_Prevention._--Meticulous attention to detail, not only in the provision, but also in the maintenance, of the locally-applied exhaust ventilation, alone can allay the danger in the processes to which dust is incidental, such as ware cleaning, gathering at the mangle, glost-placing, and the decorative processes. The Lead Committee considered that, as there was no rapid method of testing the actual degree of moisture, exhaust ventilation might be required in the case of ware that was not cleaned within fifteen minutes of the application of the glaze. Such a requirement would prevent the practice now prevalent of painting as many as three dozen tiles, piling them one on top of another, and then proceeding to the operation of scraping. No danger attaches to removal of glaze with a damp sponge or flannel, but means must always be at hand for washing and damping them. In the dipping-house, (_a_) impervious floors should be provided, which could be washed down so as to prevent the risks from sweeping, and from glaze drying, and being raised as dust; (_b_) partial covering of the dipping-tub to prevent splashing and spray; and (_c_) substitution for the overalls at present worn by persons in the dipping-house, glost-placers, millers and mixers of glaze, majolica paintresses, and others, of overalls of some light waterproof material which could be sponged, or of aprons of waterproof material worn in front of the overalls. Dipping-tubs and walls and floors in close proximity to them can with advantage be painted red. Dipping-boards should be washed with clean water after every time of use. Automatic machines for washing and scrubbing boards are in use in some factories. To reduce risk or remove the danger of lead poisoning in this industry, use of low solubility glazes or of leadless glazes are advocated. On this point the Lead Committee say: “The effect of melting the lead with silicious matter amounts to imprisoning it in such a manner as to render it less liable to the action of the acids which it meets in passing through the human body, and in consequence largely reduces the likelihood of its absorption into the blood. If the frit is properly compounded, all but a small fraction of the lead is rendered insoluble, and glazes so made are spoken of as ‘low solubility glazes.’ The finished glaze generally contains from 12 to 22 per cent., or more, of lead oxide, but after the process of fritting with sufficient silicious material only from 2 to 5 per cent. remains soluble.”[A]