The tank waste gives rise, as already stated, to inconvenience from the presence of sulphuretted hydrogen. In the recovery of the sulphur and treatment of the tank waste, sulphuretted hydrogen and sulphur dioxide gases are evolved. According to Leymann, workers employed in removing the waste and at the lye vats frequently suffer from inflammation of the eyes. Further, disturbance of digestion has been noted in persons treating the tank waste, which Leymann attributes to the unavoidable development of sulphuretted hydrogen gas.
In the manufacture of sodium sulphide similar conditions prevail. Leymann found in this branch relatively more cases of sickness than in any other; diseases of the digestive tract especially appeared to be more numerous. Leymann makes the suggestion that occurrence of disease of the digestive organs is either favoured by sodium sulphide when swallowed as dust, or that here again sulphuretted hydrogen gas plays a part. Further corrosive effect on the skin and burns may easily arise at work with the hot corrosive liquor.
In the Solvay ammonia process ammonia and carbonic acid gas are present, but, so far as I know, neither injury to health nor poisoning have been described among persons employed in the process. Indeed, the view is unanimous that this method of manufacture with its technical advantages has the merit also of being quite harmless. As may be seen from the preceding description of the process there is no chance of the escape of the gases named into the workrooms.
USE OF SULPHATE AND SULPHIDE
Ultramarine is made from a mixture of clay, sulphate (Glauber’s salts), and carbon—sulphate ultramarine; or clay, sulphur, and soda—soda ultramarine. These materials are crushed, ground, and burnt in muffle furnaces. On heating the mass in the furnace much sulphur dioxide escapes, which is a source of detriment to the workmen and the neighbourhood.
Sulphonal (CH₃)₂C(SO₂C₂H₅)₂, diethylsulphone dimethylmethane, used medically as a hypnotic, is obtained from mercaptan formed by distillation of ethyl sulphuric acid with sodium or potassium sulphide. The mercaptan is converted into mercaptol, and this by oxidation with potassium permanganate into sulphonal. The volatile mercaptan has a most disgusting odour, and clings for a long time even to the clothes of those merely passing through the room.
Diethyl sulphate ((C₂H₅)₂SO₄).—Diethyl sulphate obtained by the action of sulphuric acid on alcohol has led to poisoning characterised by corrosive action on the respiratory tract.[1] As the substance in the presence of water splits up into sulphuric acid and alcohol, this corrosive action is probably due to the acid. It is possible, however, that the molecule of diethyl sulphate as such has corrosive action.
Contact with diethyl sulphate is described as having led to fatal poisoning.[2]
A chemist when conducting a laboratory experiment dropped a glass flask containing about 40 c.c. of diethyl sulphate, thereby spilling some over his clothes. He went on working, and noticed burns after some time, quickly followed by hoarseness and pain in the throat. He died of severe inflammation of the lungs. A worker in another factory was dropping diethyl sulphate and stirring it into an at first solid, and later semi-liquid, mass for the purpose of ethylating a dye stuff. In doing so he was exposed to fumes, and at the end of the work complained of hoarseness and smarting of the eyes. He died of double pneumonia two days later. Post mortem very severe corrosive action on the respiratory tract was found, showing that the diethyl sulphuric acid had decomposed inside the body and that nascent sulphuric acid had given rise to the severe burns. The principal chemist who had superintended the process suffered severely from hoarseness at night, but no serious consequences followed.
It is stated also that workmen in chemical factories coming into contact with the fumes of diethyl sulphate ester suffer from eye affections.[3]