ARSENIC IN WOOL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2325, 22 September 1898, Page 6

ARSENIC IN WOOL.

As the matter dealt with is of great importance to our local trade, we have pleasure in publishing the following letter from Mr J. H. Pearse, which has previously appeared in the Lancet : — Dear Sirs, — Can yov. spare space in your valuable journal to ventilate the question of disadvantage or injury Hkely to arise or not from woollen apparel and other goods containing traces of arsenic? In Sweden there is a law against the sale of material containing arsenic in any way over a minute trace. Thus, yarn is not allowed to be sold in that country if it contains 0.0009 per cent, of arsenic — or 20cwt of yarn may contain up to 9 grammes of arsenic, — but if it contains more it will be condemned and not allowed to be sold. It is known that the Swedish Government have condemned a heavy carpet because it contained one thousandth part of a grain of arsenic in 16 square inches — that is, 1 grain (possibly in a completely non-volatile form) in a piece of carpet 10ft square. This Swedish law is a source of great trouble and annoyance to our manufacturers and merchants who do business in Sweden in the wool branches of the textile trade. I believe it is nearly if not quite impossible to buy any sheep's wool (Homo or foreign grown) that does not contain arsenic in larger quantities than that allowed by the Swedish Government. This arises from the fact that all sheep-growers are obliged at certain seasons to dip thoir sheep in a special chemical preparation to keep the animals healthy and in good order, and it is admitted that oil effective sheep dips contain arsenic. Messrs Cooper and Nephew, of Berkhampstead, large manufacturers of arsenical sheep dip, state that they supply dip sufficient each year for one-fourth the sheep in the entire world, and they have proved by experience that their dip improves the fleece, and I understand that it is their opinion that one-half the woollen fabrics worn in England are made with Cooper dipped (that i&, arsenical dipped) wools. The arsenic from the dip clings so tenaciously to the wool fibre, that even the two or three scourings with hot water, soap, and alkali, together with the various other treatments and manipulations of carding, combing, spinning, dyeing, and weaving, which the wool or yarn goes through before it becomes finished cloth, fail to destroy or get rid of the drug. It has been suggested to me that some of the readers of the Lancet may be in a position and willing to help the Home trade, by giving information as to the injuvy or otherwise likely to arise from materials wade from the wool treated as above named, and as to the maximum quantity of arsenic that might be allowed without injury to health, in a given weight or size of plolh. Such information would, I think, be very valuable to all spinners and manufacturers engaged in the wool branches of the textile trades. I think it is as well to add that the Swedish

way of analysing for arsenic is described ia" the Chemieche Zietung of 1892, page 4-20. So far I have in a sense appealed to your readers only, but I am in hopes that you, sirs, may also be induced to favour all interested in the matter with your opinion, which I am sure will be of considerable value. Anticipating your kindness of inserting this letter, I now thank you very much. I am, sire, yours faithfully, (Signed) John H. Pearse, President Kidderminster Chamber of Commerce.