Science: Death of Radium Painter

Inadvertently, by bringing a formula for making radium paint from Austria to the U. S., Sabin A. von Sochocky, physician and chemist, brought along the death that took him last week.

Radioactive dust and emanations entered his system. They attacked his bones, prevented his marrow from making red blood cells. Aplastic anemia developed. Sojourn in high altitudes and 13 blood transfusions were useless. To void the radium that was in him would require, he once figured, 3,520 years. But eight years was all that he lived after he discovered what was wrong...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!