11
2.3 Radioactive Era
Although the use of uranium compounds in glass and porcelain products continued
well into the first decades of the twentieth century, Jáchymov’s future was dramatically changed by the discovery of radioactivity by Henri Becquerel in 1896 and
especially by the discovery of radium and polonium in 1898 by M.e CurieSklodowska and her husband, P. Curie. In fact, H. Becquerel was at one time the
teacher of Marie Sklodowska when she came from her native Poland to Paris to
study physics and mathematics. These three scientists made their discoveries when
experimenting with unprocessed uranium ore (pitchblende) brought from Jáchymov.
Radium was considered to be a miracle substance able to cure cancer and to be
used in many other medical applications, where it was believed to have magical
curative effects. Since the extraction of radium from uranium ore was extremely
complicated and hard work, its price skyrocketed up to US$ 120,000 for a single
gramme (approximately US$ 2.2 million in today’s values) in the first two decades
of the twentieth century. In the late 1930s, however, the price fell dramatically.
Figure 9 shows some uses of radium as ingredients added to various substances
and even to water and foodstuffs. It was promoted as a cure for most diseases or
conditions.
Fortunately, the concentration of radium or its amounts in these materials or
water was relatively low, which in most cases resulted in exposures to persons below
the threshold level for deterministic biological effects (tissue reactions). This was
why, for some time, no deleterious consequences had been noticed. The doses
received by users were rather low, but sufficiently high compared with the current
radiation protection requirements and the limits set by regulatory authorities for the
public in accordance with international standards. In general, such applications of
radioactive sources would now be found unjustified and thus forbidden.
The Jáchymov radioactive spa was founded in 1906, when very small-scale private baths were put into operation. At that time there were only small baths. Miners
had to bring radioactive water in wooden buckets. Radioactive water baths have
been in use since 1906 in Jáchymov and, only later, from 1912 in Bad Brambach
Fig. 9 Examples of various applications of radium promising miraculous effects or cures
Uranium in the Beginning of the Nuclear Age: Reflections on the Historical Role…
2.3 Radioactive Era
Although the use of uranium compounds in glass and porcelain products continued
well into the first decades of the twentieth century, Jáchymov’s future was dramatically changed by the discovery of radioactivity by Henri Becquerel in 1896 and
especially by the discovery of radium and polonium in 1898 by M.e CurieSklodowska and her husband, P. Curie. In fact, H. Becquerel was at one time the
teacher of Marie Sklodowska when she came from her native Poland to Paris to
study physics and mathematics. These three scientists made their discoveries when
experimenting with unprocessed uranium ore (pitchblende) brought from Jáchymov.
Radium was considered to be a miracle substance able to cure cancer and to be
used in many other medical applications, where it was believed to have magical
curative effects. Since the extraction of radium from uranium ore was extremely
complicated and hard work, its price skyrocketed up to US$ 120,000 for a single
gramme (approximately US$ 2.2 million in today’s values) in the first two decades
of the twentieth century. In the late 1930s, however, the price fell dramatically.
Figure 9 shows some uses of radium as ingredients added to various substances
and even to water and foodstuffs. It was promoted as a cure for most diseases or
conditions.
Fortunately, the concentration of radium or its amounts in these materials or
water was relatively low, which in most cases resulted in exposures to persons below
the threshold level for deterministic biological effects (tissue reactions). This was
why, for some time, no deleterious consequences had been noticed. The doses
received by users were rather low, but sufficiently high compared with the current
radiation protection requirements and the limits set by regulatory authorities for the
public in accordance with international standards. In general, such applications of
radioactive sources would now be found unjustified and thus forbidden.
The Jáchymov radioactive spa was founded in 1906, when very small-scale private baths were put into operation. At that time there were only small baths. Miners
had to bring radioactive water in wooden buckets. Radioactive water baths have
been in use since 1906 in Jáchymov and, only later, from 1912 in Bad Brambach
Fig. 9 Examples of various applications of radium promising miraculous effects or cures
Uranium in the Beginning of the Nuclear Age: Reflections on the Historical Role…