials, after dipping brushes in radium, the workers licked them with their tongues.
Naturally, the negative effect was not long in coming. Between 1917 and 1926, the firm employed about 70 women. And by 1927, 50 of them had died from paint poisoning. There is a known case when, after a visit to the dentist, instead of one tooth, the woman's entire jaw was removed. The workers are said to have been so contaminated that the Geiger counter still rolls over their graves.
In our time, the danger of receiving a dose of radiation has not disappeared anywhere. Suffice it to recall the tragic events of the accident at the Japanese nuclear power plant at the Fukushima station. In this regard, the creative association Luzinterruptus has created an installation dedicated to the nuclear theme, called Radioactive Control.
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