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March 12, 1924.
Dr. Cecil K. Drinker,
c/o School of Public Health,
Harvard University,
55 Van Dyke St.,
Boston,
Mass.
Dear Dr. Drinker:-
Some days ago, Mr. J. A. Singmaster of the New Jersey Zine
Company was good enough to call your attention to a problem that we have
at our Plant.
He informed me yesterday that the situation interests you
and I am, therefore, sending you this brief sketch of the situstion.
We manufacture phosthorescent zine sulphide that is used as a base
for Undark radium luminous material. The fins. product is the zinc sulchide
combined with vary small amounts of Radíum and Mesothorium. The radio-sctive
element is measured in micrograms, the amounts varying in different grades of
materials. Otherwise the material is the same. Undark powder sells for
$1.00 to $10.00 per gram. I sm mentioning this since the price limits the
amount of radio-active element that can be used.
For a number of years, up until 191 9 or 1920, we maintained a large
force of operators - girls - who applied Undark to watch dials, bands, and other
articles. The process is atrictly a painting operation. The powder is mixed
with tree gum adhesives and applied by hand with fine brushes.
Some time ago, one of the operators developed a jaw condition which
later became S. necrosis, and the young lady subsequently died. I
am
told
that
this could bs.ve been caused by phosphorus, tubercular infection, or other tooth
condition.
Ye use no phosphorus thatever in Undark. It is E highly purified
zine sulphide and contains microscopic traces of impurities which make it
phosphorescent. This is principally copper.
Late last year, another operator developed a mouth condition which
at first was thought to be similar. I understand, however, now that the girl
is very much improved, indicating that the condition is not progressive in this
instance. I have also been informed that her family have and considerable
tubercular trouble.
Those whom re have consulted can report nothing to us in the literature
on these subjects that would indicate any form of poisoning from zine sulphide.
Nevertheless, we must determine definitely and finally if there is any ingredient
or if the material is any way harmful.
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"ocrText": "March 12, 1924.\nDr. Cecil K. Drinker,\nc/o School of Public Health,\nHarvard University,\n55 Van Dyke St.,\nBoston,\nMass.\nDear Dr. Drinker:-\nSome days ago, Mr. J. A. Singmaster of the New Jersey Zine\nCompany was good enough to call your attention to a problem that we have\nat our Plant.\nHe informed me yesterday that the situation interests you\nand I am, therefore, sending you this brief sketch of the situstion.\nWe manufacture phosthorescent zine sulphide that is used as a base\nfor Undark radium luminous material. The fins. product is the zinc sulchide\ncombined with vary small amounts of Radíum and Mesothorium. The radio-sctive\nelement is measured in micrograms, the amounts varying in different grades of\nmaterials. Otherwise the material is the same. Undark powder sells for\n$1.00 to $10.00 per gram. I sm mentioning this since the price limits the\namount of radio-active element that can be used.\nFor a number of years, up until 191 9 or 1920, we maintained a large\nforce of operators - girls - who applied Undark to watch dials, bands, and other\narticles. The process is atrictly a painting operation. The powder is mixed\nwith tree gum adhesives and applied by hand with fine brushes.\nSome time ago, one of the operators developed a jaw condition which\nlater became S. necrosis, and the young lady subsequently died. I\nam\ntold\nthat\nthis could bs.ve been caused by phosphorus, tubercular infection, or other tooth\ncondition.\nYe use no phosphorus thatever in Undark. It is E highly purified\nzine sulphide and contains microscopic traces of impurities which make it\nphosphorescent. This is principally copper.\nLate last year, another operator developed a mouth condition which\nat first was thought to be similar. I understand, however, now that the girl\nis very much improved, indicating that the condition is not progressive in this\ninstance. I have also been informed that her family have and considerable\ntubercular trouble.\nThose whom re have consulted can report nothing to us in the literature\non these subjects that would indicate any form of poisoning from zine sulphide.\nNevertheless, we must determine definitely and finally if there is any ingredient\nor if the material is any way harmful."
}