The Glowing Radium Girls

In this episode of The Forgotten Files: Untold History, we uncover the harrowing story of the Radium Girls—young women who unknowingly poisoned themselves while painting luminous watch dials in the early 20th century. As their health deteriorated, they fought a groundbreaking legal battle that changed workplace safety forever. Their struggle against corporate negligence led to landmark labor protections that still impact workers today. Join me as we explore their tragic yet powerful legacy, the science behind radium’s deadly effects, and the parallels to other workplace disasters throughout history.