1'YRKTHKIM l'<>wi>KK- OOJTTAINING POISONOUS METALS, 1 ( .> 



Tvr.iK II. Kniiiiiniitioii f f,i/ntli mm powdcrsfor coloring until, > ( '< nit inin-i 1. 



oQeneral index number. 



A glance Jit this tiihlo shows that wherever the powder^ arc colored 

 by a foreign siil)stan(.-e lead chroinate is the compound used. Nine- 

 teen of the 10.") samples, or 18 percent, were colored by lead rhromate. 

 the amount of which varied from 0.1*2 to 1.47 per cent. 



Of the adulterated samples, 5 were sold under the name of Dalmatian 

 Insect Powder. ."> under the name of Persian Insect Powder. T under 

 the name of pyivthrum, and :> simply as insect powder. It is also 

 evident from Tallies I and II that some linns are sending out two 

 grades of pyrethrum, one containing lead chromate and the other not 

 containing that substance. It is unfortunate that the names of all 

 those who originally prepared the above -ample* could not be obtained 

 since the powders containing the largest amount of lead chromate lack 

 the name of the manufacturer with surprising regularity. 



It seems hardly necessary to call attention to the widespread harm 

 that is undoubtedly caused by powders thus colored. They are sold 

 in all parts of the country and are especially advocated to kill or drive 

 away flies, fleas, cockroaches, and other household pests, and thus they 

 are used principally in the home. Consequently they are breathed by 

 many people for days and weeks at a time. Such powders not only 

 possess the poisonous characteristic.* of nearly all lead salts, but in 

 addition have the toxic properties of chromic acid. It would appear, 

 therefore, that the influence of lead chromate day by day no doubt 

 occasions many of the mysterious ca-es of lead poisoning in which it 

 seems impossible for the physician to tind the -oiirce of the lead taken 

 into the system. 



CORRKSI'ONDKVK WITH MAN t - 1 \< I I K Kl>. 



In order that the manufacturers might have an opportunity to com- 

 ment upon the analyses before they were published, a circular letter 



