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9 This Month's Cover 1M OST of us can remember the days when a tew faded and fly-specked posters tacked on the factory walls constituted most of the safety "advertising." Too often uch a poster display was characteristic of the whole safety program. A well-kept attractive bulletin board has become recog nized as an essential part of accident prevention work. Posters have improved in both subject matter and technique and many new attention-arresting devices have been added to the safety man's equipment. One of these, which attracted much attention at the Congress is shown on the cover of this issue. It uses light, sound and motion to call attention to the safety message. The light globe at the top displays a Universal Safety em blem or a slogan. Beneath is a slowly revolving cylinder on which posters are mounted. In the base is a loud speaker which can be operated by remote control. In summer the device can be stationed in the plant yard during the noon hour and in cold weather it can be moved in to the lunch room or rest room. A brief talk by the safety man, a company official or a guest speaker and a few phono graph records will provide an interesting informal program for the noon hour. Safety men are giving more thought to poster displays and pud that ingenuity brings increased interest. Many of them ?are using the practical ideas presented each month on "The "Bulletin Board" page of the National Safety News. Many Thanks! ALTHOUGH a large part of this issue is devoted to the events of the Twenty-fifth National Safety Congress. Ae issue would seem incomplete without editorial comment. So we again wish to express the warmest appreciation of the Safety Movement to the State of New Jersey, particularly : to Governor Hoffman and his energetic associates of the Greater New Jersey Congress Committee. It was a Congress that will long be remembered by every delegate who attended. The seaside setting was unusual but 'ven more important was the cordial welcome to the Congress jnd the personal and official recognition of Safety by the state's chief executive. Our grateful thanks are also due the program committees ^nd the speakers who contributed such a wealth of invaluable formation from their experience. And from the united ef forts of all these loyal workers comes that intangible force, fospiration, which vitalizes the whole safety movement. When the thanks are distributed, the exhibitors should nt be forgotten. Their equipment has been invaluable to NOW\rRT7T? I O'. A the safety man in his daily job of preventing accidents, and the exhibits have made each Congress more interesting and colorful. One successful congress, or even twenty-five does not mean the continued usefulness of the Safety Movement; Safety men. however, do not rest on past accomplishments. They realize how much must be done during the ensuing year. They are looking toward another year of accomplishment before the Twenty-sixth Congress meets in Kansas City dur ing the week of October 11 to IS, 1937. In This Issue AFETY engineers are not economic experts; they have S no panacea for social maladjustments. But the suc cess of their efforts adds much to the happiness and security of humanity, as President Watson pointed out in the Annual Message to Members. (Page 11.) Governor Hoffman's address was more than a convention t= I m al address of welcome. It was another stirring message and challenge to the Safety Movement in the same spirit as the one he delivered at Louisville last year. (Page 13.) The swift streamlined Diesels which have caught the pub lic's fancy are only one of the many items in transportation's progress. There has been steady improvement in both freight and passenger service. The safety problems involved in mod ern railroading are described by the president of one of .America's largest railroad systems. (Page 14.) Every year we approach the task of reporting the Congress with a feeling of humility and inadequacy. The Congress was so vast, with so many important events going on simul taneously, that any individual's report is sure to be lacking in important details. (Page 16.) Like many others, we used to think motion study was merely a cold-blooded scheme for speeding up workers. That impression, which is still widespread, is entirely without foundation. Motion study teaches the worker to perform his task with fewer motions and consequently less fatigue. And since each motion is another opportunity for accident, safety men have a very practical interest in Motion Study. (Page 22.) Inter-fleet contests have raised the standards of commer cial vehicle operation; why not apply similar methods to employees' private motoring? So Detroit's industrial work ers are now competing to keep their records clear while) driving their own cars. (Page 25.) Principles similar to those presented by Mr. Mullee in his able discussion of motion study are applied by P. G. Hunter to the problem of handling materials. Here again few CO jIbI3t motions mean fewer chances for mishap and more speed generally with less haste and confusion. (Page 27.) s! * 34 QndujJjdjaL A Department for Physicians and Laym<: Lesser Known Facts About duce the original disease with all its divll comforts. Occupational Diseases By ROBERT B. HUNT, M.D. American Mutual Liabilitu Insurance Companu ROBABLY the leader in the pa the discomfort now produced by in P rade of industrial diseases is an acute or chronic inflammation of dustrial dermatitis. the skin which we call dermatitis. ThMisetals ' disease may present itself in any type of shop, factory-or-foundry.-Any-paste..