A TRAGEDY OF INNOCENCE: Unaware of their peril, these technicians engaged in purifying radium are leaning, without protection, over open dishes of radium salts. They are unknowingly getting dangerous doses of radiation which, after a continued exposure over many years, will cause irreparable damage. Similar exposure by radium watch-dial painters during World War I caused at least 40 deaths.

Jerry Proc writes: While discussing the dangers of radium paint used in WWII radios, I found this photo in a 1963 text titled 'Matter'. It really underscores the point. It's actually scary!

Photo Credit: 'MATTER' - Life Science Library, Time Inc, N.Y. 1963