Key insights

• ⚛️ Discovery and historical uses of radium with claimed restorative properties
• ☢️ Radium's harmful radioactive effects realized in the mid-20th century
• 🎨 Other historically used pigments like white, green, and orange revealed to have detrimental effects as well
• ⚪ Ancient Greeks used lead to create white pigment
• ☠️ Lead is toxic to humans when absorbed
• ⏳ The practice continued across time and cultures
• 💚 Introduction of vibrant synthetic greens, Scheele's Green and Paris Green, in the 18th century
• 🍽️ Radiation risks from vintage fiestaware and depleted uranium

Q&A

• What are the potential health risks associated with radiation from vintage fiestaware and depleted uranium in ceramics and glass?

  Radiation from vintage fiestaware and depleted uranium in ceramics and glass may still pose health risks, which has led to warnings from the U.S. EPA. The confiscation of uranium for bomb development during World War II, relaxation of uranium restrictions in 1959, and hazardous qualities of orange dishes from the next decade have raised concerns about low but concerning levels of radioactivity in fiestaware, prompting warnings against eating off of vintage fiestaware.

• What were the historical dangers associated with green and orange colors?

  Green and orange colors were historically dangerous due to arsenic and uranium oxide usage, leading to potential health risks linked to exposure. Radium's radioactivity also made the color orange dangerous. Uranium oxide was commonly used in colored glazes for ceramic dinnerware before World War II.

• What were the health risks associated with green pigment?

  Despite the health risks associated with lead white pigment, the dangerous effects of white pigment pale in comparison to the widespread use of green pigment. Two vibrant synthetic green pigments, Scheele's Green and Paris Green, were popular in the 18th century but were made from a toxic compound called cupric hydrogen arsenic, leading to health issues and poisonings among fabric factory workers and individuals wearing green dresses.

• Why was lead white pigment popular among artists despite its harmful effects?

  Lead white pigment, despite causing lead poisoning with symptoms like palsy, melancholy, coughing, enlarged retinas, and blindness, was popular due to its density, opacity, and warm tone. It was the only practical choice for white paint until the 19th century, leading artists to grind lead into powder and expose themselves to highly toxic dust particles.

• How did the Ancient Greeks use lead and what were the consequences?

  The Ancient Greeks used lead to create white pigment, which is toxic to humans when absorbed. This practice continued until the 19th century, exposing artists to highly toxic dust particles. Lead disrupts normal functions of calcium in the nervous system, causing severe health issues when inhaled or ingested.

• What is the historical significance of radium in terms of its uses and harmful effects?

  Radium was once believed to have restorative properties and was used in various products. However, its harmful radioactive effects were realized in the mid-20th century, leading to its discontinuation. Other historically used pigments like white, green, and orange have also been revealed to have detrimental effects.

• 00:07 The historical uses of radium, once believed to have restorative properties and used in various products, revealed its harmful radioactive effects later on. Radium is not the only pigment with detrimental effects; other colors and pigments such as white, green, and orange have also been historically used in harmful ways.
• 00:53 The Ancient Greeks used lead to create white pigment, which is toxic to humans when absorbed. This practice continued until the 19th century, exposing artists to highly toxic dust particles.
• 01:40 Lead white pigment was popular among artists despite causing lead poisoning, eventually banned in the 1970s. However, the dangerous effects of white pigment pale in comparison to the widespread use of green pigment.
• 02:20 Two vibrant synthetic green pigments, Scheele's Green and Paris Green, were popular in the 18th century but were made from a toxic compound called cupric hydrogen arsenic, leading to health issues and poisonings among fabric factory workers and individuals wearing green dresses.
• 03:06 Green and orange colors were historically dangerous due to arsenic and uranium oxide usage, with potential health risks linked to exposure.
• 03:52 Radiation from vintage fiestaware and depleted uranium in ceramics and glass may still pose health risks, leading to warnings from the U.S. EPA.