Fake silk
Subtitle: the lethal history of viscose rayon
By: Paul David Blanc
Publisher: Yale University Press
Published: 2016
Language: eng
Number of pages: 309
ISBN-13: 9780300204667
Subjects: Materials Science; History, 21st Century; Occupational Diseases; TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING; Public Health; Modern; Carbon Disulfide; DESIGN; Economic History; Health aspects; Toxicology; History; HISTORY; Rayon industry and trade; Cellulose; MEDICAL; BUSINESS & ECONOMICS; Poisoning; Adverse effects; Textile Industry; Viscose process; Rayon; History, 20th Century; 20th Century; Textile & Costume
Description: When a new technology makes people ill, how high does the body count have to be before protective steps are taken? This disturbing book tells a dark story of hazardous manufacturing, poisonous materials, environmental abuses, political machinations, and economics trumping safety concerns. It explores the century-long history of "fake silk," or cellulose viscose, used to produce such products as rayon textiles and tires, cellophane, and everyday kitchen sponges. Paul Blanc uncovers the grim history of a product that crippled and even served a death sentence to many industry workers while also releasing toxic carbon disulfide into the environment. Viscose, an innovative and lucrative product first introduced in the early twentieth century, quickly became a multinational corporate enterprise. Blanc investigates industry practices from the beginning through two highly profitable world wars, the midcentury export of hazardous manufacturing to developing countries, and the current "greenwashing" of viscose as an eco-friendly product. Deeply researched and boldly presented, this book brings to light an industrial hazard whose egregious history ranks with those of asbestos, lead, and mercury.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 221-288) and index.
Table of contents: title: In the beginning --; title: The crazy years --; title: Wrapped up in cellophane --; title: Body count --; title: Rayon goes to war --; title: The heart of the matter --; title: Rayon will be with us.