Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1913-02-06
Warns Against
Lead Poisoning

New York, $50 mucn lead
poisoning has been found to exist
among painters and lead workers in
New oYrk factories that the Depart
mena of Labor of this state has be-
gun a vigorous campaign against
plHmbism; a disease which recent
investigation by the federal govern.
ment shows to be from 8 to 10 times
as frequent in America as in Euro
pean factories where the manufacture
and use OF lead is under strict gov
ernmental control. The Department
is endeavoring to enlist the co-opera-
ton of employers and workers in
lead at the same time that definite
legal regulation Of the industry is be-
ing proposed by the American Asso.
citation for Labor Legislation as a
necessary. supplement to voluntary
action. This regulation, which comes
In the form Of the Associations uni.
form bill, now being introduced in
every state in which a legislature is
at present sitting, calls for sufficient
washing facilities, instructions to
workmen by foremen and others, me.
chanical methods Of dust prevention
and removal, and the prohibition OF
eating In workrooms. This promises
to be a big national campaign for
the prevention Of lead poisoning.
The New York law already re.
quires physicians and hospitals to re.
port lead poisoning and the Depart.
ment has just distributed to every
painters union and to all employers
and hospitals reporting cases of lead
poisoning, $4,000 English edition of
Ia card Of Information for Work
men," to be followed later by editions
IN other languages, stating that lead
poisoning can be prevented, that
hoods and other mechanical means
are necessary to take away lead
dust and fumes, but that the work
|ers themselves need to take extraor-
Edinary precautions. These instruc.
tons to lead workers, continue:
How Men are Poisoned by Lead
l. clad ispoison In the body. II
enters the body mainly through the
nose and mouth. It may be inhaled as
dust or fumes. It may be swallowed
with food or saliva Especially if to
bacco or gum be put into the mouth
W4S4 0O4AC0 4AA6O16(s VI IL udy Ue
absorbed through the skin.
2. When lead gets into the body, II
leads among other things to indiges
ton and lead collie; to diseases Of
the heart, blood vessels and kidneys
or to paralysis Of the hands, known
as wrist DROP.
8. Lead acts upon the body slow
~ and insidiously. Without knowing
your danger you may be getting some
lead poison into your body every day
II you are working with lead In any
one of its many forms, you must
therefore use great care SO as = t.
protect yourself against it
4. On the very first sign Of moi
feeling well. see a doctor or go to a
dispensary. do not wait until you
are too sick to work. The earlier
you go to doctor, the easier it will
be to cure you Il you are being poi
soned by lead BE SURE TO TELL
THE DOCTOR ALL ABOUT YOUR
OCCUPATION AND IT'S DANGERS.
How to Prevent Lead Poisoning.
/. Always wash before eating, and
II you work in factory, before leav-
ing the factory Remove all dirt from
under your finger nails with brush.
~. Never eat in the room in which
You work.
8. Never chew tobacco or gum
while working If you do, the lead
dust on your fingers and In the air
Is sure to be swallowed.
Use overalls when you work. Do
not wear your working clothes on the
street Or at home They may contain
lead and poison you and others.
s. eRspirat0rs are very useful and