Marie Curie Death Anniversary: It was on this day (July 4) in 1934 that the world bid farewell to Marie Skłodowska Curie, the pioneering physicist and chemist whose groundbreaking work in radioactivity earned her two Nobel Prizes and forever changed the landscape of science.
Marie Curie was 66 when she died of aplastic anaemia, believed to have been caused by her extensive exposure to high levels of radiation because of the same work that earned her the Nobel for Physics and Chemisty in 1903 and 1911, respectively.
Aplastic anemia is a serious condition that is characterised by the failure of the bone marrow to produce adequate blood cells. The dangers of prolonged exposure to radioactive materials were not well understood at the time, according to reports.
The amount of radiation she had been exposed to for years can be gauged by the fact that a notebook she used in her laboratory between 1899 and 1902 continues to be radioactive, even 90 years after her death.
Sharing the image on social media, the official Nobel Prize handles said the notebook will remain radioactive for 1,500 years.
Marie Curie, The Trailblazer In Science
Marie Curie was born in Warsaw (Poland) in 1867. Her curiosity and dedication to science led her to Paris, where she studied at the Sorbonne. As mentioned on the Nobel Prize website, it was the France capital where she met her future husband and scientific collaborator, Pierre Curie. Their journey together would result in the discovery of polonium and radium, two entirely new elements.
In 1903, Marie and Pierre Curie, along with Henri Becquerel, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their joint research on radiation phenomena.
In 1911, she went on to win her second Nobel Prize, this time in Chemistry, for her work in isolating pure radium and studying its properties.
She is the only laureate so far who has won Nobels in two different fields of science.
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The Cost Of Marie Curie’s Pioneering Research
Marie Curie's work came at a great personal cost.
Her constant exposure to radioactive materials led to severe health issues. By the early 1930s, Marie was suffering from aplastic anemia, which is now understood to be caused by her extensive exposure to high levels of radiation.
Marie Curie passed away in the Sancellemoz Sanatorium in Passy, France, on July 4, 1934.
In his book, “The Age of Radiance: The Epic Rise and Dramatic Fall of the Atomic Era”, historian Craig Nelson wrote that Curie’s doctor had concluded that her “bone marrow could not react probably because it had been injured by a long accumulation of radiations”, according to a Livescience.com report.
Marie Curie's work laid the foundation for the development of X-ray machines and cancer treatments, revolutionising medical practices.
Not only her notebook, but much of Curie's personal belongings, including clothes and furniture, have remained contaminated with radium 226 even after more than 100 years, according to reports.
Radium 226 is said to have a half life of around 1,600 years.
Curie's notebooks are considered national and scientific treasures, and are kept in a Paris library, the Bibliotheque National, in boxes lined with lead. The library allows visitors to view Curie's notes, but they are reportedly asked to sign a liability waiver. The visitors are also given protective gear to wear.
In fact, at the time of her death, Curie's body was radioactive too, and hence her coffin was lined with nearly one inch of lead, which is considered very effective at reducing the exposure from gamma rays and x-rays due to its high density.
Her remains are interred in the Panthéon in Paris. She is the first woman to be honoured at the memorial — a historic monument that now serves as a mausoleum containing the remains of distinguished French citizens.