ID terms Phossy Jaw Flashcards
Phossy Jaw
match industry
Begining of 1840s- European researchers, Causal connection of matches with white phosphorus and necrosis (premature death of cells in living tissues)
concentrated in the jaws of workers
1847 Book: Phosphorous Necrosis Identified
Published in Germany
Described in detail this process of phosphorus necrosis, “phossy jaw”
Reported that phossy jaw came from chronic exposure to white phosphorus,
inhaled in vapors, deposited in the jaw bones, partly as a result of breathing in fumes that were in facories, released as a fine dust,inhaled in vapors, Could also be ingested by eating food that had been exposed, touching gums w/ fingers, drinking from glass in factory
Established phossy jaw in an attempt to explain why
symptoms and tx
Penetrate into open sores in someone’s mouth, say a bad tooth, would kill tissue cells that then became abscesses
could lead to serious brain damage
London strike and reform
1888- went on strike to protest wages, conditions, occupational health
Was willing to make some concessions, but not talk about phossy jaw
Not until late 1890s that a series of strikes and years of protests that it was addressed
began to monitor, pay for tx, pension for some
1892- London takes measures to improve ventilation
safety matches
Alternative existed meaning phossy jaw could have been avoided
Not strike anywhere matches, so white phosphorus meant you could strike anywhere, so matches weren’t particularly convenient
The Berne convention
1906- international meeting of countries that leader sat down and signed an agreement to outlaw white phosphorous in US because new nontoxic alternative had been found
US did not sign Berne convention on grounds that it violated constitution, white phosphorus continued to be used for years after the Berne convention
AALL Campaign (1909)
successful campaign to get rid of white phosphorous matches
Tax Law Passes (1913)- use taxes to drive phosphorus off the market
