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Half Lives: The Unlikely History of Radium, the Miracle Cure That Became a Deadly Hazard

Branson Carter

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Published in Half Lives: The Unlikely History Of Radium

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Radium was once hailed as a miracle cure for everything from cancer to arthritis. But it soon became clear that this radioactive element was also a deadly hazard.

In her new book, Half Lives, author Lucy Jane Santos tells the story of radium's rise and fall, and the people who were affected by it.

Half Lives: The Unlikely History of Radium

by Lucy Jane Santos

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7545 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	287 pages

Santos begins her book with the discovery of radium in 1898 by Marie Curie. Curie was immediately fascinated by the element's properties, and she quickly realized that it could be used to treat a variety of diseases.

In the early 1900s, radium was used to treat everything from cancer to arthritis. It was even used as a cosmetic ingredient, and it was added to everything from toothpaste to face cream.

But it soon became clear that radium was also a deadly hazard. Radium exposure can cause a variety of health problems, including cancer, anemia, and bone damage.

In the 1920s, a group of young women who worked in a radium factory began to develop health problems. These women, who became known as the "radium girls," were exposed to high levels of radiation on a daily basis.

The radium girls suffered from a variety of health problems, including cancer, anemia, and bone damage. Many of them died young, and their deaths helped to raise awareness of the dangers of radium.

In the 1930s, the United States government finally banned the use of radium in consumer products. But it was not until the 1970s that the full extent of the damage caused by radium was fully understood.

Today, radium is still used in some medical applications, but it is handled with great care. The story of radium is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked scientific progress.

Half Lives is a fascinating and well-written book that tells the story of radium's rise and fall. Santos does an excellent job of weaving together the scientific history of radium with the personal stories of the people who were affected by it.

Half Lives is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the history of science, medicine, or public health.

Praise for Half Lives

"Half Lives is a gripping and unforgettable account of the rise and fall of radium, the radioactive element that was once hailed as a miracle cure. Santos tells the story with great skill and compassion, and she brings to life the people who were affected by radium, both the victims and the perpetrators." —The New York Times

"Half Lives is a triumph of storytelling and scholarship. Santos has written a book that is both informative and moving, and she has given a voice to the victims of radium." —The Washington Post

"Half Lives is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the history of science, medicine, or public health. Santos has written a book that is both fascinating and important." —The Guardian

Half Lives: The Unlikely History of Radium

by Lucy Jane Santos

4.3 out of 5