INDUSTRIAL POISONING

FROM FUMES, GASES AND POISONS
OF MANUFACTURING PROCESSES

BY THE SAME AUTHOR

LEAD POISONING
AND LEAD ABSORPTION:

THE SYMPTOMS, PATHOLOGY AND PREVENTION, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THEIR INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN AND AN ACCOUNT OF THE PRINCIPAL PROCESSES INVOLVING RISK.

By THOMAS M. LEGGE M.D. (Oxon.), D.P.H. (Cantab.), H.M. Medical Inspector of Factories; Lecturer on Factory Hygiene, University of Manchester; and KENNETH W. GOADBY, D.P.H. (Cantab.), Pathologist and Lecturer on Bacteriology, National Dental Hospital. Illustrated. viii+308 pp. 12s. 6d. net.

London: EDWARD ARNOLD.

INDUSTRIAL POISONING

FROM FUMES, GASES AND POISONS
OF MANUFACTURING PROCESSES

BY
DR. J. RAMBOUSEK
PROFESSOR OF FACTORY HYGIENE,
AND CHIEF STATE HEALTH OFFICER, PRAGUE

TRANSLATED AND EDITED BY
THOMAS M. LEGGE, M.D., D.P.H.
H.M. MEDICAL INSPECTOR OF FACTORIES
JOINT AUTHOR OF ‘LEAD POISONING AND LEAD ABSORPTION’

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS

LONDON
EDWARD ARNOLD
1913

TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE

I undertook the translation of Dr. Rambousek’s book because it seemed to me to treat the subject of industrial poisons in as novel, comprehensive, and systematic a manner as was possible within the compass of a single volume. Having learnt much myself from Continental writings on industrial diseases and factory hygiene, I was anxious to let others also see how wide a field they had covered and how thorough were the regulations for dangerous trades abroad, especially in Germany. A praiseworthy feature of Dr. Rambousek’s book was the wealth of references to the work of foreign writers which is made on almost every page. To have left these names and references, however, in the text as he has done would have made the translation tedious reading, and therefore for the sake of those who desire to pursue inquiry further I have adopted the course of collecting the great majority and placing them all together in an appendix at the end of the volume.

Dr. Rambousek as a medical man, a chemist, and a government official having control of industrial matters, is equipped with the very special knowledge required to describe the manufacturing processes giving rise to injurious effects, the pathology of the lesions set up, and the preventive measures necessary to combat them. In his references to work done in this country he has relied largely on abstracts which have appeared in medical and technical journals published on the Continent. I have only thought it necessary to amplify his statements when important work carried out here on industrial poisoning,—such as that on nickel carbonyl and on ferro-silicon—had been insufficiently noted. Such additions are introduced in square brackets or in footnotes.

In his preface Dr. Rambousek says ‘the book is intended for all who are, or are obliged to be, or ought to be, interested in industrial poisoning.’ No words could better describe the scope of the book.

The work of translation would never have been begun but for the assistance given me in Parts II and III by my sister, Miss H. Edith Legge. To her, and to Mr. H. E. Brothers, F.I.C., who has been to the trouble of reading the proofs and correcting many mistakes which my technical knowledge was insufficient to enable me to detect, my best thanks are due.

I am indebted to Messrs. Davidson & Co., Belfast, for permission to use figs. 46 and 48; to Messrs. Locke, Lancaster & Co., Millwall, for fig. 27; to Mr. R. Jacobson, for figs. 30, 33, 37, 38, and 43; to Messrs. Siebe, Gorman & Co., for figs. 32, 39, and 40; to Messrs. Blackman & Co. for fig. 47; to Messrs. Matthews & Yates for fig. 54; to H.M. Controller of the Stationery Office for permission to reproduce figs. 52, 53, and 54, and the diagrams on p. 284; and lastly to my publisher, for figs. 41, 42, 43, and 49, which are taken from the book by Dr. K. W. Goadby and myself on ‘Lead Poisoning and Lead Absorption.’

T. M. L.

Hampstead, May 1913.

