Lead poisoning in the smelting and refining of lead.

  • Hamilton, Alice, 1869-1970.
Date:
1914
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Lead poisoning in the smelting and refining of lead. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.

    121/132 (page 91)
    APPENDIX IV.—FRENCH REGULATIONS RELATING TO PRE- CAUTIONS AGAINST INDUSTRIAL LEAD POISONING. DECREE OP THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC (APRIL 23, 1908) RELATING TO CERTAIN INDUSTRIES IN WHICH LfiAD IS USED. [Translated from Journal Ofllciel de la Eepublique FrancaLse, 29 Avril, 190S.] 1. Intlielead industries hereinafter mentioned, viy., smelting, cupellation of argen- tiferous lead, manufacture of accumulators, glass making, manufacture and use of lead enamels, manufacture of pottery, decoration of porcelain or faience, ceramic chromolithography, manufacture of lead alloys, oxides, salts, and colors, employers, directors, or managers are required, apart from the general measures prescribed by the decree of November 29,1904, to take special measures for protection and health as set forth in the following sections: 2. Lead melting pots shall be erected in an airy place separated from the other workrooms. Hoods or other means for the effectual removal of fumes shall be pro- vided— (a) Over the openings for the run of lead and slag in lead smelting; (6) Before the furnace doors in the manufacture of lead oxides; and (c) Above the pots for melting lead and its alloys in the other industries enumerated in section 1. 3. All work with oxides and other compounds of lead capable of producing dust shall be done as far as possible when in a damp condition. When this work can not be done in the presence of water or other liquid, it shall be carried out by mechanical means in covered air-tight apparatus. If it is impossible to conform to the requirements of either of the first two paragraphs of this section, the work shall be done under a strong draft so arranged that the harmful products may be intercepted by apparatus suitably placed. rinally, if none of these systems is possible the workmen shall be supplied with respirators. 4. Oxides and other compounds of lead, whether dry or damp, in suspension or solution, shall not be handled with the bare hand. The employer shall at his own expense provide the workers in these operations with eitlier gloves made of impervious material, such as India rubber, or suitable appliances, and shall cause them to be kept in good repair and frequently cleaned. 5. Tables on which these products are handled shall be covered with some imper- vious material, kept in a perfectly water-tight condition. The same requirement applies to the floors of the workrooms, which shall also be kept damp. The floor shall be slightly sloped toward a water-tight receptacle for collecting the lead substances which are washed down. The work shall be so arranged that there shall be no si^lashing. The tables, floors, and walls shall be washed at least once a week. 6. Without prejudice to the requirements of section 3, the grinding and mixing of lead products, and the use of them in dusting shall be effected in s^secial places with active ventUation. If the materials can not be damped, the workers shall be provided with respirators. 1 From Great Britain Home Department. I-ead Smelting. Special Report on Dangerous or Injurious Processes in the Smelling of Materials Containing Lead and in the Manufacture of Rod and Orange Lead and Flaked Litharge. By Edgar L. Collis, M. B., H. M. medical inspector of factories. London, 1910, pp. 27-29.