The Radium Girls

The video discusses the story of Mae Keane, one of the last Radium Girls, who worked with radium in the early 20th century. It covers the discovery of radium by Marie and Pierre Curie, its initial medical uses, and its incorporation into consumer products. The video highlights the development of glow-in-the-dark paint and the severe health effects experienced by workers, leading to legal actions. The Radium Girls' story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of new technologies.

Who were the Radium Girls?

• Young female factory workers exposed to radium

• Women who invented glow-in-the-dark paint

• A group of scientists who discovered radium

• A team of doctors using radium for cancer treatment

What did Marie and Pierre Curie discover about radium?

• It could shrink cancerous tumors

• It was a new type of metal

• It was not radioactive

• It was a safe element for consumption

What was a common misconception about radium in the early 1900s?

• It was only used in scientific research

• It was harmful in any amount

• It was a cure-all for various ailments

• It could not be used in consumer products

Why was radium paint particularly dangerous for the workers?

• It was used in large quantities

• It was mixed with toxic chemicals

• It was ingested due to unsafe practices

• It was applied directly to the skin

What legal action did the Radium Girls take?

• They filed a lawsuit for damages and medical expenses

• They sued for better working conditions

• They requested more radium for personal use

• They demanded higher wages