#RadiumEnergyDrink #TIL #RadiumJaw
Did you know that in the 1920s, there was an energy drink on the market that contained water and flavorless Radium, a highly radioactive element? 😱 Thousands of people, like Eben Byer, suffered from “Radium Jaw” as a result of consuming this dangerous drink.
But what exactly is Radium Jaw? Well, it’s a condition that occurs when radioactive material, such as Radium, is ingested or inhaled, leading to severe damage to the jawbone. 😬 This damage can result in symptoms such as pain, swelling, and even the loss of teeth. In some cases, it can also lead to the development of cancer.
Eben Byer was one of the unfortunate victims of Radium Jaw. He consumed large quantities of a product called “Radithor,” a popular energy drink at the time. Despite experiencing severe pain and discomfort, Byer continued to consume the drink, believing it was improving his health and vitality. However, the Radium in the drink was slowly poisoning him from the inside out. The result was catastrophic, and Byer ultimately succumbed to the effects of Radium poisoning.
The shocking story of Eben Byer and others like him serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of consuming products containing radioactive materials. 🚫 It’s a stark reminder of the importance of regulating the ingredients and production of consumable products to ensure public safety.
The use of Radium in consumer products was eventually banned, but the legacy of Radium Jaw lives on as a reminder of the potential dangers of unregulated substances. It’s a sobering reminder of the need for consumer protection and safety standards in the food and beverage industry.
The case of Radium Jaw is a prime example of how seemingly innocuous products can have devastating consequences when they contain harmful or toxic substances. While Radium may have been an extreme case, it serves as a reminder to always be cautious about what we consume and to be aware of potential risks associated with the products we use.
In today’s world, there are still products on the market with potentially harmful ingredients, and it’s essential to stay informed and educated about what we are putting into our bodies. Reading labels, researching products, and staying up to date with news and information about food and beverage safety are all crucial steps in protecting ourselves from potential harm.
The story of Radium Jaw also highlights the importance of public awareness and advocacy in holding companies and regulators accountable for the safety of consumer products. By raising awareness and demanding transparency and accountability from manufacturers and regulatory agencies, we can help prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
As consumers, we have the power to influence the safety and quality of the products we use. By supporting ethical and responsible companies and advocating for stronger regulations and oversight, we can help create a safer and more transparent marketplace for all.
Ultimately, the story of Radium Jaw is a cautionary tale that reminds us to never take our health and safety for granted. We must remain vigilant and informed about the products we consume, and we must hold companies and regulators accountable for ensuring the safety and integrity of the products they produce and approve for public consumption.
The tragic consequences of Radium Jaw serve as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers that can lurk in everyday products. By learning from the mistakes of the past and striving for a more transparent and accountable marketplace, we can work towards a safer and healthier future for all. Let’s use this opportunity to educate ourselves and others about the importance of product safety, and advocate for regulations and standards that prioritize consumer well-being. Together, we can make a difference in protecting ourselves and future generations from the dangers of harmful products.
Source: https://www.cultofweird.com/medical/eben-byers-radithor-poisoning/
They also sold radium toothpaste because it killed bacteria which caused cavities.
I’ve learnt so much from Citation Needed
I love the gore warning on an article with 0 NSFW pics. There’s no pics of the guys jaw, just of the medicine bottle, him playing golf, and some ladies completely intact face.
Some Nuka-Cola shit right there
It’s an absolute wonder we’ve managed to evolve to the point of idiocy we’re in now.
Ken Griffey’s grotesquely swollen jaw..
Ok gore warning but oh my fuck????
Jaw dropping picture
Forever grateful for my chemistry education
Sounds like the poor watch painter girls and phossy jaw 😞
Now with 300% more Taurine. Makes you wonder what we’re putting in our bodies today that might not look so good in a few years.
How is this person alive? Were they able to survive off a feeding tube back then?
You should read the book The Radium Girls. Very interesting and sad book.
If you’re in the SF bay area this Thanksgiving weekend, come see Diablo Valley College’s stage production of Radium Girls!! We drink plenty of this Radithor stuff in the show!
Give a man an energy drink and he’ll be active for a day
Give a man a Radium infused energy drink and he’ll be active for the rest of his life!
What I love about this incident is that Radathor was very expensive – it was marketed to the well off. Some people started selling knock off Radithor so the hoi polloi could get in on the fun. But the fake stuff was just water. So this is the rare situation where the poor folks fared better.
>He touted Radithor as “A Cure for the Living Dead”
Their slogan was one word too long
Daaaamn homie lookin like a real life Darth Malak
This is one of many extreme examples, along with thalidomide, of why we have the USDA and the FDA.
Still better than drinking Prime.
Radium was touted as a wonder drug and was used to treat many diseases. It was seen as something that would improve your health and wellbeing and was added in things like drinks, chocolates and toothpaste to name a few. It’s very hard to source and so it was a premium product.
Check out the radium girls. It’s a very interesting but sad story about factory girls painting watch dials with radium. They were kept in the dark about the negative impacts of the stuff and were told to lip press the brushes to paint more accurately. Eventually it led to many of them falling ill in agony and fighting the company in court over it. And that company filled with nothing but their greed would try to drag the cases on for as long as possible, hoping the girls would end up dying and therefore no more case
If I could post a pic, I have an empty bottle of this nightmare fuel, safely kept under a thick glass domed display.
If this piques your interest read The Radium Girls by Kate Moore. Great read! Tragic but fascinating.
Is that how Vanilla Ice glows when you turn off the lights?
>Even though the world became aware of the terrible effects of radium poisoning, Radium-based products were still sold as late as the 1980s. One such product was the Lifestone Cigarette Holder from 1964. The smoke passed through the holder over a small radium source.
When your cigarettes don’t kill you fast enough
Even Byer (the dude in the photo)s story is actually quite sad – he was really well-off, and hit his head in a train.
Doctors treated him with the radium, which healed him very quickly. Sadly, he got addicted to the stuff, until one day, his jaw hit the floor.
“Gore Warning”
*my brother in Christ this is seared into my soul. I’m going to remember this in my next life*
There is some doubt as to the veracity of the photograph in question.
Aren’t you glad there is a governmental agency that regulates this sort of thing?
he got that guk guk