Chasing the glow: Curie’s enduring radiation legacy in Paris

Michel
Jun 20
3 min read

Marie Curie seated at her desk in her office, surrounded by books and scientific papers, reflecting her role as a pioneering physicist and chemist. — Marie Curie in her office

More than 100 years after her famous discoveries, Marie Curie remains visible behind physical signs of her work not just in books, but in the very buildings where she worked in Paris. Scientists today are carefully looking for what they call her "radioactive fingerprints" tiny traces of radioactivity that are still found on surfaces like tables, doorknobs, and notebooks. These traces give us a powerful way to connect the past to the present, showing how science, history, and safety all come together in one place.[1]

The hidden cost of discovery

In 1898, Marie and Pierre Curie discovered two powerful elements: polonium and radium. Their work opened the door to modern nuclear science and made it possible to treat diseases like cancer with radiation. But at the time, scientists didn’t know how dangerous radiation could be. The Curies handled radioactive materials with their bare hands and kept them near their desks. Marie Curie’s notebooks, furniture, and even her clothes became radioactive. She later died from a disease caused by radiation exposure. Today, her belongings are still so radioactive that they are stored in lead-lined boxes, and anyone who wants to study them must wear protective clothing.[2][3]

Preserving the past, building the future

Historic black-and-white photograph of the Curie Pavilion at the Radium Institute in Paris, part of the University of Paris, showing a classical brick building with dormer windows and a central entrance. — Radium Institute – Curie Pavilion

One of the most important places connected to Marie Curie’s work is the Source Pavilion the building where she and her team prepared radium for cancer treatments. This building still contains low levels of radiation, a sign of the historic work that happened there. In 2024, it was almost torn down to make space for new labs. But thanks to protests and the work of heritage protection groups, the plan was stopped. Now, there’s a new idea: turn the Source Pavilion into a modern research center for over 100 scientists, while still keeping its historic parts.

This plan shows how we can combine history with innovation. But some people worry that changes to the building might damage its original look and its emotional value. After all, this place is where major steps in medical science were made. Saving and restoring it helps us remember where we came from, and it also inspires the next generation of scientists.

A legacy of scientific responsibility: Curie’s enduring radiation legacy

Marie Curie’s life teaches us a lot about how science must be done carefully and responsibly. Her story is at the heart of Curie’s enduring radiation legacy, which reminds us why lab safety and environmental protection are crucial. In her time, safety rules didn’t exist like they do today. Her long-term exposure to radioactive materials showed how important it is to protect scientists and the environment. Because of lessons learned from her story, today’s labs use strict safety rules, such as wearing special clothing and storing dangerous materials in sealed containers.[4]

A living inspiration in today’s research landscape

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – EU Research Programme

Marie Curie's legacy extends far beyond her discoveries it continues to shape how Europe invests in scientific talent. The Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) under Horizon Europe are named in her honor, supporting researchers across all stages of their careers. These prestigious fellowships and mobility programs promote international collaboration, interdisciplinary research, and responsible innovation. The program reflects Curie’s own spirit of scientific exploration and her belief in education without borders. By funding cutting-edge research and nurturing global talent, MSCA helps ensure that Curie’s commitment to knowledge and progress remains a cornerstone of Europe’s research ecosystem.[5]

Conclusion: Curie’s enduring radiation legacy still guides us

Marie Curie’s “radioactive fingerprints” are more than a historical curiosity. They are a lasting symbol of her dedication, her groundbreaking achievements, and the risks she took for science. Her influence reaches from early cancer treatment to today’s international research programs like MSCA. As Paris works to protect the places where she lived and worked, we are reminded that scientific progress is deeply rooted in the past. Curie’s story continues to inspire a new generation of researchers to pursue discovery with both ambition and responsibility.

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