-. Lead: The distribution of iead powder, gas or liquid which comes in poisohIngTs~quTte extensive. contact with the employee's skin, even The skin of the body is a protective ,t'e water supplied by the town in which covering, and as long as it remains in lives or works, may be the potential tact it does a good job except in the cause of such a skin disturbance. case of tetraethyl lead, which is used in The wide diversity of causes, to gether with the varying susceptibility of different individuals, makes the problem of control difficult. Much investigation is under way to determine why one person may be sus blending gasoline and which is readily absorbed through the skin, having a tendency to create changes in the nerv ous system. The effect of other forms of lead, through that avenue of entrance, is practically nil, which explains the ex tremely low poisoning rate in typeset ceptible to a certain substance while an ters, painters and others who continually other is not. It has been proved many come in contact with metallic lead. times that a poisonous substance formed Lead in any form, introduced through within the body has been able tcrprolong the mouth, acts rather slowly when com the action started by some external in fluence. A printer developed a marked dermatitis from ink which persisted for two years. Finally food tests were made and showed that he was susceptible to lettuce. Removing this from his diet cleared the skin. He returned to his usual occupation without a return of symptoms. pared with the inhalation of lead dust or fumes. However, no matter what the portal of entry may be, lead is acted upon by the body fluids and so con verted that it may eventually be de posited within the bones. Those bony safe deposit vaults may retain their lead contents for days or for years, and if the exposure is removed, The poisoning of allergic substances may also free the employee of all signs is usually an accumulative process. It and symptoms of lead poisoning. But takes time to produce a manifestation of imagine the surprise of that supposedly disease, but let any other substance cured person when years later, perhaps cause the disease, and the irritating food may be of sufficient strength to mag- its action. following some type of infectious disease or the excessive use of alcoholic bever ages, he awakes to find that he suffers .1 cases of dermatitis cannot be the aches and pains and paralyses of an cured by eliminating offending foods, acute lead poisoning. As the body fluids cut further investigation along these alter lead that it may be deposited,_ so ines may give us a due with which to may those fluids attempt to de-lead the essen the loss of time from work and body, and too rapid absorption may pro One can readily see, then, that in son cases investigation of previous occup dons is quite necessary to determine original contact with lead. Heating of molten lead causes a bh scum of lead suboxide to form oa._ surface, and the heat from the meti disburses the fine powder into the air.: Hence, in the process of smelting ores! such as zinc, copper and silver, mtxedlill with lead, we find a rather high TM~ poisoning rate. Those engaged in the manufacture lead wire and cables, batteries, gia pottery and rubber industries, plumb and users of dry colors offer their a of lead poisoning cases. Probably the greatest source of poisoning may be found among the who sandpaper, scrape, chip or bum le paint, for the dust and fumes caused those activities are rather rapid in action. Such workers may become! capacitated in a tew days because inhalation of lead dust causes the : mum amount of absorption into blood stream in the minimum space time. Chromium: Chromium is a me widely used as a foundation for color and dusts from its various salts produce lesions of the skin and mucous* membranes of the nose. Chromium pbuing by electrolysis may cause iunws _ which are similarly irritating. Although^ chromium poisoning does not usua cause death, the number of days of sence from work on account of me ^ pacity which it causes is gradually in'; creasing. Other Metals: The most efficient portals of entry of foreign substances-^? into the body are the nose and m0U7'T Tne smaller the dust (the size oi s.:mote"* particles tor example, the greater the speed of absorption by the blood. Fumes-- from hot metals carry not only poisons? but numerous minute dust particle*^ This explains the incapacities occurring^ NATIONAL SAFETY NE#^ 'HE 36 among those engaged in acetylene, and electric cutting and welding. When men are so employed over a prolonged period of time, the constant inhalation of fumes and dust might pro duce symptoms of the metal upon which they work. In the shipbuilding trade, particularly in the construction of metal ships, we find occasional cases of metalfume fever. "Brass chills" and "spelter shakes" from zinc are names applied by the lay people to such diseases. The ter rific heat applied to some of our com mon metals and alloys by acetylene torches produces sufficient fumes to cause a temporary incapacity in 24 hours. Permanent disability from such causes is rare, however. Diseases Due to Dust Twenty-five per cent of all workers exposed to high concentrations of inor ganic dust are expected to develop changes .within their lungs due to that agency. We are at a loss to explain why the other 75 per cent are not so affected. Mining, quarrying, foundry work, grinding, sandblasting, abrasive soap manufacturing, asbestos work, the mak ing of emery and carborundum products nd many other occupations oner op portunities for employees to inhale mic roscopic dust