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The Ottawa, Illinois Radium Girls: The Story That Changed Worker Safety
Description
Ottawa, Illinois Told Women to Lick Radioactive Paint
At first glance, Ottawa, Illinois is a quiet river town with historic streets and small-town charm. But beneath that peaceful image lies the story of one of the most shocking industrial disasters in American history.
In this episode of Yore Town, Matt and Megh explore the rise of the radium dial industry, the young women who were instructed to "lip, dip, paint" glowing watch dials, and the devastating health effects they unknowingly suffered after being exposed to radioactive paint.
You'll hear the remarkable story of Katherine Donahue, whose determination helped expose the truth and forever changed the way occupational diseases were recognized in American workplaces.
In this episode:
Why radium was once considered a scientific miracle
How watch dial painters were unknowingly poisoned
The tragic reality of "radium jaw"
Katherine Donahue's historic legal battle
Why radioactive contamination remained in Ottawa for decades
How this forgotten story changed worker safety laws in the United States
If you enjoy forgotten history, small-town mysteries, and the strange, dark, and unbelievable true stories of real places, be sure to follow Yore Town for new episodes every week.
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