The Rotting Jaw: Labor’s Fight Against Deadly Phosphorus
Workers in American match factories face a horrific, disfiguring illness while the government debates banning the white phosphorus that causes it.
The story, cleaned up
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The United States is the only major commercial country that has not absolutely prohibited the use of white or yellow phosphorus in the manufacture of matches. This substance causes a horrible, disfiguring occupational disease known as 'phosphorus necrosis,' which leads to the rotting of the jawbone. Recent investigations reveal that 95 percent of workers in match factories are in danger, with women and children under sixteen being especially vulnerable. Although a safer, non-harmful substitute known as red phosphorus or sesquisulphide exists, manufacturers continue to use the toxic white phosphorus due to its cheapness and market competition. Labor organizations are now calling on Congress to pass legislation to ban this deadly substance and prevent further agonizing suffering for working people.
“There is no reason why an industry of this character, fraught with so much danger to the life and health of men and women... should be permitted to exist when its operation demands such heavy toll in human life.”
This 1911 report captures the dawn of industrial health regulation in the US, mirroring modern struggles over toxic workplace chemicals and corporate 'externalities.' Just as phosphorus necrosis was known but ignored for profit, today's workers continue to advocate for safety standards against new, invisible industrial hazards.
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