SERPENTINE MIXTURE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 27, 27 October 1942, Page 2

SERPENTINE MIXTURE

Complaints Of Dustiness Dominion Special Service. AUCKLAND, October 26. Appeals have been forwarded to the Government by fertili-zer mixers that they should be permitted to purchase supplies of pure superphosphate instead of serpentine-superphosphate mixture, the requests being based on the allegation that the extra dustiness of the mixture is causing throat and chest trouble to the men engaged In combining the mixture with other fertilizers. Communications addressed to the Departments of Agriculture and Health have stated that men doing the mixing work have suffered attacks of throat and chest trouble through InD haling fine dust of mica and asbestos from the ground serpentine. The Department of Agriculture, however, has refused permission to buy pure super-' phosphate, even at a higher price.

Manufacturers of fertilizers who arc now engaged in handling serpentine on ftjil-scale production stated that ser-pentine-superphosphate, because of its greater dryness, was certainly dustier than pure superphosphate. Dust of itself, however, was not harmful. Superphosphate dust had, over .many years ‘been proved non-injuriotis to the respiratory system, and there was at the present stage no reason to presume that dust from the serpentinesuperphosphate mixture would be any more objectionable. Appeals from farmers continue to be sent to the Government for the right to buy unmixed superphosphate, even at a higher price. After experience of spreading of the drier serpentine mixture, it has been stated tliat the dust problem will make labour for top-dressing more difficult to obtain.