Document 4QB5MrQDoE8jKLxJ0wQZo8ZpV

Itn. Me* - Hi 4k Ymt Lmm Of JmtmI * Mm Wertd PvbliMMd Meetaiy It Industrial Publications, Inc^ 59 & Van Buron Si., Chicago, UL. Caeyright m* M. towwOwg. Nkltffcf. MM^Tnniw; Fred L JteiMied. VJee^reudert and Edi*ec I. 9. Smith, Ytc+tmidtM end Efm Megrt C X. jK*t. A*`t. Fvbirdier, Secrettry AaiiMwt Treeaerer: Hrfe*ft V. Kaeeeei. Maag>g Editor: Jmi M. lao, Aaociet* Editor: M. t. Fontr. it., Tocftrieaf r-<d Editor; J. C. tidiftwod: Wo. C. Minch, Cotter* Editor E. M. St*m. FHnbergli. tmimm Owtuwtil: F. A. Gaiono*. ImImh Wg*r F#l ftroow. k. C Smith. W Bth Street, iectioe HeigMl, U |,, New Yert. Sebtcrietltms iSJO Yeoi+r: Siegle Ce<t (Cvrrettt luce) SO CH. Oeeteored to Frerea < Mm Cloy lodetwy September, 1936 VoL 89, No. 3 We*re Out of the Depression And On the Way Up Clay Products Shipments Increase 79.5% Over 1935 end the Industry is Operating at More Than 50% of Normal-- Purchases of Clay Machinery Also Rise to 50% of Normal URING th past six year* there is overwhelming evidence that elay brick and tile are probably being used D here bees * great many hot products are being used in construction' to a greater extent than during the stove economists who, for leek in just as large a proportion of the building boom of the *20s. of somethin; constructive to do. trtioetdal building volume as ever before. Increased activity among brick and their hand at making forecasts and In the field of residential construction tile plants is unmistakable. According prognostications concerning the build ing industry. Among the gratui tous opinions offered there were many predieting a complete revo lution in building. Prefabricated con struction. using so-called new ma terials sueh as steel sheets, plywood, porcelain enamel, glass, and others, was going to take the place of the standard `Id-line materials, they said. "Brick and tile are out of the picture because they cost too much to lay, and modem materials are different.** All too often the clay products industry has heard this pronouncement of doom. How true have these predictions been? Here we are at the beginning of a revival in building, the chief market for clay product*, and we find the clay products industry accelerating produc tion and shipments at a paee equal to and in some instances actually exceed The splendid record of recovery which the clay products industry has made in 1936 is graphically shown here. Increases in common and faee brick ship* ments actually exceed the increases in the building volume. Figures from ing the pace set by construction. There Department of Commerce reporta and F. W. Dodge. SEPTEMBER. 1936 Advortisort* index on Page 119 81 When and How Silicosis Can Be Contracted Only Dust Containing Free Silica in Very finely Divided State Can Cause Silicosis--Control of Dust Conditions and Periodic Examinations Essential A. J. Lanza, M. D. DJ**sr. Uf* Cs.. N Yo* C> THAT certain kinds of diut cause damage to the lungs when inhaled has been known for centuries. Even the aneients knew that there was a definite relationship between mining in certain kinds of rock and a disease which was evidenced by short-winded ness. which they called asthma. A number of other terms have been used to describe this condition, such as min er's consumption, miner's phthisis, grinder's rot, and potter's asthma--all meaning the same disease which is now generally known throughout the world as-silicosis. In modern times, the introduction of tools operated by compressed air. used for drilling, cutting, and shipping rock, has caused dust diseases of the lungs to become fairly wide-spread and to be an important source of disability among industrial workers. There is only one kind of dust that produces a typical disease, with characteristic symptoms, which we call silicosis, and that is dust containing free silica (SiO) in a very finely divided state. Dusts containing silica in combination, with the exception of asbestos, are not, as far as we know, responsible for any appreciable amount of disability. air lobules where the* physiological process of breathing takes place. Most of the dust particles which get into the lungs are between one and three mi crons in size (a micron is 1/25000 of an inch). At the most, tea microns would be the largest size which will reach the lungs. The second important fact, therefore, to remember about sili cosis is that silica dust must be exceed ingly fine before it can penetrate the lungs. Furthermore, a silica dust is harm ful ia proportion to the amount of sil ica it contains. Obviously the higher the percentage of silica, the more dan gerous the dust, so that we see the most aggravated, or what is sometimes called the "classical* form of silieosis. under those circumstances where the dust is almost pure silica (chert, flint