Arsenic in Paper

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 145, 18 May 1886, Page 3

Arsenic in Paper

An arttele on " Arsenic as a Domestic Pouwn," bj Dr E. S. Wo#d, inthe annual report of the M essachussetta Board of Health, charge* many cases of disease upon manufacturers of various coloured papers. Wall paper is the most common source of domestic Arsenical poisoning ; green P*P*r* are not tile ontyones, but arsenic is found more commonly in wall papers of other colours. The cost of the paper is not a test, for expensive papers often' contain it, while cheap •neßl3ft> not. The most dangerous o( other fatten are the glased and plated; so' lively used by children in &ndergarten aohoofc. Seme of these p^pjarsbontain large quantities of arsenic, and are particularly dangerous, because children are inclined to put things in. their mouths. Similar coloured papers are used for covering boxes whioh often contain confectionery, and for wrapping it. These poisonous papers are also wed in the manufncture of theatre tickets, playing cards, and everything «lse that is made from cardboard. Green colour is not to be reHed on as yrincMyfly, poisonous, for red, brown, and wue ir# specially arsenical. Arsenic ii used in linen glaze, and paper collars and oufiEs. German fly paper it made by soaking coarse Dibulous paper in a strong solution of arsenite of sodium and avowing it to dry. The following articles contain anenical pigments, cues, or merduants : — Paper, fancy, and surface coloured, for covering cardboard boxes, for labels of all kinds, for advertising cards, for playing cards, for wrappers and cases for sweetmeats, for the ornamentation of children's toys, for covering books, for lamp shades, for paper hangings, for artificial leaves and flowers, lithographic colour printing, book cloth and fancy bindings. Arsenical poisoning is produced by contact with objects containing arsenic, by inhaling the poisonous dust and gas thatcomefrom them, and byswallowing the material. Dr Wood writes with xaaekx thought and care on the symptoms of this poisoning, and gives a long list of illustrative cases that prove fceyond question that arsenical papers cau^e serious acute complaints, and, inqpjsd, many instances of death.— Paper World.