particles and create a foundation for possible future inca pacity. We are interested particularly in those men who work with sandstone, quartz, flint, granite, and sand, because they expose themselves to silica, and the chemical changes between that dust and the body fluids, in the presence of tuber culosis, may and usually do lead to a fatal ending. It is safe to say, in light of our present knowledge, that the action of other in organic dusts is much less virulent and incapacitating. That, however, does not allow us to lower the vigilant methods to improve dust control and protect em ployees, because all dusty occupations are potential trouble makers. -Although the actions of various dusts differ within the body, the exposure to asbestos fibres, present in the weaving and grinding of dry asbestos material, offers another type of dust which may cause fatalities among workers. The organic dusts from cotton, silk, 'vool, tobacco, flour and similar sub- -nces are practically harmless. Such ousts rarely reach the lungs but may cause irritation of the windpipe and larger air tubes and result at the most in a mild bronchitis. The factor which should be borne in mind, particularly when dealing with silicosis and asbestosis, relates to the progression of such disease. When changes occur within the lungs as a re sult of the presence of such dusts, nature forms scar tissue to heal such lesions hut may tail to stop when the job is finished. As a result, the continuation of that healing process may lead to such structural changes within the lungs that partial or total incapacity may follow months or years after the employee has been removed from his dusty occupa tion. Benzol-Benzene Benzol is a distillate of coal tar used extensively in industry. It is an essentrial ingredient in the manufacture of explosives. It is an excellent solvent for grease, oils and cements, and because of that property it is important in many phases of the rubber and cleaning indus tries. In the manufacture of shoes ben zol may be an ingredient of the dressing applied to the leather and of the cement which fastens the heels and soles. Not only in the shoe trade but in other branches of industry where employees work with gummy, sticky material, the workers soon leam of the solvent and cleansing action of this liquid and use it freely for that purpose upon them selves. The subsequent outbreak of skin afflictions may be the first indication of such unauthorized use. Benzol is extremely poisonous, enter ing either through the nose or mouth or absorbed through the skin. Its action within the body is varied and may pro duce a multitude of signs and symptoms. The bone marrow becomes affected which in turn alters the character of the blood; hemorrhages are common; it may cause death. The fumes from benzol are heavier than air and lie near the floor, which is an important point in the engineering problem of ventilation. The members of the benzene group are absorbed through the skin, and more cases of poisoning are found when men perspire than when their bodies are cool. Probably the answer to that is that the fumes may solidify as they cool and the powder may settle on the skin. The sweat on the body may dissolve this dust so that it is more readily absorbed through the increased surface blood supply. Chlorinated Hydrocarbons This group of petroleum derivatives has been known to science for years but during the past decade itHf the industrial field has beenVfwa tributed and most important " carbon tetrachloride and itjrgj associated members, it has fu dustry with refrigerants, vents for rubber, wax, oiLagj thinners tor lacquers ancLasR. household necessity for the "rtnl spots from clothes. Hospitals,! using it more and more'for the of adhesive plaster. Due to the non-flammabflfe bon tetrachloride, it is used'Jig tinguishers. The rapid evapofl duces fumes which may smothe blaze, but we must not forge! cessive heat of the actual fixeff about combustion sufficient to such by-products as hydroc~ and phosgene gas . Like ft; member, choloroform, it sleep when inhaled by an indMl only 1/350 of an ounce b aqu is necessary to produce sudi actiSjf thought must be remembere, large quantity of those liquicTpr spilled on the floor, perhaps ad Action should be started a! t the liquid gasifies, and emplo| be notified to keep their ' ~ avoid the low ceiling of Chemists have developed? duced to industry many.neSU the basis of which is the chlor drocarbons. These derivative! leum. distillation are frequml with those from coal tar tdji ble chemical combinations^ been placed on the marke|| that medical science has bee. ^ determine their physiologicafefj the health of man. We haver IT some of these chemicals are/cap creating changes in the liverrJ recently b a city in Massachu of these newer products caus of two employees and a battle to i life among two others. Carbon Monoxide You remember the adage, -A there is smoke, there is fire." add- to that, "Where there is iiref| carbon monoxide." This odorless but poisonous occur in any industry or b any|| but the poorer the ventilation th&J the chance of producing pky51^" capacity. _ Sbce the advent of the niofOj whose exhaust pipe may pour tog high as six per cent of carbon ide, we are all exposed to that ,__ ticularly in crowded cities. Thet-gg NATIONAL SAFETY l|jj XOVFvn 38 ary passenger car liberates about two cubic feet per minute, and one can eadily estimate the physical damage that may be done if such a motor is allowed to run within the doors of a poorly ventilated garage or shop. For tunately, serious cases of such poison ing are not common among those em