The Washington herald., 1911-12-17

The results OF three interesting lnVeSC-
cations of Industrial lead poisoning are
given in bulletin No. 95, about to be
issued by Commissioner Charles P. Neill,
of the Bureau of Labor, Department of
Commerce and Labor. DR.. Sir Thomas
Oliver discusses lead poisoning from the
experience of European industries and In
its medical aspects; DIR. Alice Hamilton
presents the results of a study of the
whitehead industry in the United States;
and John B. Andrews, PHI D., discusses
sixty deaths from industrial lead poison
ing reported in New York State in 1909
and 1910
DR.. Oliver mentions eighteen separate
industries, not including several minor
ones using lead to a considerable extent,
in which cases of lead poisoning occur in
England. These industries are: Lead
smelling, manufacture of white and red
lead, house and coach painting, ship
painting, color mixing, pottery, file max
ing, electric storage batteries. printing
and type founding, diamond cutting,
plumbing. putty making. dyeing and
calico printing, glass polishing and paint
Ing. thinning of hollow ware, wallpaper
making. and bronzing in lithograph
painting.
Each of these industries is of some
importance in the United States, and
|
in great Britain.
Whenever workers, in the course OF
their occupations, are exposed to the dust
or fumes of lead, Industrial lead poison
ing occurs. In Great Britain, where the
records are the most satisfactory, nearly
5000 cases were reported in the ten-year
period 1900 to 1909 and 66T of these cases
resulted in death. Even these figures
understate the actual conditions, for
cases among painters and plumbers out
side of factories are not legally required
to be reported, and the returns are there
fore incomplete.
Lead Poisoning Among Painters.
The information available in Great
Britain shows that painters stand at the
head OF the list of trades having a large
| amount Of lead poisoning. Among house
painters and plumbers 3S3 deaths from
lead poisoning were reported during the
past ten years.
Aside from the deaths reported as di-
rectly due to lead poisoning, an excessive
mortality has also been noted among
house painters from diseases OF the heart
and blood vessels. kidney disorders. and
tuberculosis. which are directly and indi-
reCtly associated with lead poisoning.
In France, at the end of five years. the
use OF white lead will be prohibited In all
painting, both in the interior and on the
exterior Of buildings In Austria and in
several of the Swiss Cantons the use of
white lead Is forbidden in interior deco
ration. In several other continental coun-
tries steps have been taken toward the
prohibition OF the use Of lead in interior
painting.
Next to painting. the white lead indus
try has furnished the greatest amount Of
! lead poisoning among British lead work
"rs. In ten years the cases reported
numbered 1886. OF which 81 were fatal.
Regulation has effected great improve
ment. The reconstruction OF factories,
substitution of wet methods of handling
in place of dry, Introduction of local sx-
haust ventilation. and mechanical meth
DDS Of handling, dminution " casual
labor, and regular medical examination
nf workers have resulted in an enormous
reduction III. the cases OF lead poisoning
Where there were ;5S cases in 1900, the
number in 1903 was 70. and in 1909 only g.
While cases of lead poisoning among
printers and typefounders are numerous,
it appeared as an immediate cause of
death among British printers in only
seventeen cases in ten years.
Methods of Prevention.
The prevention of lead poisoning re-
qUires especially cleanliness of the work.
shop and OF the individual worker who is
exposed to lead in any form. Ample
washing appliances must be provided,
with plenty of hot and cold water. soap.
and towels. No food should be eaten in
the work rooms and never at any time
or in any place until after the hands and
face have been thoroughly washed. No
work in n lead factory should ever begin
for the day by employees who have had
no food Whenever practicable, dust
proof machinery should be used, and so
far possible any dust caused in the
manufa cturing processes should be taken
care Of by exhausts. Respirators should
be provided. and their use made, compul-
sorry in necessary dusty work. Above all.
the employees should be carefully instruct
ed in regard to the danger to which their
Occupation exposes them, and periodical
medical examination of workers in lead
processes should he provided.
In a study of the white lead industry
in the United States by DR.. Alice Ham,
ilton, twenty-three OF the twenty-five
factories known to be manufacturing
white lead were covered.
DR.. Hamilton found in the twenty-three
factories SSS specific cases of lead poison
ing, sixteen of them resulting in death,
which occurred in the sixteen months
from January l, 1870 to April 30, 1911.
The regular force required to operate