INDUSTRIAL POISONS

In the case of poisonous gases and fumes the necessity becomes even greater for proper prophylactic measures. The methods used in dusty trades may be here employed, but with greater care. All poisonous materials should be eliminated as far as possible and less objectionable material substituted. This may be done in a great many instances without decreasing the value of the article manufactured. An illustration of this is in the substitution of red phosphorus for the use of the more poisonous yellow phosphorus in the manufacture of matches. This eliminates danger from phosphorus poisoning.

Price states: “The chief industrial poisons are lead, arsenic and mercury, although phosphorus, copper, zinc, brass, and chromium poisoning are frequently met with in various industries.”

Lead Poisoning

The symptoms produced by lead poisoning are: lead colic in acute cases, loss of appetite, cramps, pain in the joints. There will be bluish lines found along the edge of the gums; wrist drop and loss of motor function in the hands and feet; arteriosclerosis, indigestion, restlessness during sleep, anemia, lead palsy, loss of strength and weight and constipation. The patient experiences a disagreeable sweetish taste, and there will be a grayish pallor and pinched expression of the face. In severe cases there may be blindness, great fatigue, apoplexy, insanity and death.

The greatest danger from lead comes in the form of dust or fumes and therefore the poison enters the body principally through the respiratory tract, but it may enter through the digestive tract and through the skin.

Prophylactic measures include devices to protect the workmen by means of respirators, but special effort should be made to keep the air in the breathing zone free from the dust and fumes. Since the poison may be taken in through the skin, special provision should be made to protect the hands and arms in fingering the materials. The workmen should exercise the greatest cleanliness and precaution to prevent ingestion of the lead into the digestive tract. Care should be taken that it is not brought into the mouth by the fingers or by pipe, for example. There is a high mortality from pulmonary tuberculosis among lead workers.

Arsenic Poisoning

The mouth, lungs and skin are the portals of entry for arsenic into the body. Arsenic poisoning is characterized by catarrhal inflammation of the eyes and respiratory tract, anemia, neuritis, gastritis, and degenerative changes in the liver and kidneys. Many of the symptoms of arsenic poisoning resemble those of lead poisoning such as gastric disturbances, anorexia, anemia and loss of strength. There may be progressive muscular atrophy, eczematous eruptions and ulcers of the lips, nostrils and in the folds of the skin.

Arsenic is used in the manufacture of wall paper, artificial flowers, textile fabrics; by taxidermists and as a preservative for hides; it is also used in different preparations to kill insects and parasites.

Mercurial Poisoning

Mercury enters the body through the digestive and respiratory tracts and through the skin. The symptoms usually manifest in this kind of industrial poisoning are headache, gastric disturbances, stomatitis, metallic taste in the mouth and fetid breath; there is swelling and ulceration of the gums that cause the teeth to become loose, and there may be an excessive flow of saliva with a swelling of the submaxillary glands. In severe cases there may be tremors, paralysis, melancholy and loss of memory.

Mercury is used in the manufacture of incandescent lamps where they employ mercury pumps, in the manufacture of barometers and thermometers, in the felt and fur industries, in the manufacture of pharmaceutical preparations and chemical works, and in photography.

Methods used to prevent mercurial poisoning are almost identical with those used in lead poisoning. Special devices should be provided to keep the air in the breathing zone free from the fumes. This can best be accomplished by providing a proper system of mechanical ventilation. The workmen should wear rubber gloves to lessen the possibilities of the absorption through the skin. The workmen should also practice cleanliness and exercise care that mercury is not carried into the mouth by the hands which should be thoroughly washed before eating.

Phosphorus Poisoning

The industrial poison of next importance is phosphorus. This poisoning is confined almost entirely to the match industry. There are two kinds of phosphorus, the yellow or white, and the amorphous or red. The yellow is poisonous and is used in making the “strike anywhere” matches. This, however, is being replaced by the non-poisonous, or more harmless red phosphorus. The safety matches contain no phosphorus and are harmless.

Phosphorus poisoning produces gastric disturbances, bronchial catarrh and caries of the teeth with necrosis of the lower maxillary. Other bones of the body may also be affected by necrosis.

Brass, copper, zinc, and bronze workers are also affected by the dust and fumes from these poisons. Brass workers suffer with brass founders’ ague in which there are chills, vomiting, headache and general depression.

Chromium Poisoning

Chromium is also responsible for industrial poisoning. It is used in the manufacture of dyes and in the coloring of wall paper and fabrics. It affects the mucous membrane lining the nose and throat and produces an inflammation of the eyes and ulceration of the skin.