ployed in public garages, but many em ployes are likely to complain of head ache and faintness at the end of a day's work, especially in colder weather when doors and windows remain closed. In the steel industry, where gas is used as the heating agency in the blast furnaces, care must be taken to provide proper ventilation. Within the mines, workers are warned to allow enough time following blasts for the escape of this gas. Infection The skin is a protective covering of the body against infection and is ex tremely efficient as long as it remain in tact, but allowing it to be broken or punc tured introduces bacteria, and a battle ensues between the offensive agencies of infection and the defensive powers of the body. The winner of such a struggle may determine the presence or absence of incapacity. Infections are common throughout industry, but two types are particularly' prominent--infection ` r&- suiting from anthrax and infection among meat packers and. fishermen. Many of -our fur, hair or wool- covered animals may contract anthrax. The germs of that disease defy the ordinary methods of sterilization and may linger on hides, bristles or hairs for long periods of time. Tanners, wool sorters, and hair or bristle workers may introduce the anthrax spore Seneath their skin and undergo much physical suffering and sometimes death. Infections are frequently found among meat and fish packers and those engaged in deep sea fishing. Although death rarely occurs, the loss of fingers, hands and nasty septic wounds are the result. Summary I feel that the time has come when an employer must demand of a manufac turer the answers to two questions: 1. How will your product affect my busi ness? . 2. How will your product affect the health of my employees? That employer is entitled to honest answers based upon sufficient chemical 'and physiological examinations of the questionable product. Too many lives have been lost or jeopardized by too little knowledge of a product's action upon those who handle it. F errosiilneon Industrial Data Sheet D-Chem. 20 A. Problem 1. What are the hazards of ferrosilicon and what precautions are necessary in its use? B. Hazards 2. The principal hazard is that of poisoning by inhalation of the gases that may be given off, especially in the presence of moisture. C. Discussion 3. Ferrosilicon is prepared by melting iron ore or steel shavings with coal or coke and ganister or quartz at a temper ature of about 2,000 degrees centigrade (3,632 degrees Fahrenheit) in an elec tric furnace. In making steel, ferrosili con is used for removing objectionable gases and oxides and also as an alloying element. When alloyed with cast iron, it affects the carbides and renders the iron soft and gray. More concentrated silicon alloys are sometimes used in cer tain processes for making hydrogen gas and in the manufacture of explosives. . 4. The hazard in connection with fer rosilicon results from very small percent ages of phosphorus together with other elements which may be present as im purities originating in the raw materials used. In the presence of moisture the phosphorus compounds react to form phosphorated hydrogen or phosphine. This is a gas which in sufficient quanti ties is decidedly poisonous. It has a strong and distinctive odor somewhat re sembling garlic so that its presence can be readily recognized. The stability of ferrosilicon depends upon its silicon con tent, grades, below 48 percent and above 63 percent being entirely stable and ferrosilicon in these ranges does not give off any appreciable quantities of phosphine, even in the presence of moisture. It is, therefore, only in the intermediate range between 48 percent and 65 percent that there is any appre ciable hazard. Symptoms of Poisoning 3. When a person has breathed poison ous gases liberated from ferrosilicon, the symptoms of poisoning usually de velop quite suddenly and are character ized by general and abdomin nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, he rhages, loss of consciousness pupils, cold clammy perspiratiQ coma. Cases of poisoning hav,, mistaken for cholera, gastro-eti ptomaine poisoning, pneumonia: fiuenza. First Aid 6. When a person displasymptoms of poisoning becau inhalation of the poisonous erated by ferrosilicon, he sh" promptly removed to the fresh- i if conscious, be given a mild t If unconscious, the pronemethod of artificial respiratfoiK'be started immediately after tfiqT has been removed to the-fresBp all cases of poisoning the seme doctor should be promptly oh Precautions 7. Ferrosilicon should besto; from such places as offices __ rooms or living quarters of am|j tion. 8. All buildings in whlclr_ is stored should be well venti dry. (See Note X.) Ord open factory building the nat lation through monitors m through windows is sufficient rosAicon is kept dry. " 9. If men are required to ha ferrosilicon in a confined space,-' ventilation should be provided! 10. In case phosphine has lowed to accumulate in a closel fined space such as a closed room < car, so that a strong odor of the. noticeable, no one, unless he is\ a suitable gas mask or fresh mask, should be allowed to en room until it has been thoroughly lated. (See Note F.J NOTE X. Detailed information oa;tion will he found in National Safe Safe Practices Pamphlet No. 37 'Ventilation." NOTE Y. Detailed information on hose masks will be found in N attorn Council Safe Practices Pamphlet "Resnirators. Gas Masks. Hose Ma hrPHihinst ADDfiratus." National Safety Council, 20 North Wacker Drive' Chicago, III. AT < TTAM IT Cl TTTTY n To * iT.rijf Volume 34. Number 5 ` Contents'for NOVEMBER, 1936 j]j(, pri-iient`s Address--Cassius H. Watson. M.D............................ 11 * Rules for the Game of Life--Hon. Harold G. Hoffman............13 planning Safety for Tomorrow's Railroads--Ralph Budd.............. 14 Jersey Salutes Safety--Carman T. Fish.......................................16 Officers of the National Safety Council, 1936-37 ..............................20 potion Study Is Safety's Partner--William R. Mullee.....................22 [Detroit's Drive for Safer Driving--C. F. Scheer................................ 