Who Were the Radium Girls? Meet the 5 Pioneering Factory Workers

Discover the tragic story of the Radium Girls, five brave women who fought for safety standards after suffering from radiation poisoning.

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The Radium Girls were a group of five factory workers: Grace Fryer, Edna Hussman, Katherine Schaub, and sisters Albina and Quinta Maggia. They worked with radium-laced paint in the 1920s. Their employer's negligence led to severe health issues, including radiation poisoning. Their lawsuit resulted in improved occupational safety standards and regulations around the handling of radioactive materials.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What happened to the Radium Girls? The Radium Girls suffered severe health issues due to radiation exposure while working with radium-laced paint in factories during the 1920s.
  2. Why are the Radium Girls important? They played a crucial role in raising awareness about workplace safety and contributed to the establishment of stricter regulations concerning toxic materials.
  3. Who were the five main Radium Girls? The five Radium Girls include Grace Fryer, Edna Hussman, Katherine Schaub, and sisters Albina and Quinta Maggia.
  4. What did the lawsuit by the Radium Girls achieve? Their lawsuit resulted in improved occupational safety standards and regulations regarding the handling of radioactive materials.

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To learn more about the impact of the Radium Girls on labor rights and safety regulations, check out our related content on occupational health history and other influential activists.

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