| Show c. c 1 You and Your Health V By MORRIS FISHBEIN Editor Journal of ih the lb American Medical Association and of the th Health Hulth Magazine If It there Is any group of workers likely to suffer sutter more than others from materials associated with industry It is men who are concerned concerned con con- with painting in all its forms Many different types of ot chemIcals chemIcals' chemIcals chemIcals' chemicals chem chem- are used In modern paints House painters use oils and turpentine turpentine turpentine tur tur- tur- tur with pigments derived from copper and lead They also use varnishes driers and caustic substances any of which may be associated with production of Ir IrrItations Irritations Ir- Ir to tho the skin or with dis dis- disease ease Painters also use a product called white spirit derived from petroleum This substance adds riot not only to the danger from fire and explosion but also to the danger of oC poisoning Incidentally the tho disagreeable odor of white spirit is disguised by such chemicals chemicals chem chem- as and amyl acetate acetate acetate ace ace- tate which introduce other hazards hazards hazards haz haz- ards of ot poison polson It may be bo seen merely from ei a listing of ot these materials that the house painter or decorator is subject sub sub- sect to some extraordinary haz ards Painters of or motor cars and coaches suffer from other hazards peculiar to that industry which attend such processes as rubbing with pumice polishing and dipping dipping dipping dip dip- ping and use of poisonous mix mix- tures For years it has been known that white lead is particularly poisonous and that painting Involving in involving in In- use of oC this substance is 13 isa isa a dangerous occupation Among cases of lead poisoning 27 per cent of oC the victims were painters In addition to lead poisoning however painters were found to tobe tobe tobe be suffering from inflammations of ot the kidneys and from disturbances disturbances disturbances disturb disturb- ances of the heart associated with degeneration of or the tissues brought about by factors concerned concerned concerned con con- in their work Many of these conditions are insidious in their onset and men afflicted with slight degrees of ot poisoning w will go on working for many years not realizing the extent extent ex ex- tent to which their bodies are beIng beIng being be be- ing affected by the chemicals with which they work Incidentally as an indication of the special hazards of this oc occupation occupation occupation oc- oc painters are found to todie todie todie die earlier and more often from tuberculosis than are carpenters and other artisans Workmen employed In small smal rooms handling such substances as turpentine or similar chemicals arc especially subject to Inflammations of the lungs and of the kidneys The linings of or the throat the bronchial tubes and the tho surface of the eyes are affected by fumes set free by chemicals especially when they are used hot As a result there occur fibrous changes as well as inflammations of ot these tissues Thus the principal danger Inthe Inthe in inthe the painting industry arises from use of lead and its compounds but there are other dangers associated associated associated as as- with various chemicals Whenever lead compounds are used precautionary measures are aro helpful in lessening the risk The contact of the worker with the lead must be diminished by use of gloves and special masks to control Inhalation of ot dust Workmen should in addition wear special overalls and take them off as soon as they leave the workshop Outside clothing should be kept in a cupboard protected from the dust so that it will not carry any out when workers leave Workers Yorkers should also be provided provided provided pro pro- vided with washing accommodations soap nail brushes and towels so as to wash their hands frequently while at their tasks Workmen In the lead industry should never cat eat or smoke during work and should also wash the mouth frequently but particularly particularly particularly at the end of ot the day Workmen also should arrange to have physical examinations at least once every six months an anthis anthis anthis this should take lake special account of the early symptoms of lead poisoning |