25 jLt Handling Means Fewer Injuries--P. H. Hunter....................... 27 jueird at tlie Congress............................................................................. 30 ?AHunting We Will Go.!..........................................................................32 tleMer Known Facts About Occupational Diseases-- [ Robert B. Hunt, M.D.......................................................................... 34 f. JV ffrosiiicon--Industrial Data SheetD-Chem. 20.............................. 38 Did You See It at the Exhibit?--C. H. Miller.................................... 52 Winners in Sectional Contests................................................. 58 Sectional Officers.................................................................................................................. 62 REGULAR DEPARTMENTS Editorial ............................................... 9 fie Managing Director's Page ... 10 fie Safety Exchange...................... 31 xdwtrial Health.............................. 34 fie Bulletin Board.......................... 40 'Eety Instruction Cards.................. 48 The Safety Library.......................... 64 Asked and Answered ...................... 66 Personals .............................................73 Coming Events.................................. 77 The Honor Roll................................ 89 With the Manufacturer..................90 `WAN T. FISH, Editor 3-KERSHAW, Poller Editor . ' C F. SCHEER, Associate Editor C H. MILLER, Advertising Manager ^5?' N<n*mhr. 1*M to .NaiIooaI SaIact CMroell. J'J . u ^* Kn *- A. VaatavFsJ u n"coTwl-ct matter ro OfBm it Oileu*. 111.. todr * * Mimt 3, 137V. A<kUu*3*J SL T?ov7C* 10 "stben f'-r enni tubwrlptlora to *** *{tL 5ArKTT .VrSTJt u J4.W per Ter. Slnir ''mu Ka-ducetl umULT priert for yearly <ub- eertMloa* and *laU a r*qtxt. SutwcrlDtlon, cry ritlabl* only t mabm at the National 8a/ty Coelt. Member Audit Buraaa #f ClfvuULlect. . '~7L3r~ita|ilna la \r*Uxwr\ La Um IaduauUl Art* 2odx. fttatraest* and eptatoee adraneed In aimed article* are lodtUdutl craroMlona el Unir author*. rxn th** M m* Natteoal Safety Cufl*lL I.17W cufilea <%i (hU fjiMr trere prialed. National Safety Council Inc. kj^.ai. XX/,n~. r>.:__ ft:_____ n t a National Safety Council Officers, 1936-37 Cassius K. Watson, M. D. President I). !J. Fckmkl, Vice-President for Puh- llc Relations Hast F_ Fishes, M. D,, Vice-President for Health John B. Gisson, Vice-President for Safety Councils Hon. Haiois G. HoerMAN. Vice-Presi dent for Publle Safety Auiorr S. Ilccuu. Vice-President for Engineering A. V. RoKwcne*. Vice-President for In dustrial Safety R. T. Sounstzm, Vice-President for Membership AtJsant W. Whitney, Vice-President for Education . William E. WoaTH, Vice-President for Finance and Treasurer W. H. CanISON, Menacing Director Executive Committee Members at Large Thic Aaotx Omcu ano: Haaolu S. Butttnheix. The American City Haaav Crasur, The Pullman Co. and Surety Co. Hamt GcilisSt. The Pullman Co. c.William Knoclx, Milwaukee Safaty Commission Ebwabo J. Motmxx, Portland Cement Assn. I. W. Miriam. Industrial Gloves Corp. Hajmlo I_ Mixn. E. L duPont de Nemoors A Co. Gaoaea E. Sani-od. General Electric Co. C. W. Sums. Standard Oil Co. (Ind-> Safety Council Representatives Roasat R. Wallaci. Worcester Safety Council Walt** Durr Smith. Delaware Safety Council Caju. L. Smith. Cleveland Safety Council E. 1. CBud. Ja-, Louisville Safety Council R. B. FoarutH. Lehigh Valley Safety Council W. J. Mu.rn is. Chippewa County Safety Council Sectional Representatives Etwee J- Aoami. Paper and Pulp . M. Aluck, Metals . \V. Dempcsy. Food . \V. r.taas. Minina . C. Holdem. Ja.. Marine - art J. Kklley. Wood Products . U Uotc*. ASSE-Enjtfneelnjt Past Presidents HonniT W. Cntmu IjRW n. pALKEa CMAatxs P. Tqcjcak AaTMua H. Yoi'KC Macvs A. Dow I.kwis A. Danu>is Cabl B. A cel Charles . Scott VYalthr O. King Lt.-Col. HaKar A. ItEKiNCWi' C. Euccxe PrmaoHc C*ai. W. lltacQciTT Jamrs !. HaKasm John E. Lohc Honorary Members P-NSC-33 ; i r 5 i ? f ,; ~ T T. ; ST, 1 H. QnjdjuiA&wiL f' epartment for Physicians and Laymen Lesser Known Facts About Occupational Diseases By ROBERT B. HUNT, M.D. American Mutual LtabUUu lmuranee Company ROBABLY the leader in the pa rade of industrial diseases is an acute or chronic inflammation of the skin which we call dermatitis. This disease may present itself in any type of shop, factory or foundry. Any paste, powder, gas or liquid which comes in contact with the employee's skin, even the water supplied by the town in which he lives or works, may be the potential cause of such a skin disturbance. The wide diversity of causes, to gether with the varying susceptibility of different individuals, makes the problem of control difficult. Much investigation is under way to determine why one person may be sus ceptible to a certain substance while an other is not. It has been proved many times that a poisonous substance formed within the body has been able to prolong the action started by some external in fluence. A printer developed a marked dermatitis from ink which persisted for