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    "localId": "75728608",
    "label": "Letters Received to H.H. Barker, February 11, 1935",
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    "title": "Letters Received to H.H. Barker, February 11, 1935",
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        "Safety Light Collection",
        "Records Related to Radium Dial Painters"
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    "seq": 2,
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    "type": "document",
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    "ocrText": "1M 12-33 F-6\nCOUNTY OF ESSEX\nOFFICE OF CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER\nCITY HOSPITAL. NEWARK, N. J.\nFebruary 11, 1935\nMr. H.H. Barker, Vice President,\nUnited States Radium Corporation,\n535 Pearl Street, New York.\nDear Mr. Barker,\nReplying to your letter of January 29th relative to the\nhealth hazards connected with the luminous dial industry, at this\ntime my opinion would be somewhat, as follows:\nIn the past \"radium poisoning\" (the harmful effects\ncaused by absorption of small amounts of radium, mesothorium or\nother radioactive substances) in the watch dial industry was due to\nthe ingestion (swallowing) of radium salts or other radioactive\nmaterial, causing a final deposit of small amounts of radioactive\nsubstances chiefly in the bones, a process similar in many respects\nto occupational lead poisoning.\nAs soon as \"radium poisoning\" was definitely established\nand the dangers recognized, the industry developed a technic which\nabolished the pointing of brushes in the mouth and the danger of\nabsorption by the gastrointestinal tract, and even the respiratory\ntract and skin.\nRadium poisoning has, therefore, practically ceased to\nexist as an occupational disease, the various modes of exposure being\nnow well recognized, and consequently precautionary measures can be\nused.\nI see no reason, therefore, if the United States Radium\nCorporation desires to re-establish their work in the State of\nNew Jersey, and will follow the recommendations specified by the\nUnited States Public Health Service, including the medical examination\nof employees, why they should not do SO.\nThere certainly is no more hazard connected with the\napplication of luminous material to dials, using precautions which are\nnow deemed necessary, than in the average industry. If these\nprecautions are taken, health hazards are practically nil, and not\ncomparable to the dangers to the health of employees that exists in\nany industry using lead.\nYours truly\nHansun S. maritand\nHarrison S. Martland\nChief Medical Examiner"
}