The report of the Union of Chemical Industry for 1905 cites a case
where an agitating vessel, in which, by action of acid on caustic
liquor, sulphuretted hydrogen gas was given off and drawn away by a fan,
had to be stopped to repair one of the paddles. The flow of acid and
liquor was stopped, and the cover half removed. The deposit which had
been precipitated had to be got rid of next in order to liberate the
agitator. The upper portion of the vessel was washed out with water,
and since no further evolution of sulphuretted hydrogen was possible
from any manufacturing process, the work of removing the deposit was
proceeded with. After several bucketfuls had been emptied the man inside
became unconscious and died. The casualty was no doubt due to small
nests of free caustic and acid which the spading brought into contact
and subsequent developement of sulphuretted hydrogen afresh. A case
is reported of sulphuretted hydrogen poisoning in a man attending to
the drains in a factory tanning leather by a quick process. Here, when
sulphurous acid acts on sodium sulphide, sulphuretted hydrogen is given
off. In cleaning out a trap close to the discharge outlet of a tannery
two persons were rendered unconscious, and the presence of sulphuretted
hydrogen was shown by the blackening of the white lead paint on a house
opposite and by the odour.[2]
In the preparation of ammonium salts Eulenberg[3] cites several cases
where the workers fell as though struck down, although the processes were
carried on in the open air. They quickly recovered when removed from the
spot.
Oliver cites the case where, in excavating soil for a dock, four men
succumbed in six weeks; the water contained 12 vols. per cent. of
sulphuretted hydrogen.
Not unfrequently acute poisoning symptoms result to sewer men. Probably
sulphuretted hydrogen gas is not wholly responsible for them, nor for
the chronic symptoms complained of by such workers (inflammation of the
conjunctiva, bronchial catarrh, pallor, depression).
In the distillation processes connected with the paraffin industry
fatalities have been reported.
CARBON BISULPHIDE
MANUFACTURE.—Carbon bisulphide is prepared by passing sulphur vapour over
pure coal brought to a red heat in cast-iron retorts into which pieces of
sulphur are introduced. The crude carbon bisulphide requires purification
from sulphur, sulphuretted hydrogen, and volatile organic sulphur
compounds by washing with lime water and subsequent distillation.
Use is made of it principally in the extraction of fat and oil from bones
and oleaginous seeds (cocoanut, olives, &c.), for vulcanising, and as a
solvent of rubber. It is used also to extract sulphur from gas purifying
material and for the preparation of various chemical substances (ammonium
sulphocyanide, &c.), as well as for the destruction of pests (phylloxera
and rats).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account