quartz). We base our estimation of the severity of the silica dust hazard in any given situation upon the amount of silica contained in the dust and upon the amount of dust in the air. For determining the amount of dust in the air. the standard method devel oped by the United States Fublie Health Service and United States Bu reau of Mines is used ta this country. The instrument used is known as the impinger and the results obtained are remarkably accurate. Other instru ments are in use. but in this country the impinger is standard. When dust samples are taken in industrial estab lishments, the result is expressed in millions of particles, under ten mi crons in diameter, per cubic foot of air. One advantage of the impinger is that it can operate continuously, making it possible to obtain very large air sam ples. which in turn tends to cut down the margin of error. The instrument is simple, can be readily moved and set up. and, as a rule, is placed on a level with and near the faces of the workmen so as to sample the actual air which they inhale. From the health viewpoint, we have no hard and fast limits of sir dusti ness. with respect to whet is safe or what is dangerous. The various stud ies which have been made, however, seem to indicate that if the dust con tains sny appreciable amount of free silica, the dust count should be kept Nose Is Effective Filter The human body has a very efficient protective mechanism against inhaling dusts in the atmosphere. The construc tion of the nose, the naso-pharynx, and the wind-pipe is such that these pas sages filter out from the air much of the foreign material that may be in it. It is only when this protective mechan ism is subjected to continuous severe straining that it breaks down. Silicosis is a disease which comes on very gradually and, in most forms of industrial exposure, takes from 10 to 15 and even 20 years to develop. This is one of the important facts about silicosis which should be kept in mind. A great deal of laboratory research has established definitely that dust par ticles, to get into the lung, have to he exceedingly small, so fine, indeed, that they can traverse the terminal air pussages or bronchioles and thus reach the Largely because so little is known about H, the subject of silicosis is erecting considerable apprehensior day products manufacturers. Although day plat not suffered from legal action to the same extent branches of the industry, still there heve been s of suits and in all probability there will be mere. Already a number of states have adopted com| legislation for silicosis and in soma instances the rexorbitant and unreasonable end not justified by lively small hazard involved in day products pi Dr. Lanza, tha author of this article, is perhaps most authority on this subject in the country ai marks should be read by all clay plant executive.. /% K below ten million jv '*ks. Cron ten portion to the general healthy appear teristic * y film. The physician million particles ol sighly ' ** " ance of many of the patients, T ? hould ki the severity of the ex- dezt is not a safe limit. Dust - . Jg is apt to be a dry cough and a tendv! _> a*ure and the length of time during requires a careful and accurate tech to "catch cold** frequently. Occasion which the individual has been exposed. nique and considerable experience is ally, there may be some spitting of A careful weighing of these facts en accessary before consistently reliable blood but it is unusual to have'a frank ables him to make a diagnosis. If the results are obtained. Industries are hemorrhage such as we see in consump X-ray film does not show the charac beginning to train laboratory techni tives. -- teristic appearance of silieosis, a posi cians to do this work, as in order to keep a dost hazard under control, pe riodic checking is essential. It was supposed formerly that the bad effect of inhaling silica dust was Symptoms of Silicosis As the disease progresses, pain*' in the chest are common and may give rise to considerable discomfort. When tive diagnosis cannot be made. As a rule, when the silicotie has also become tuberculous, we can determine that fact from the X-ray film. Occa sionally the examining physician will doe to the hardness and sharpness of tuberculosis has become planted upon see films from which it is not possible the dust particles themselves. We now silicosis, we may see the symptoms to state with certainty whether tuber know that this is not so. We do not eommonly associated with the former culosis is or is not present. It should know exactly how the dust acts in the disease, that is, profuse expectoration. be remembered that the absence of tu longs but the indications are that ailiea Iocs of appetite, loss of weight, night berculosis germs in the sputum does is