Phosphorus, Lucifer Matches
(See also pp. [49-53] and [190])
In view of the danger of the lucifer match industry, measures were taken at an early date in almost all civilised states to guard against phosphorus poisoning, and in many countries have led to the prohibition of the use of white phosphorus. Complete prohibition of its manufacture and use was first enacted in Finland (1872) and in Denmark (1874). Prohibition was decreed in Switzerland in 1879 (in January 1882 this was revoked, but again enacted in 1893), and in the Netherlands in 1901. In Germany the law prohibiting the use of white phosphorus came into force in January 1908, and runs as follows:
1. White or yellow phosphorus shall not be employed in the production of matches and other lighting substances. Lighting substances made with white phosphorus shall not be kept for sale, or sold, or otherwise brought on the market. Provided that this shall not apply to ignition strips which serve for the lighting of safety lamps.
2. Persons wilfully infringing this law shall be punished by a fine of 2000 marks. If the infringement occurs through ignorance the fine shall consist of 150 marks.
In addition to the fine, all prohibited articles produced, imported, or brought into the trade shall be confiscated, as well as the implements used in their production, without reference to whether they belong to the person convicted or not. If prosecution or conviction of the guilty party cannot be brought home, confiscation nevertheless is to be carried out independently.
Roumania and France have a state monopoly of matches; in these states no white phosphorus matches have been produced since 1900 and 1898 respectively. France, by the Law of December 17, 1908, signified concurrence with the International Convention in regard to the prohibition of the use of white phosphorus.
In Sweden and Norway the prohibition of white phosphorus is in force only for the home trade. A Swedish Decree, dated December 9, 1896, permitted factories carrying on the manufacture for export to use white phosphorus, and almost precisely similar provisions are contained in the Norwegian Decree. The Swedish Decree, dated March 30, 1900, permits white phosphorus matches to be exported, but not to be sold in the country. In Austria difficulties in regard to prohibition of white phosphorus arose owing to trade conditions (especially in the East), and the attitude of the states competing in the lucifer match trade, particularly Italy and Japan. Austria, therefore, made agreement with international prohibition of white phosphorus, dependent on the attitude of Japan; since Japan did not concur, the decision of Austria fell through. When, however, Italy in the year 1906 joined the Convention, the difficulties were also overcome in Austria, and by a law similar to that of Germany, dated July 13, 1909, prohibition of the manufacture and sale of white phosphorus matches dates from the year 1912.[H]
Belgium has refrained from prohibition of white phosphorus, but on the other hand has passed a series of enactments relating to the match manufacture, of which the most essential are here cited, since they characterise the measures which come into consideration for factories in which white phosphorus is still employed.