The deadliest pigments in history - J. V.

Maranto
In 1898, Marie and Pierre Curie discovered radium. Claimed to have restorative
properties,
radium was added to toothpaste, medicine, water, and food.
A glowing, luminous green, it was also used in beauty products and jewelry.

It wasn't until the mid-20th century we realized that radium's harmful effects as a
radioactive element outweighed its visual benefits.
Unfortunately, radium isn't the only pigment that historically seemed harmless or
useful but turned out to be deadly. That lamentable distinction includes a trio of
colors and pigments that we've long used to decorate ourselves and the things we
make: white, green, and orange.

Our story begins with white. As far back as the 4th century BCE, the Ancient Greeks
treated lead to make the brilliant white pigment we know today. The problem?
In humans, lead is directly absorbed into the body and distributed to the blood, soft
tissues, and mineralized tissues. Once in the nervous system, lead mimics and
disrupts the normal functions of calcium, causing damages ranging from learning
disabilities to high blood pressure. Lead White Yet the practice of using this toxic
pigment continued across time and cultures. Lead white was the only practical
choice for white oil or tempera paint until the 19th century. To make their paint,
artists would grind a block of lead into powder, exposing highly toxic dust particles.
The pigment's liberal use resulted in what was known as painter's colic,
or what we'd now call lead poisoning. Artists who worked with lead complained Of
palseys, melancholy, coughing, enlarged retinas, and even blindness.
But lead white's density, opacity, and warm tone were irresistible to artists like
Vermeer, and later, the Impressionists. Its glow couldn't be matched, and the
pigment continued to be widely used until it was banned in the 1970s.

As bad as all that sounds, white's dangerous effects pale in comparison

to another, more wide-spread pigment, green. Two synthetic greens called Scheele's
Green and Paris Green were first introduced in the 18th century. They were far more
vibrant and flashy than the relatively dull greens made from natural pigments, so
they quickly became popular choices for paint as well as dye for textiles, wallpaper,
soaps, cake decorations, toys, candy, and clothing.
These green pigments were made from a compound called cupric hydrogen arsenic.
In humans, exposure to arsenic can damage the way cells communicate and
function.
And high levels of arsenic have been directly linked to cancer and heart disease.
As a result, 18th century fabric factory workers were often poisoned, and women in
green dresses reportedly collapsed from exposure to arsenic on their skin.
Bed bugs were rumored not to live in green rooms, and it's even been speculated
that Napoleon died from slow arsenic poisoning from sleeping in his green
wallpapered bedroom.
The intense toxicity of these green stayed under wraps until the arsenic recipe was
published in 1822. And a century later, it was repurposed as an insecticide.
Synthetic green was probably the most dangerous color in widespread use, but at
least it didn't share radium's property of radioactivity.

Another color did, though - orange.

Orange Before World War II, it was common for manufacturers of ceramic
dinnerware to use uranium oxide in colored glazes. The compound produced brilliant
reds and oranges, which were appealing attributes, if not for the radiation they
emitted. Of course, radiation was something we were unaware of until the late
1800s, let alone the associated cancer risks, which we discovered much later.
During World War II, the U.S. government confiscated all uranium for use in bomb
development. However, the atomic energy commission relaxed these restrictions in
1959, and depleted uranium returned to ceramics and glass factory floors. Orange
dishes made during the next decade may still have some hazardous qualities on
their surfaces to this day. Most notably, vintage fiestaware reads positive for
radioactivity.
And while the levels are low enough that they don't officially pose a health risk if
they're on a shelf, the U.S. EPA warns against eating food off of them.