a tissue poison. Whether it causes sweats, sad an afternoon rise of tem not rule out tuberculous infection. ita effects by going into solution or par perature. Sometimes these symptoms For accurate and satisfactory X-ray tial solution in tbe long tissue is still eome on with dramatic suddenness and diagnosis of silicosis, it is essential to a matter for further atudy. SQieoeis Leads to Tabereulotis the patient grows rapidly worse. ven have a good apparatus and to use it when it is obvious from the symptoms properly. In the same individual we and general condition of the patient can obtain films quite dissimilar in ap Besides its direct action upon the long tissue, one of the effects of con tinued exposure to silica dust, which has been noted in the various parts of the world where this disease has been studied, is that it causes the individual who has contracted silicosis to become peculiarly susceptible to tuberculosis. The more severe the silica dust expos ure, the more apt is tuberculosis to result. While silicosis may eause dis that tuberculosis is present, the gems of tuberculosis may not be found in the sputum until a relatively short time be fore death. Where the exposure to silica- dust has not been very severe, symptoms may not show up for many years; there may be some abort-wind, but it does not develop to a point sufficient to impair working ability and with this type of exposure, we frequently see pearance by varying the time of ex posure and the intensity of the cur rent; consequently, a correct technique is ail important. Mueh experimenta tion and study have indicated that, for uniformly satisfactory results, an X-ray apparatus should be used which is capable of taking a film at a dis tance of from forty-eight to seventytwo inches with an exposure not slower than one-tenth of a second. ability and death in the absence of men with silicosis still able to carry on We cannot obtain satisfactory film? tuberculous infection, it has not been their work in good shape, many of unless the patient bolds bis breath and frequently observed to do so is indus them having reached their sixties and the faster we can "shoot" him, the trial experience. seventies. In other words, where the more apt we are to get a good film. While it is possible for the individ silicosis hazard is mild, it may not While a well-advanced case of silicosis ual with silicosis to contract other shorten appreciably the individual's can generally be determined from a types of infection, tuberculosis is the working life. However, it should be single film, it is better to obtain stereo only one of real practical importance. remembered that if we study the mor scopic films. With stereoscopic films, Those individuals who die from silico tality figures of those exposed to what we are able to view two exposures in sis sre found, in the great majority of might be termed the less severe types a suitable viewing box whieh gives us cases, to have tuberculosis also. Just of silica exposure, we will find that the the third dimension, namely depth, and what is the relationship between these death-rate from tuberculosis among greatly lessens the chance of error, es two disease? is as yet unknown, but it them is greater than that for wage- pecially in early cases where precise would seem as if the presence of silica earners as a whole. diagnosis is so important. in the lung tissues makes a favorable situation for the growth of the germ Examination by X-Ray . It should be remembered that most of us who are. past our fortieth year of tuberculosis. When an individual If we examine a man who is in the will show various lines and shadows in with silicosis develops tuberculosis, the early or moderately advanced stage of the X-ray films of our chests which do latter may be essentially chronic and silicosis, we may find little on physical not indicate disease and are compatible run on for a number of years, but if examination to confirm the diagnosis. with good health. Consequently, he the exposure to silica has been very He may exhibit no physical signs other who takes it upon himself to interpret severe, the progress of tuberculosis than somewhat impaired breath sounds. X-ray films of dust diseases -of the may be quite rapid and cause death in If the man is heavily built, with large lung should be thoroughly familiar a few years after the infection has muscles, it is difficult to get any defi with the variations in the appearance first become manifest. nite impression from an oniinary phys of the ordinary, healthy chest. As would naturally be expected, sili ical examination. For this reason, we cosis comes on gradually and insidi have to turn to the X-ray film in order Early Snicoeia May Clear Vp ously. The first symptom is a short to establish a diagnosis. The