two years. Finally food tests were made and showed that he was susceptible to lettuce. Removing this from his diet cleared the skin. He returned to his usuaLoccupction vilibcut a return of symptoms. The poisoning of allergic substances is usually an accumulative process. It takes time to produce a manifestation of disease, but let any other substance cause the disease, and the irritating food may be of sufficient strength to mag nify its action. All cases of dermatitis cannot be cured by eliminating offending foods, but further investigation along these lines may give us a clue with which to lessen the loss of time from work and the discomfort now produced by in dustrial dermatitis. Metals Lead: The distribution of lead poisoning is quite extensive. The skin of the body is a protective covering, and as long as it remains in tact it does a good job except in the case of tetraethyi lead, which is used in blending gasoline and which is readily absorbed through the skin, having a tendency to create changes in the nerv ous system. The effect of other forms of lead, through that avenue of entrance, 'is practically nil, which explains the ex tremely low poisoning rate in typeset ters, painters and others who continually come in contact with metallic lead. Lead in any form, introduced through the mouth, acts rather slowly when com pared with the inhalation of lead dust or fumes. However, no matter what the portal of entry may be, lead is acted upon by the body fluids and so con verted that it may eventually be de posited within the bones. Those bony safe deposit vaults may retain their lead contents for days or for years, and if the exposure is removed, may also free the employee of all signs and symptoms of lead poisoning. But imagine the surprise of that supposedly cured person when years later, perhaps following some type of infectious disease or the excessive use of alcoholic bever ages, he awakes to find that he suffers the aches and pains and paralyses of an acute lead poisoning. As the body fluids alter lead that it may be deposited, so may those fluids attempt to de-lead the bodv. and ton ranid ahimtion max- nrn- duce the original disease with all its dis comforts. One can readily see, then, that in some cases investigation of previous occupa tions is quite necessary to determine the original contact with lead. Heating of molten lead causes a black scum-of lead suboxide to form on its surface, and the heat from the metal disburses the fine powder into the air. Hence, in the process of smelting ores such as zinc, copper and silver, mixed with lead, we find a rather high lead poisoning rate. Those engaged in the manufacture oi lead wire and cables, batteries, glass, pottery and rubber industries, plumbers and users of dry colors offer their share of lead poisoning cases. Probably the greatest source of lead poisoning may be found among those who sandpaper, scrape, chip or burn lead paint, for the dust and fumes caused by those activities are rather rapid in their action. Such workers may become in; capacitated in a few days because the inhalation of lead dust causes the maxi mum amount of absorption into the blood stream in the minimum space ot time. Chromium: Chromium is a metal widely used as a foundation for colors, and dusts from its various salts may produce lesions of the skin and mucous membranes of the nose. Chromium plat ing by electrolysis may cause fumes which are similarly irritating. Although ^ chromium poisoning does not' 'visually cause death, the number of days of ab sence from work on account of :nc3' pacity which it causes is gradual!;- 'creasing. Other Metals: The most efficient portals of entry of foreign substances into the body are the nose and inut The smaller the dust (the size of particles for example, the greater 1 speed of absorption by the blood. from hot metals carry not only P0.15* but numerous minute dust par*11- Thtc *k*  ' ->'"K electric cutting and welding. ...... mind, particularly when dealing with the industrial field has been widely dis When men are so employed over a silicosis and nsbestosis, relates to the tributed and most important. Led bv prolonged period of time, the constant progression of such disease. When carbon tetrachloride and its chemically inhalation of fumes and dust might pro changes occur within the lungs as a re associated members, it has furnished in duce symptoms of the metal upon which sult of the presence of such dusts, nature dustry with refrigerants, excellent sob they work. In the shipbuilding trade, forms scar tissue to heal such lesions vents for rubber, wax, oil and grease particularly in the construction of metal but may fail to stop when the job is thinners for lacquers and a very ships, we find occasional cases of metal- finished. As a result, the continuation household necessity for the removal of fume fever. "Brass chills" and "spelter of that healing process may lead to such spots from clothes. Hospitals have been shakes" from zinc are names applied by structural changes within the lungs that using it more and more for the removal the lay people to-such diseases.