The Radium Girls

The Radium Girls

From The Strange and Unusual Podcast by Alyson Horrocks | Morbid Network

January 21, 2026 · 47 min · Episode 114

About this episode

This episode explores the tragic story of the Radium Girls and the health impacts of their work with radium-laced paint.

In this episode, we examine the haunting true story of the Radium Girls, the young women in the early 20th century hired to paint luminous watch dials with radium-laced paint. Believing their employers' assurances that their work was safe , these dial painters were unknowingly exposed to toxic radiation. We'll go through their devastating health consequences, including a condition later called “radium jaw” .

People in this episode

Host: Alyson Horrocks

Topics covered

  • true crime
  • history
  • health consequences
  • toxic exposure
  • women's rights

Keywords

  • Radium Girls
  • toxic radiation
  • radium jaw
  • watch dials
  • early 20th century

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Morbid Network

Places: early 20th century

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