appear If a man has early silieosis and is ness of breath on exertion. This ance of silicosis on the X-ray film is removed from further dust exposure, shortness of breath increases slowly definite and clear-cut and should not his disease may not progress and may but surely, and when the disease is well be confused with other diseases of the clear up somewhat. If the silicosis, established, will impair working abil chest. however, is well established--that is, if ity considerably or even cause total When making examinations of men, there is any considerable amount of disability. In the early and moder among whom it Is thought that there damage to the lungs--there is a tend ately advanced stages, the affected in might be silicosis, it is exceedingly im ency for the silicosis to progress even dividual looks well, may show' a tend portant to get a careful, accurate, oc after removal from further dust ex ency to put on weight, and aside from cupational history. Not every man who posure. There is some question as to the distress caused by physical exer is short-winded has silicosis, even whether in these cases the silicosis-ac tion. feels well. This short-wind, or though he may have been exposed to tually does progress unless the patient dyspnoea as the doctors cal) it. is a varying quantities of silica dust at one is also infected. t Where there is a very clearcut and definite symptom and time or another. The diagnosis is marked progress, after exposure to in well established cases, it is notable based upon a history of exposure to dust has ceased, it is probable that tu because it seems to be so out of pro silica dust together with the charac bercle infection is present. ..... SEPTEMBER. 1936 91- la a paper published ia 1934, Lama It is announced by Joseph B. Hutchi and Vase endeavored to estimate the number of persons exposed-to the sil ica dust hazard in industry. It was not possible to make an accurate esti mate. but from the statistics avail son of Houston, secretary-treasurer of the company. Construction has been started on the first of two round downdraft kilns which will have a capacity of 125,000 brick each. Hr. Hutchison said. Sacred Cows N the superstitious religions I of India meny things ere con! sidered sacred and untouch able. it would seem that there are at The pleat at present is manufactur least a half million persons so exposed ing common brick only, but the quality able. No Hindu, for instance, and that this figure is quite conserva and color are such that most of the out would slaughter a sacred cow or J i I tive. Among those trades and indus tries having a' silica hazard are found those included under the general head ing of ceramic industry in this coun put is being used for face brick. Cedar Bayou red elay bums to colors rang* ing from a dark brown, gray and red to salmon. One of the first brick manufacturing otherwise interfere with it's well being. Not even the thought of doing so would occur to him be try. In fact, some of the earliest plants in Texas was established here cause. for generations, he has studies of silicosis were made ia Eng -more than one hundred years ago and lish potteries where the disease was the industry has continued without in been surrounded with this and known as "potter's tot.'* A compre terruption since that early beginning. many other tabus and he accepts hensive report on silicosis in the pot tery industry was published ia Eng Residential Building land in 1926. Recent studies have also been made in Danish potteries. In For August 2*/2 Times *35 them as a matter of course. From the heights of our en lightenment we smile at the be the United States, Dr- Paul A. Quaintance published a study of pottery workers in the American Journal of Public Health ia December, 1934. Glass, porcelain enamel, pottery and refractories all present silica dust haz ards ia some phases of the work. All ia ait it may be estimated that the number of persons exposed to silica dust ia the ceramic industry is roughly 75,000- Much of this hazard is mild or moderate, some of it is severe. Ia sny instance, the method of dealing with the hazard la the same: 1. Every possible effort must be made to prevent silica dust from get ting into the air where it can be in haled by the workman. This Implies controlling the dust at the point of origin either by exhaust systems or en closing the process. It is very seldom that engineering skill cannot cope with any situation that presents itself. It may be expensive but in the long run is less so than damage suits and claims Residential building started during August attained a level of activity not seen since March, 1931. according to figures just released by F. W. Dodge Corp. Not only did the August volume exceed the figure for July by about 41 per cent but last month's record of resi dential building contracts was 2 Hr times the size reported for August, 1935. For the 3? eastern states and the District of Columbia the figures follow: August. 