Reports to the Secretary of State for the Home department on the use of phosphorus in the manufacture of lucifer matches.

  • Thomas Edward Thorpe
Date:
1899
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Reports to the Secretary of State for the Home department on the use of phosphorus in the manufacture of lucifer matches. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    Results of Among the most interesting and practically important features of the the inquiry, reports are the description of labour-saving machinery, in use in America and on the Continent, obviating much of the exposure of workpeople to yellow phosphorus; and the conclusive evidence which is given of the necessity of attention to soundness of teeth. I/r. Cunningham has examined large numbers of match-workers, at home and in France, and has obtained further results from other sources. He finds that in the absence of special arrange- ment for regular dental supervision, the teeth are deplorably bad, a condition which all authorities now agree in regarding as inviting necrosis of the jaw. Mr. Morton Smale, Dean of the Dental Hospital of London, and Examiner in Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons, writes:— “ I am of opinion that phosphorus necrosis can only originate under the following circumstances :— “ (1.) When dental caries has exposed the pulp (nerve) of a tooth. “ (2.) During the healing process after tooth extraction. “ (3.) During the time there is some lesion of the gum. “ Cases have been recorded which appear to bear evidence to the contrary ; but the teeth had not been examined by a dentist, and severe ravages of dental caries may arise which only a skilled person can discover. “ In the hope of permanently arresting phosphorus necrosis, I would strongly urge that the suggestion should be carried into effect—that a dentist should be appointed to all match factories, whose duty it should be to keep the teeth of the workers in order,' and be empowered to prevent any employes with a lesion in the mouth working in the factory. “ It is well known that bad teeth are the cause of much pain, dyspepsia, intestinal troubles, and malnutrition, and if these were prevented, as I believe would largely be the case, the manufacturers would be largely saved compensation and loss of service from pain or illness, and would probably be the actual gainers in the end.” This matter must claim prominence in any revision of the conditions under which the use of yellow phosphorus is permitted. Varieties of Phosphorus is used in this industry in two forms— phosphorus. Ordinary “ white ” or “ yellow ” phosphorus, which is highly poisonous if swallowed, and gives off' poisonous fumes which Dr. Thorpe shows to consist mainly of low oxides of phosphorus. 2. Red or amorphous phosphorus, an allotropic variety, which does not fume, and is hardly poisonous even if swallowed. The danger of phosphorus necrosis is limited to persons using the former. Ordinary and safety matches. “ Safety ” matches are tipped with a composition containing no phosphonis. They ignite with some difficulty if rubbed upon certain ordinary surfaces, such as glass, but practically require a special surface, covered with a com- position of which red phosphorus forms a part. The manufacture of these matches is attended with no danger of phosphorus poisoning. Ordinary matches (“ strike anywhere ” matches), of wax or wood, are tipped with a paste containing yellow phosphorus in a proportion varying from 3 or 4 to 30 per cent., but in this country not more than 6 or 7 per cent., and often less than 5 per cent. The tendency is to reduction of the proportion, and this would seem to carry with it lessened danger to the workpeople. Fumes are given off freely from such a paste until thoroughly dried. Hitherto it has not been found practicable to substitute red for yellow phosphorus in the paste, owing to its more ready and violent ignition in presence of the other ingredients; but attempts are still being made to overcome this difficulty, and also to find other substitutes. Dangerous The special danger of phosphorus poisoning associated with this manu- proccsses. facture extends to those engaged in the following successive processes, which are fully described in the Reports :— 1. Mixing the yellow phosphorus with other ingredients to form the paste. 2. Dipping the wood or wax stems, arranged in bundles or frames, in the paste, spread for the purpose on a flat slab. 3. Drying the bundles of matches after dipping.