Though we still occasionally run into issues with synthetic food dyes, our scientific
understanding has helped us prune hazardous colors out of our lives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKfjHTk8KrY&t=13s

VOCABULARY:

Marie and Pierre Curie [məˈri ənd piˈɛr kjuˈri] - Marie and Pierre Curie were
pioneering scientists known for their research on radioactivity and the discovery of
radium and polonium.
radium [ˈreɪdiəm] - A radioactive element that Marie and Pierre Curie discovered,
known for its glowing properties.

restorative [rɪˈstɔrətɪv] - Something that has the ability to restore or renew health,
vitality, or strength.

glowing [ˈɡloʊɪŋ] - Emitting a steady, radiant light or warmth.

jewelry [ˈdʒuːəlri] - Personal adornments made of precious metals and gemstones,

often worn as accessories.

harmful [ˈhɑːrmfəl] - Causing damage, injury, or negative effects.

outweighed [aʊtˈweɪd] - Exceeded in importance, value, or significance.

BCE [ˌbiː siː ˈiː] - Abbreviation for "Before Common Era," used to denote years in
history before the start of the Common Era (similar to BC).

lead [liːd] - A heavy metal element that can be toxic when ingested or absorbed by
the body.

tissues [ˈtɪʃuːz] - Groups of cells that work together to perform specific functions in
the body.

disrupts [dɪsˈrʌpts] - Interrupts or causes disorder or disturbance.

mimics [ˈmɪmɪks] - Imitates or resembles closely.In the context of the text, the word
"mimics" means that lead, when it enters the nervous system, imitates or behaves in
a way that is similar to calcium.

damages [ˈdæmɪdʒɪz] - Harms or injures something or someone.

ranging [ˈreɪndʒɪŋ] - Extending over a variety or range of values or conditions.

Lead White [liːd waɪt] - A type of white pigment used in painting, which contains
lead.

palsies [ˈpælziz] - A medical condition characterized by paralysis or loss of muscle

control.

melancholy [ˈmɛlənˌkɑli] - A feeling of deep sadness or sorrow.

coughing [ˈkɒfɪŋ] - The act of expelling air from the lungs with a sudden, audible
release, often due to irritation.

enlarged retinas [ɪnˈlɑrdʒd ˈrɛtɪnəs] - The light-sensitive inner lining of the eye that
has increased in size.

Vermeer [vərˈmɪr] - Johannes Vermeer was a Dutch painter known for his exquisite
use of light and color in his artworks.

Girl with a Pearl Earring

Impressionists [ɪmˈprɛʃənɪsts] - A group of 19th-century artists who created

artworks focusing on capturing the impression of a scene or moment rather than
precise details.

flashy [ˈflæʃi] - Attracting attention with a showy or ostentatious appearance.

dull [dʌl] - Lacking brightness, shine, or interest; not exciting or vivid.

cupric hydrogen arsenic [ˈkjuːprɪk haɪˈdrɒdʒən ˈɑrsnɪk] - A chemical compound

containing copper, hydrogen, and arsenic.

disease [dɪˈziːz] - A medical condition or disorder that impairs normal bodily

functions.

widespread [ˈwaɪdˌsprɛd] - Existing or occurring over a large area or among many

people.

dinnerware [ˈdɪnərˌwɛr] - Dishes, plates, and utensils used for serving and eating
food.

glazes [ɡleɪzɪz] - A smooth, glass-like coating applied to ceramics or pottery for

decorative or protective purposes.
appealing [əˈpiːlɪŋ] - Attractive or pleasing to the senses or to one's emotions.

depleted [dɪˈpliːtɪd] - Reduced or emptied of a resource, such as energy or nutrients.

hazardous [ˈhæzərdəs] - Involving risks or dangers.

fiestaware [ˈfiːstwɛr] - A brand of colorful ceramic dinnerware.

issues [ˈɪʃuːz] - Problems or topics of concern.

Prune: Noun (Food): A prune is a dried plum. Prunes are often eaten as a snack or
used in cooking and baking. They are known for their sweet taste and are also valued
for their potential health benefits, particularly for digestive health.

Verb (Horticulture): To prune means to trim or cut back branches, stems, or other
parts of a plant, typically to promote its growth, remove dead or overgrown
portions, or shape it for aesthetic or functional purposes. Pruning is a
common practice in gardening and horticulture.