The fumes given off in the preparation of hydrofluoric acid require to be collected in leaden coolers and vessels; that which escapes requires to be absorbed by a water spray in towers. The apparatus must be impervious and kept under a slight negative pressure.
Chromium Compounds
(See also pp. [55-8] and [185])
The German Imperial Decree, dated May 16, 1907, contains the preventive measures necessary in bichromate factories. According to this, workers suffering from ulceration of the skin (chrome holes, eczema) are not to be employed except on a medical certificate that they are free from such affections, and daily examination for signs of ulceration is enjoined, so that those affected may receive prompt treatment. Further, periodical medical examination of the workers is required at monthly intervals. Respirators (for work in which dust cannot be avoided), with lavatory, cloakroom, and meal room accommodation, are to be provided, and also baths. In handling bichromates wearing of impervious gloves may be necessary, and smearing the hands and face with vaseline is recommended. In addition diffusion of dust and fumes must be minimised; machines in which mixing, crushing, and grinding are done must be impervious, and provided with exhaust ventilation. Charging of the furnaces, where possible, should be effected mechanically and the fumes developed both in manipulation of the furnaces and from hot bichromate liquor removed by an exhaust.
A leaflet containing directions for workers coming into contact with chromium compounds in chemical factories, dyeing, tanning, wood staining, calico printing, wall paper printing, painting, &c., has been drawn up by Lewin. It contains a list of the poisonous chrome compounds and of the industries in which chrome poisoning occurs, information as to the action of chrome upon the skin and mucous membrane, and the preventive measures necessary. Among the last named are: smearing the skin with oil, use of impervious gloves, respirators in work where dust arises, necessity of cleanliness, and periodical medical examination.
For the chrome tanning industry the following leaflet was drawn up by the Imperial Health Office in Berlin, which succinctly states the measures against chrome poisoning in these industries and contains much practical information for the workers:
In chrome tanning by the two bath process, the first bath containing potassium bichromate and hydrochloric acid has a corroding effect upon broken surfaces of the skin (scratches, chapped hands, eruptions, &c.). In consequence, they develop into round ulcers (chrome holes) with hard raised edges which are difficult to heal and go on increasing in size unless work at the process is temporarily given up. In persons with very sensitive skin, even though the surface may be intact, handling the liquor brings on sometimes an obstinate rash (eczema) on the hands and forearms.
The solution used in the one bath process has no corrosive action, but it is a strong poison, just as is the solution of potassium bichromate of the two bath process. If swallowed, the solutions cause vomiting, diarrhœa, kidney trouble, and even death. Chromium compounds can also enter the body through skin wounds and cause illness.
Prevention.—In order to prevent the occurrence of chrome ulceration, workers employed with chrome or chrome solutions must be especially careful in avoiding injury to the skin of the hands or forearms. This applies especially to workers who carry the vessels containing bichromate, who weigh and dissolve the potassium bichromate, or who come into contact with the tanning liquor or with undressed skins and hides which have lain in the liquor.
If, in spite of precautions, eruptions, rashes, or ulceration occur, all work necessitating contact with corrosive tanning liquors should be suspended until they are healed.