CONTENTS

PAGE
Introduction[xiii]
Part I.—Description of the industries and processes attended with risk of poisoning: incidence of such poisoning
Chemical Industry[1]
Sulphuric acid industry (sulphur dioxide): use of sulphuric acid[4]
Its effects on health[9]
Hydrochloric acid, saltcake and soda industry[14]
Their effects on health[20]
Use of sulphate and sulphide of soda[22]
Ultramarine[22]
Sulphonal[22]
Diethyl sulphate[23]
Chlorine, chloride of lime and chlorates[23]
Their effect on health[26]
Other chlorine compounds and their use as well as bromine, iodine and fluorine[29]
Chlorides of phosphorus[30]
Chlorides of sulphur[31]
Zinc chloride[32]
Rock salt[32]
Organic chlorine compounds[32]
Carbon oxychloride (phosgene)[32]
Carbon chlorine compounds (aliphatic)[33]
Methyl chloride[33]
Methylene chloride[34]
Carbon tetrachloride[34]
Ethyl chloride[34]
Monochloracetic acid[34]
Chloral[34]
Chloroform[34]
Chloride of nitrogen[35]
Cyanogen chloride[35]
Chlorobenzene[35]
Benzo trichloride, benzyl chloride[35]
Nitro- and dinitro-chlorobenzene[35]
Iodine and iodine compounds[36]
Bromine and bromine compounds[36]
Methyl iodide and methyl bromide[36]
Fluorine compounds[37]
Hydrofluoric and silicofluoric acids[38]
Manufacture and uses of nitric acid[39]
Its effect on health[40]
Nitric and nitrous salts and compounds[44]
Barium nitrate[44]
Ammonium nitrate[44]
Lead nitrate[44]
Mercurous and mercuric nitrate[44]
Silver nitrate[45]
Sodium nitrite[45]
Amyl nitrite[45]
Manufacture of explosives and their effects[45]
Fulminate of mercury[46]
Nitro-glycerin[46]
Dynamite[47]
Gun cotton[48]
Collodion cotton, smokeless powder[48]
Manufacture of phosphorus and lucifer matches and their effects[49]
Other uses of phosphorus and compounds of phosphorus[52]
Phosphor-bronze[52]
Sulphide of phosphorus[52]
Phosphoretted hydrogen[52]
Superphosphate and artificial manure[53]
Basic slag[54]
Chromium compounds and their uses[55]
Sodium and potassium bichromate[55]
Lead chromate and chrome colours[55]
Their effect on health[56]
Manganese compounds and their effects[58]
Mineral oil industry and the use of petroleum and benzine[59]
Chemical cleaning[61]
Their effect on health[61]
Recovery and use of sulphur[64]
Its effect on health[65]
Sulphuretted hydrogen and its effect[65]
Preparation and use of carbon bisulphide in vulcanising, &c.[68]
Its effect on health[69]
Preparation of illuminating gas[71]
Its effect on health[74]
Coke ovens and risk from them[77]
Other kinds of power and illuminating gas[80]
Producer gas[80]
Blast furnace gas[82]
Water gas[82]
Dowson and Mond gas[82]
Suction gas[83]
Acetylene (calcium carbide)[85]
Their effect on health[87]
Ammonia and ammonium compounds[90]
Use of ammonia and its effects[92]
Cyanogen compounds[93]
Use of cyanide, and their effects[95]
Coal tar and tar products[96]
Their effects on health[101]
Artificial organic dye stuffs (coal tar colours)[107]
Their effects on health[112]
Recovery and use of metals[120]
Lead poisoning in general[120]
Lead, silver and zinc smelting[122]
Spelter works[125]
Lead poisoning in lead smelting and spelter works[126]
White lead and other use of lead colours[131]
Lead poisoning in the manufacture and use of white lead and lead paints[132]
Manufacture of electric accumulators[134]
The ceramic industry[135]
Coarse ware pottery[136]
Manufacture of stove tiles[137]
Stoneware and porcelain[138]
Lead poisoning in letterpress printing[138]
Lead poisoning in filecutting, polishing precious stones, musical instrument making, &c.[140]
Mercury (poisoning in its recovery and use)[141]
Mercurial poisoning in water-gilding, coating mirrors, in felt hat making, &c.[142]
Arsenic (poisoning in its recovery and in use of arsenic and arsenic compounds)[143]
Recovery of arsenic and white arsenic[143]
Poisoning by arseniuretted hydrogen gas[145]
Antimony[146]
Extraction of iron[146]
Ferro-silicon[149]
Zinc[151]
Copper, brass (brassfounders’ ague)[151]
Metal pickling[152]
Other Industries[153]
Treatment of stone and earths; lime burning, glass[153]
Treatment of animal products[154]
Preparation of vegetable foodstuffs[154]
Poisonous woods[154]
Textile industry[156]
Part II.—Pathology and treatment of industrial poisoning
Industrial poisons in general[157]
Channels of absorption, classification, susceptibility, immunity[158]
Fate of poisons in the body—absorption, cumulative action, excretion[162]
General remarks on treatment[163]
Industrial poisons in particular[169]
Group: mineral acids, halogens, inorganic halogen compounds, alkalis[169]
Hydrochloric acid[170]
Hydrofluoric and silico-fluoric acids[171]
Sulphur dioxide and sulphuric acid[171]
Nitrous fumes, nitric acid[172]
Chlorine, bromine, iodine[173]
Chlorides of phosphorus, sulphur and zinc[174]
Ammonia[175]
Alkalis[176]
Group: Metals and metal-compounds[176]
Lead and its compounds[177]
Zinc and its alloys[182]
Mercury and its compounds[183]
Manganese and its compounds[184]
Chromium and its compounds[185]
Nickel salts (nickel carbonyl)[186]
Copper[188]
Silver and its compounds[188]
Group: Arsenic, Phosphorus[189]
Arsenic and its oxides[189]
Phosphorus[190]
Phosphoretted hydrogen[191]
Group: Sulphuretted hydrogen, carbon bisulphide, and cyanogen (nerve poisons)[192]
Sulphuretted hydrogen[192]
Carbon bisulphide[193]
Cyanogen compounds[195]
Group: Arseniuretted hydrogen and carbonic oxide (blood poisons)[197]
Group: Hydrocarbons of the aliphatic and aromatic series and their halogen and hydroxyl substitution products[202]
Sub-group: Hydrocarbons of mineral oils and their distillation products (benzine, paraffin, &c.)[202]
Sub-group: Hydrocarbons of the aromatic series[204]
Benzene and its homologues[204]
Naphthalene[208]
Sub-group: Halogen substitution products of the aliphatic series (narcotic poisons)[208]
Sub-group: Halogen substitution products of the benzene series[209]
Sub-group: Hydroxyl substitution products of the fatty series[210]
Group: Nitro- and amido-derivatives of the aliphatic and aromatic series[211]
Sub-group: Nitro-derivatives of the aliphatic series[212]
Sub-group: Nitro- and amido-derivatives of the aromatic series[212]
Turpentine, pyridene, alkaloids, nicotine, poisonous woods[215]
Part III.—Preventive measures against industrial poisoning
General preventive measures[217]
International action, notification of poisoning, schedules of poisons[218]
Special preventive measures for workers—selection, periodical medical examination, co-operation of workers, &c.[226]
Rescue appliances[230]
Washing accommodation and baths[237]
Removal of dust and fumes by exhaust ventilation[242]
Preventive Measures in Particular Industries[256]
Sulphuric acid industry[256]
Hydrochloric acid and soda industries[257]
Chlorine, bleaching powder, chlorine compounds[259]
Manufacture of nitric acid and explosives[260]
Artificial manures, basic slag[261]
Chromium and its compounds[265]
Petroleum, benzine[267]
Phosphorus, lucifer matches[268]
Bisulphide of carbon[271]
Illuminating gas, tar production[275]
Gas power plant[276]
Acetylene gas installations[278]
Ammonia[279]
Cyanogen, cyanogen compounds[280]
Coal tar, tar products[280]
Organic dye-stuffs, coal tar colours[285]
Recovery and use of metals[288]
Iron[289]
Lead[292]
Lead smelting[299]
Electric accumulators[305]
White lead and lead colours[310]
Letterpress printing[316]
Ceramic industry[319]
File cutting[321]
Other uses of lead[322]
Zinc smelting[323]
Brass casting, metal pickling[325]
Recovery and use of mercury[326]
Arsenic and its compounds[328]
Gold and silver[329]
Preventive Measures in other trades[329]
Manufacture and use of varnishes[330]
Production of vegetable foods[332]
Wood working[335]
Paper manufacture[336]
Textile industries[336]
Appendix[339]
Index[355]

