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.

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    DrST PREVENTION. Dust must ]>e prevented L}' dampness, by sprinkling; there is i.o other possible way. Wliere material can not be handled wet, exhaust ventilation must be installed, but such work must always be regarded us dangerous and must be carefully supervised; only strong and well- tested men should be employed there. But in almost every part of the work dusty products can and should be dampened, and for this purpose an abundant and easily managed water supply is essential. Floors sliould be sprinkled so often that they will be always a httle damp and dry sweeping should be absolutely forbidden. PREVENTION OF FUMES. All fumes should be carried off by exhaust ventilation, for the least escape of fumes is dangerous, and natural ventilation is too variable and uncertain. It must be remembered, however, that no exhaust system will render safe a furnace which is always getting out of order. Neither against dust nor against fumes can one trust to the pro- t-ection of respirators. Anyone who has ever worked w^ith filters and has tried to drive air through and keep dust back knows how thick a filter and how strong a force is required. It is impossible for a work- man to get enough air through a reaUy effective dust filtering respi- rator. Like the British factory inspection department, Miiller prefers to a respirator a simple muslin bag tied over the mouth and nose and washed daily. CONTROL OF THE WORKMEN. Discipline should be inflexible; half-hearted cooperation on the part of foremen is fatal to any system.; All protective devices should be so arranged that the men will have more trouble in getting them out of the way than in using them, for it is impossible to make the whole force reasonably careful. Every increase in the force or change in the personnel increases the danger of lead poisoning, for new men may prove oversusceptible and may sicken under conditions not dangerous to ordinary men. Emergencies and accidents are frequent in lead smelting and always involve risk, but with a healthy lot of men a certain amount of risk can be encountered without harm, while if there are oversusceptible men they will succumb. No man who has been once leaded should be employed in the worst kinds of work. MEDICAL SUPERVISION. Like most practical men, MiiUer does not rate very high the advice which is given l)y medical experts. He advises superintendents to do tlieir own inspecting and to insist on a report from the foreman as to pallor and loss of appetite among the men. Two very thorough medical inspections in a year would, he believes, be of more value than 12 superficial monthly examinations.