- The ter partial or -total incapacity may follow of. adhesive plaster.. _ _ rific beat applied to some of our com months or years after the employee has Due to the non-flammability of car mon metals and alloys by acetylene been removed from his dusty occupa bon tetrachloride, it is used in fire ex torches produces sufficient fumes to tion. tinguishers. The rapid evaporation pro cause a temporary incapacity in 24 hours. Permanent disability from such Benzol-Benzene duces fumes which may smother a small blaze, but we must not forget that ex causes is rare, however. Diseases Due to Dust Twenty-five per cent of all workers exposed to high concentrations of inor ganic dust are expected to develop changes within their lungs due to that agency. We are at a loss to explain why the other 75 per cent are not so affected. Mining, quarrying, foundry work, grinding, sandblasting, abrasive soap manufacturing, asbestos work, the mak ing of emery and carborundum products and many other occupations offer op portunities for employees to inhale mic roscopic dust particles and create a foundation for possible future inca pacity. We are interested particularly in those men who work with sandstone, quartz, flint, granite, and sand, because they expose themselves to silica, and the chemical changes between that dust and the body fluids, in the presence of tuber culosis, may and usually do lead to a fatal ending. It is safe to say, in light of our present knowledge, that the action of other in organic dusts is much less virulent and incapacitating. That, however, does not allow us to lower the vigilant methods Benzol is a distillate of coal tar used extensively in industry. It is an essentrial ingredient in the manufacture of explosives. It is an excellent solvent for grease, oils and cements, and because of that property it is important in many phases of the rubber and cleaning indus tries. In the manufacture of shoes ben zol may be an ingredient of the dressing applied to the leather and of the cement which fastens the heels and soles. Not only in the shoe trade but in other branches of industry where employees work with gummy, sticky material, the workers soon learn of the solvent and cleansing action of this liquid and use it freely for that purpose upon them selves. The subsequent outbreak of skin afflictions may be the first indication of such unauthorized use. Benzol is extremely poisonous, enter ing either through the nose or mouth or absorbed through the skin. Its action within the body is varied and may pro duce a multitude of signs and symptoms. The bone marrow becomes affected which in turn alters the character of the blood; hemorrhages are common; it may cause death. The fumes from benzol are heavier than air and lie near the floor, which is an important point in the engineering cessive heat of the actual fire may bring about combustion sufficient to produce such by-products as hydrochloric acid and phosgene gas . Like its associated member, choloroform, it may produce sleep when inhaled by an individual, and only 1/350 of an ounce in a quart of air is necessary to produce such action. That thought must be remembered when a large quantity of those liquid products is spilled on the floor, perhaps accidentally. Action should be started at once before the liquid gasifies, and employes should be notified to keep their heads up to avoid the low ceiling of gas. Chemists have developed and intro duced to industry many new products, the basis of which is the chlorinated hy drocarbons. These derivatives of petro leum distillation are frequently combined with those from coal tar to form valua ble chemical combinations. They have been placed on the market so rapidly that medical science has been unable to determine their physiological effect upon the health of man. We have known that some of these chemicals are capable of creating changes in the liver, and oniy recently in a city in Massachusetts one of these newer products caused the death of two employees and a battle to retain life among two others. to improve dust control and protect em problem of ventilation. ployees, because all dusty occupations The members of the benzene group Carbon Monoxide are'puCSndal trouble makers." ' are absorbed through the skin, and more You remember the adage: "Wherr Although the actions of various dusts cases of poisoning are found when men there is smoke, there is fire." We micht differ within the body, the exposure to asbestos fibres, present in the weaving and grinding of dry asbestos material, offers another type of dust which may cause fatalities among workers. perspire than when their bodies are cool. Probably the answer to that is that the fumes may solidify as they cool and the powder may settle on the skin. The sweat on the body may dissolve this add to that, "Where there is fire there ' carbon monoxide." This odorless but poisonous sas "w> occur in any industry or in any home but the poorer the ventilation the better The organic dusts from cotton, silk, wool, tobacco, flour and similar sub stances are practically harmless. Such dust so that it is more readily absorbed through the increased surface blood supply. the chance of producing physical ir capacity. Since the advent of the motor -ir dusts rarely reach the lungs but may cause irritation of the windpipe and Chlorinated Hydrocarbons whose exhaust pipe may pour forth ' high as six per cent of carbon mentis larger air-tubes and result at the most in This group of petroleum derivatives ide, we are all exposed to that gas. Pi_ a mild bronchitis. has been known tn science for years but ticularly in crowded cities. The a./ passenger ear liucrates auuui cubic feet per minute, and one can readily estimate the physical damage that may be done if such a motor is allowed to run within the doors of a poorly ven'ilated garage or shop. For ' Ferrosilicon a.. tunately, serious cases of such poison ing are not common among those em Industrial Data Sheet D-Chem. 20 / ployed in public garages, but many em ployes are likely to complain of head ache and faintness at the end of a day's work, especially in colder weather when doors and windows remain closed. In the steel industry, where gas is used as the heating agency in the blast furnaces, care must be taken to provide proper ventilation. Within the mines, workers are warned to allow enough A. Problem 1. What are the hazards of ferrosilicon and what precautions are necessary in its use? B. Hazards 2. The principal hazard is that of poisoning by inhalation of the gases that ized by general and abdominal pains, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hemor rhages, loss- of consciousness, dilated pupils, cold clammy perspiration and coma. Cases of poisoning have beer, mistaken for cholera, gastroenteritis, ptomaine poisoning, pneumonia and in fluenza. time following blasts for the escape of may be given off, especially in the First Aid this gas. presence of moisture. 