INTRODUCTION

The attempt to systematise from the scientific standpoint the mass of material that has been collected about poisons is a very heavy task, even for the toxicologist who desires to treat his subject comprehensively. How much greater is the difficulty of writing a systematic book on industrial poisoning keeping practical application in the forefront!

Technical considerations which are decisive in the causation and prevention of industrial poisoning are here of especial moment, and must naturally influence classification of the subject-matter when the object is to assist those concerned in factory hygiene.

Bearing this in mind, I have divided the subject into three parts. The arrangement of the first, which gives as complete a statement as possible of the occurrence of industrial poisoning, into industries and processes was determined on technical grounds. The second, which amplifies the first, attempts to summarise the pathology or symptoms of the various forms of poisoning. The references to the literature of the particular subjects—as exhaustive as I could make them—will lighten further study. To these two parts, following on knowledge of causation and symptoms, the third, in which preventive measures are outlined, is linked.

The apparent drawback in use of the book is that one form of poisoning has often to be referred to in three places. But, I hope, this is more than counterbalanced by the completeness of the scheme which results from the subdivision of the subject.

The pathology of industrial poisoning necessitates frequent repetition when describing the branches of industry giving rise to the intoxication, as one and the same form can occur in the most varied processes. The numerous instances of actual cases of poisoning quoted must therefore be regarded as conforming to the same pathological type. Similarly, preventive measures require separate systematic treatment in order to avoid constant repetition which would otherwise obscure the general survey. Quite a number of means of prevention apply equally to several industries in which the same cause is at work. The success attained by thus simplifying the issues is the greater because such common measures are the easier to carry through and to supervise.

The method therefore has been adopted only after serious reflection and has been directed mainly by practical considerations.

Recent cases which have either been reported or come to the knowledge of the author have been given, with particulars as exact as possible. Cases dating back some time have been omitted intentionally so as to exclude everything which did not correspond with the present conditions of industry and trade. Historical facts only receive consideration in so far as they are fundamentally important and necessary for the sake of completeness.

The details given in Part I of actual instances will supply material for fresh efforts, renewed investigation, and new points of attack.