Radium Water’s Deadly Glow
The 1920s saw wealthy Americans flocking to radium water spas, believing radioactive drinks would boost their health and vitality. This dangerous fad killed many customers, including wealthy industrialist Eben Byers, whose jaw literally fell apart. The public outcry over these deaths helped establish the Food and Drug Administration. Scientists later harnessed radiation’s power safely, creating valuable medical imaging tools and cancer treatments.
