On the Instagram profile called biotech.geek we can find a lot of interesting facts. Its author, Dawid Polak, is a biotechnologist and science popularizer. It is therefore not surprising that he willingly shares the acquired knowledge, which for laypeople can be really interesting and even shocking. This is exactly the case with the interesting fact that appeared on his profile a few days ago.
“Green dresses have become toxic armor”
The topic concerns a certain substance that was once used extensively. It is famous for its beautiful emerald color, which was extremely fashionable in the 19th century. It was used to dye dresses, hair decorations, walls, children’s toys and even food. What were the consequences? To say “deplorable” is to say nothing. The substance in question contained arsenic trioxide, or arsenic. Today we know perfectly well how it works. However, women who happily put on emerald dresses 200 years ago were not aware of this.
When arsenic comes into contact with the skin, it causes real havoc, creating festering wounds and scabs. When it reaches the bloodstream, it causes vomiting, causes hair loss and damages the liver and kidneys. Green dresses thus became toxic armor
– we read in the Pole’s post.
Many people, including distinguished ones, had contact with the dye containing arsenic. Queen Victoria, for example, often wore green clothes and accessories. In turn, Napoleon Bonaparte had paintings in his bedroom painted with this poison. As the author of the post commented:
It is therefore no wonder that people fell ill and died in agony.
Many bad things happened to people before the real effects of arsenic were discovered. Until now, it was even considered a miraculous substance. After all, it was suitable for dyeing many different surfaces. Also food. Dawid Polak also mentioned several stories related to toxic dye.
In the 1850s at a ball in London […] decorative sugar leaves dyed with Scheele’s toxic green were placed on the tables [nazwa barwnika – przyp. red]. Unaware of the danger, the guests took them home for their children, who died after eating them.
A similar fate befell a young florist who worked with a toxic dye. Ulcers appeared on her hands, her nails began to turn yellow, and she vomited green fluid. She died in agony, and during the autopsy, arsenic was detected in her lungs, stomach and liver.
“I wonder if in 100 years there will be an article about what terrible lives people led in the 2000s.”
It’s terrifying how ignorant people once lived
– commented the author of the post. Other Instagram users joined him. There are many words of surprise among the comments. Many people also noticed what substances are currently used on a large scale and do not necessarily have a good effect on us.
Wow, super interesting. Actually, I’m now wondering whether today’s clothes dyes are biologically OK.
I wonder if in 100 years there will be an article about what terrible lives people led in the 2000s.
One learns from mistakes and here is an example of it.
Syphilis was once treated with mercury.
Radioactive substances were once found in creams.
The same thing happened with lead powders and the old uranium glass
– we read.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