1936 July, 1936 August. 1935 *100422400 *71.933,700 *40428400 Part of the current gains are attrib utable to accelerated activities under the PWA housing program, but the bulk of residential work undertaken in August represented private operations. Gains in residential work, as compared with totals for August, 1935, were well distributed geographically, with each major area in the territory east of the Rocky Mountains sharing in the gen eral advance. The total volume of construction awards, covering all types of work, un dertaken in the 37 eastern states dur ing August amounted to *275481.400: nighted Hindu. Stilt, he would probably enjoy a laugh or two at our expense if he were aware of some of the customs that are peculiar to us. It's alt in the ' point of view. "Sacred Cows" are no rarity anywhere. We alt have our hab its and peculiarities--things we do for no other reason than be cause we have always done them. Business, too. has its sacred cows, its traditions. Every fac tory. no matter how efficient, ? has some peculiar habits or meth ods of doing certain things for which there is no excuse except that "we have always done it that way." for total and permanent disability. 2. Where the dust cannot be entire ly eliminated, respirators, of a type approved by the Government, should be supplied and their use insisted upon. For some types of work, a positive pressure face mask Is desirable. 3. Applicants for work should be this was in contrast with *294,734400 reported for July of this year and rep resents a gain of about 63 per cent over the figure of *168457400 reported for August, 1935. The decline from July was chiefly the mult f decreased con tract lettings for civil engineering proj ects under the PWA program. The chances are good that you are not even aware of the sacred cows in your plant. Like the boss's habit of clearing his throat--you don't notice It be cause you have grown accus 1 ` ! ; examined to make sure that men with tuberculosis are not exposed to a dust ! U. S. A. TRIP A SUCCESS tomed to it. It is a case of familiarity, not ; hazard. 4. Employes who are or have been exposed to a silica hazard should be examined from time to time to guard against serious lung damage and to detect possible tuberculosis. The ceramic industry must attack dust and dusty processes with the same energy, determination and intelligence with which they have attacked safety hazards. There is no reason why they should not be as successful in dealing with dust hazards as with safety Haz ards. j Th# Editor. BRICK 6 CLAY RECORD, i Cfclceqo. ill. | Oeer S<n ] "l reecked Sydney !* cuyt tqo | end new writ* to tip'iit my epsrecie* tion of tti# very qreet help you end your 1 iteff q*v* me durinq my recent visit to America. ''Without th* esmUnea end Inferme- j tion which you very kindly pieced et my ! disoosel I would hev* been centiderebly , I hampered. Put owing to your kitid efforts ! I think my trip ws quite successful, j "If ever I can be of any service to . in this ease breeding contempt, but dulling the edge of percep tion. We need an outside source of ideas to hetp dear up this astig matism--to disturb the compla cence with which we view fa miliar errors. Brick & Clay Rec ord performs this function for its I readers. Sooner or later you I will read in these pages some- ) you. plees* 00 not hesitet* to *tk me. j I thing that will open your eyes Lighthouse Brick Co. "With kind reoards." | Yours vary truly. 1 and enable you to recognize Increases Capacity George P. Coealand. j sacred cows yog have been hoc.* The Lighthouse Brick Co., Inc- will I increase the capacity of its Cedar Baynu, Texas, plant from 25,000 brick Goodie! & Smith. LtdGrsnvill*. N. S. W., Australia. 1 boring in your plant. The / American / Ceramic / &/ Society ii February 15,1993 I hereby certify that the attached copies of Brick & Clay Record, Volume 89,1936, are true and accurate copies, which are maintained in the normal course of business at the American Ceramic Society, 735 Ceramic Place, Westerville, Ohio 43081. Christine Schnitzer Product Manager Ceramic Information Center 735 Ceramic Place Westerville, Ohio 43081-8720 614*890*4700 TWX: 7101109409 * The American Ceramic, Society / February 15.1993 I hereby certify that the attached copies of Brick & Clay Record, Volume 89,1936, are true and accurate copies, which are maintained in the normal course of business at the American Ceramic Society, 735 Ceramic Place, Westerville, Ohio 43081. Christine Schnitzer Product Manager Ceramic Information Center 735 Ceramic Place Westerville, Ohio 43081*8720 614 890 4700 TWX:'7101109409