III. Provides for the method of permitting the exceptions
named above in sections 2 and 3, and makes it a condition of
reduction in cubic air space for each person employed as type
founder or compositor that there shall be adequate mechanical
ventilation for regulating temperature and carrying off
products of combustion from workrooms.
Ceramic Industry
(See also pp. 135-8.)
A complete substitute for lead in glazes seems as yet impossible on
technical grounds, as glaze containing lead has qualities which cannot
be obtained without its use. In small works the technique necessary
for the production of leadless glazes (special kinds of stoves) cannot
be expected, especially as those carrying on a small industry lack the
necessary knowledge of how to be able to dispense with the use of lead
glazes and substitute leadless materials without complete alteration
in their methods of manufacture. And yet discontinuance or the utmost
possible limitation of the use of lead glazes and colours is most
urgently needed in all small ceramic workshops, as they are not in a
position to put in localised exhaust ventilation, &c., which is possible
in large factories. Observance of even the simplest hygienic measures can
scarcely be obtained. Consequently very severe cases of lead poisoning
are met with in small works. An effort in the direction of discontinuance
of lead glazes was made in Bohemia, where (at the cost of the State)
technical instruction was given by an expert on the preparation of
leadless glazes especially in districts where the industry was carried
on in the homes of the workers. This procedure, extension of which is
expected, had good results.
Many have demanded, in view of the possibility of substituting leadless
for lead glazes, the total prohibition of lead. Such is the view of the
Dutch inspector De Vooys; Teleky and Chyzer share the view expressed so
far as the small industry is concerned, since the practicability of the
change has been demonstrated.
English authorities (Thorpe, Oliver) propose diminution of the lead in
the glaze in such a way that on shaking with weak acid not more than a
specified small quantity shall be dissolved (Thorpe test). In my opinion
such a measure is hardly enough for the small industry. I do not expect
much good from obligatory use of fritted glazes.
In addition to earthenware, manufacture of tiles and bricks leads not
infrequently to cases of lead poisoning from use of lead glaze.
The following measures apply to the larger ceramic works. Since risk
is considerable, not only in glost placing but also in grinding,
ware-cleaning, &c., closed ball mills in grinding and locally applied
exhaust ventilation in ware-cleaning operations, &c., must be arranged.
Personal cleanliness and proper equipment of a factory in all the
essentials insisted on on pp. 226-9 are important, but nothing can take
the place of efficient locally applied ventilation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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