PART I DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRIES AND PROCESSES ATTENDED WITH RISK OF POISONING; INCIDENCE OF SUCH POISONING (continued 4)
Thomas Morison Legge translation
From inquiries subsequently made it appeared that much confusion existed as to the designation ‘satinwood,’ as under this name were classed both East and West Indian satinwood and also satin walnut. The evidence was clear that East Indian satinwood was more irritating than West Indian. Satin walnut wood is apparently harmless. In the shipbuilding yards of East London, Glasgow, and Bristol affections of the skin were recognised, but susceptibility to the wood varied. One man asserted that merely laying a shaving on the back of his hand would produce a sore place. The injurious effects here seem to disappear quickly. Exhaust ventilation is applied, but there is a tendency to give up the use of the wood.
Isolated cases of illness have been ascribed to working teak and olive wood. In Sheffield the following are held to be irritating: ebony, magenta rosewood, West Indian boxwood, cocos wood. Some kinds of mahogany are said to affect the eyes and nose.
Use of methylated spirit in polishing furniture is said to lead to injury to health although not to set up actual poisoning. Lead poisoning can occur from the sand-papering of coats of paint applied to wood.
In impregnating wood with creosote and tar the effects on the skin noted in the chapter on Tar are observed.
TEXTILE INDUSTRY
In getting rid of the grease from animal wool carbon bisulphide or benzine may be used.
The process of carbonising in the production of shoddy may give rise to injury to health from acid fumes. Lead poisoning used to be caused by the knocking together of the leaden weights attached to the Jacquard looms. This is a thing of the past, as now iron weights are universal.
Opportunity for lead poisoning is given in the weighting of yarn—especially of silk with lead compounds.
In bleaching use of chlorine and sulphur dioxide has to be borne in mind.
In chemical cleaning poisoning by benzine may occur.
In dyeing and printing use of poisonous colours is lessening, as they have been supplanted by aniline colours. On occurrence of aniline poisoning in aniline black dyeing see the section on Aniline. Use of lead colours and of chromate of lead are dealt with in special sections.