What was mercury used for in hat making?

Asked by: Joshua Black

In the 18th and 19th centuries, industrial workers used a toxic substance, mercury nitrate, as part of the process of turning the fur of small animals, such as rabbits, into felt for hats.

Why was mercury used in the hat-making process?

Prior to the seventeenth century, the skin and hair were separated using urine, but French hat makers discovered that mercury – first in the form of mercurial urine from hat workers who consumed mercury chloride to treat syphilis, and later in the form of the mercuric salts such as mercuric nitrate – made the hairs

Is mercury still used in hat-making?

The condition is called “mad hatter disease” because it commonly affected hat makers in the 18th to 20th centuries. They used mercury in the hat making process and developed mercury poisoning. Fortunately, hatters stopped using mercury in 1941.

Did top hats have mercury?

One key component in top hat manufacture is the felting of the fur, a long process of moistening, heating, and pressing the fur fibers into a dense mat. One way to speed up felting—and production—was carrotting, where fur pelts were soaked in a solution containing mercury salts.

What is Mad hatter’s disease?

Mad hatter’s disease is a form of mercury poisoning that affects the brain and nervous system. People can develop mercury poisoning by inhaling mercury vapors. Mad hatter’s disease is caused by chronic mercury poisoning. It is characterized by emotional, mental, and behavioral changes, among other symptoms.

Is mercury poisoning permanent?

When detected early, mercury poisoning can be halted. Neurological effects from mercury toxicity are often permanent. If you suspect sudden mercury poisoning, call the Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222.

What happens if mercury touches you?

If you touch it, a small amount may pass through your skin, but not usually enough to harm you. Mercury is most harmful when you breathe in the vapors that are released when a container is open or a spill occurs. Pregnant women, infants and young children are particularly sensitive to the harmful effects of mercury.

What is Pink’s disease?

Pinks disease is also known as acrodynia, it is mercury poisoning during childhood. Mercury was a known ingredient in a type of teething powder until the 1950s. Characteristics of Pinks disease include a pink discoloration of the hands and feet.

What would happen if you inject mercury?

Depending on how much mercury is inhaled, permanent lung damage and death may occur. Long-term brain damage from inhaled elemental mercury can also occur. There have been cases of mercury being injected under the skin, which can cause fever and rash.

Did Lewis Carroll have mercury poisoning?

If you read this book, you may come to believe, as Hammond does, that Lewis Carroll’s mad Hatter was based on a man he knew intimately well (himself), that it is tremendously likely he suffered from mercury poisoning, and that this was the cause of his many emotional and physical disabilities.

Why hat-making was lethal?

Used by hat makers spread experimentation in style and production. It was soon discovered that moistening the fibers of felt and fur with mercuric nitrate.

How long does mercury stay in the body?

A blood test indicates whether you’ve been exposed to mercury in the last few days. However, blood levels of certain types of mercury decrease rapidly within three to five days.

Does shrimp have mercury?

Five of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish. Another commonly eaten fish, albacore (“white”) tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna.

How do you remove mercury from the brain?

Researchers have found fiber to reduce mercury levels in the brain and blood. Chlorella: Studies have shown that chlorella increases the detoxification of mercury in mice. Foods containing sulfur: Foods rich in sulfur, such as garlic and broccoli, may be good chelators.