6. When a person displays any Infection The skin is a protective covering of the body against infection and is ex tremely efficient as long as it remain in tact, but allowing it to be broken or punc tured introduces bacteria, and a battle ensues between the offensive agencies of infection and the defensive powers of the body. The winner of such a struggle may determine the presence or absence of incapacity. Infections are common throughout industry, but two types are particularly prominent--infection re sulting from anthrax and infection among meat packers and fishermen. Many of our fur, hair or woolcovered animals may contract anthrax. The germs of that disease defy the ordinary methods of sterilization and may linger on hides, bristles or hairs for long periods of time. Tanners, wool sorters, and hair or bristle workers may introduce the anthrax spore beneath their skin and undergo much physical suffering and sometimes death. Infections are frequently found among meat and fish packers and those engaged in deep sea fishing. Although death rarely occurs, the loss of fingers, hands and nasty septic wounds are the result. "Summary ~ I feel that the time has come when an employer must demand of a manufac turer the answers to two questions: 1. How will your product affect my hu'incss? 2. How will your product affect the health uf my employees? That employer is entitled to honest answers based upon sufficient chemical and physiological examinations of the questionable product. Too many lives have been lost or jeopardized by too little knowledge of a product's action * ' * . --i* C. Discussion 3. Ferrosilicon is prepared by melting iron ore or steel shavings with coal or coke and ganister or quartz at a temper ature of about 2,000 degrees centigrade (3,632 degrees Fahrenheit) in an elec tric furnace. In making steel, ferrosflicon is used for removing objectionable gases and oxides and also as an alloying dement. When alloyed with cast iron, it affects the carbides and renders the iron soft and gray. More concentrated silicon alloys are sometimes used in cer tain processes for making hydrogen gas and in the manufacture of explosives. .4 The hazard in connection with fer rosilicon results from very small percent ages of phosphorus together with other dements which may be present as im purities originating in the raw materials used. In the presence of moisture the phosphorus compounds react to form phosphoreted hydrogen or phosphine. This is a gas which in sufficient quanti ties is decidedly poisonous. It has a strong and distinctive odor somewhat re sembling garlic so that its presence can be readily recognized. The stability of ferrosilicon depends upon its silicon con tent, grades below 48 percent and above 65 percent being entirely stable and ferrosilicon in these ranges does not give off any appreciable quantities of phosphine, even in the presence of moisture. It is, therefore, only in the intermediate range between 48 percent and 65 percent that there is any appre ciable hazard. Symptoms of Poisoning 5. When a person has breathed poison ous gases -liberated from ferrosilicon. the symptoms of poisoning usually de velop quite suddenly and are character symptoms of poisoning because of the inhalation of the poisonous gases lib erated by ferrosilicon, he should be promptly removed to the fresh air and. if conscious, be given a mild alkali drink. If unconscious, the prone pressure method of artificial respiration should be started immediately after the patient has been removed to the fresh air. In all cases of poisoning the services of a doctor should be promptly obtained. Precautions 7. FemJsilicon should be stored away from such places as offices and work rooms or living quarters of any descrip tion. 8. All buildings in which ferrosilicon is stored should be well ventilated and dry. (See Note X.) Ordinarily, in an open factory building the natural venti lation through monitors in the roof or through windows is sufficient if the fer rosilicon is kept dry. 9. If men are required to handle wet ferrosilicon in a confined space, artificial ventilation should be provided. 10. In case phosphine has been al lowed to accumulate in a closely con fined space such as a dosed room or box car, so that a strong odor of the gas is noticeable, no one, unless he is wearing a suitable gas mask..ot~ffesh air hosemask, should be allowed to enter the room until it has been thoroughly ven"lated. (See Note Y.) NOTE X. Detailed Information on vencil*' lion will he found in National Safety Counc Safe Practice* Pamphlet No, 37 "ladu*tr* Yentiiatioa."1 NOTE Y. Detailed information oo fresh *' hose masks will be found in National X** Cnuneil Safe Practices Pamphlet N- -Resniratnr*. (ias Masks. Hose Mask* # llrffilhltu Apparatus.** National Safety Council, Inc. 20 North Wacker Drive _ Chicago, 111.