Dermatitis from Mansonia wood.

Homer and Wigley (1936) reported a case of dermatitis due to Mansonia wood (Sterculiacea altissima) and in his annual report the Chief Inspector of Factories (1936) also reported that the dust of this wood could give rise to serious symptoms and in this respect compared it with African box wood. There are apparently no other reports of the possible dangers relating to the use of this wood, and, as it has been imported in recent years in much larger quantities than hitherto, an account of an outbreak of dermatitis is likely to be of interest as other outbreaks are known to have occurred elsewhere in this country. The wood itself is exported from the Gold Coast and Nigeria and is used locally for general carpentry and in railway coaches. As it resembles black walnut it has been used for piano cases, furniture, shop fittings, and camera boxes. It has been found very useful as a substitute for true walnut with which it should not be confused. In the fresh state the wood is dark brown but on exposure changes to light brown. It air-seasons readily and has considerable natural durability. It was recently found to be ideal for use in the manufacture of radio and television cabinets and the outbreak reported here took place in a factory which makes these products. All the men affected worked in one small department although the wood in its various stages through the factory was handled by many other workers. On investigation the men in the department concerned were those engaged in fine sanding, whereas in the rest of the factory, although the same wood was handled by many other workers, no men appeared to be involved. The wood enters the factory in planks which may vary in colour from light brown to a darkish grey brown, the bark remaining much paler. It is then rough sawn and planed in the mill and the particles of reasonably large size are thrown off and extracted by an efficient exhaust system. The work of assembly into cabinets also appears to carry no risk as at no time have there been complaints. It is only when the cabinets are taken to the fine sanding department that difficulties arise. Here the wood is treated by hand sanding with fine carborundum type papers to smooth the surface for further treatment with stains and lacquers. This department has an efficient …