The Use Of Mercury

[Detective_Noir]

It came to my mind to start wondering about if my hats are safe or not from the mercury use to make the hats have a finer finish... in what year did they stop using mercury on hats because mine are from the lates 1940's and one is from the early 1950's are they safe to prevent brain damage?

 

[BR Gordon]

It came to my mind to start wondering about if my hats are safe or not from the mercury use to make the hats have a finer finish... in what year did they stop using mercury on hats because mine are from the lates 1940's and one is from the early 1950's are they safe to prevent brain damage?

If you post photos and sizes, I'll let you know if they are safe to wear. I do provide a disposal service for certain hats of the correct sizes.

By the way, mercury was outlawed, in the United States, on December 1, 1941.

 

[DJH]

That's very noble of you to take that risk to protect a fellow lounger, BR.

 

[Detective_Noir]

The Korean War Era Stetson

Able tell its korean era from the O.P.S. Tag on it and now the late 1940s Stetson (Unknown Model Name)

i can mainly tell because they didnt really start using plastic coverings for hat liner crests until the 50s at least

 

[Detective_Noir]

hat also has a smooth finish and is open crown they are both size 7 the grey one has a Bound Edge Finish and The Second One Has A Cavanaugh Edge Finish and that the hats were from 1945 to 1960 era on the bay when i got them

 

[Detective_Noir]

well if outlawed in 1941 then i guess i should be safe then Thank you BR

 

[feltfan]

The mercury would have released into the atmosphere a very long time ago.
Probably before it hit the hat store shelves.

 

[St. Valentine]

It´s a 7, so it is safe. If it were a 7 3/8 I would consider it highly dangerous and would suggest you send it overseas so I can take care of things. Great lid, wish I could find something like it here...

 

[mayserwegener]

Just as a side note. I found evidence that mercury was still used in Italy into the 1960s.

Following Employment In The Fur Hat Industry (Tuscany, Italy 1950-92)".

This study suggests that Italian fur cutting plants (poor work conditions) used mercury into the 1960s and possibly later.

The report links increased rate of lung cancer to mercury intoxication.

 

[kaosharper1]

I think it was the fumes from the mercury in the processing that was dangerous just as many tanning chemicals can cause cancer in the tanning process. The end result wouldn't be dangerous just being exposed to the processing.

 

[danofarlington]

This is why I've stopped using the expression "if you can do X, I'll eat my hat."

 

[bowlerman]

I think it was the fumes from the mercury in the processing that was dangerous just as many tanning chemicals can cause cancer in the tanning process. The end result wouldn't be dangerous just being exposed to the processing.

This is my understanding as well. The quicksilver isn't a risk unless you were the one using it for your felting/hatting process. Other hazardous chemicals, including ones that gave permanent nerve damage upon first touch, have been banned as well.

 

[bowlerman]

Sorry to blow your cover, BR!

 

[mayserwegener]

I think it was the fumes from the mercury in the processing that was dangerous just as many tanning chemicals can cause cancer in the tanning process. The end result wouldn't be dangerous just being exposed to the processing.

Yes it is during the fur processing. I have the whole report if you want to take a look. What is surprising is how long they continued to use mercury in Italy.

 

[BR Gordon]

Sorry to blow your cover, BR!

It was worth the try.

 

[St. Valentine]

Mercury must not be inhaled. It is strange that even swallowing it won´t do you no harm but the fumes are highly toxic.

 

[danofarlington]

That's bad news when you break one of the CFL bulbs that are the only thing available nowadays. They apparently have mercury vapor. And who is above breaking light bulbs?

 

[ButteMT61]

That's bad news when you break one of the CFL bulbs that are the only thing available nowadays. They apparently have mercury vapor. And who is above breaking light bulbs?

Which is why technically you can't throw them in the trash. They're supposed to go to toxic waste disposal. Another brilliant moe from the green community. They also emit EMF and radiation that some have linked to migraines. So, I'll stick to the old fashioned incandescent bulbs - however I do use the newer, lower wattage varieties. And some of the old "Edison" bulbs for,vintage lights.

 

[BobHufford]

Ran across this article from 1941 in the "Philadelphia Evening Bulletin":

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Ran across this article from 1941 in the "Philadelphia Evening Bulletin":

View attachment 531147

Great read Bob.
Thanks, never knew the date.
Put a solid pinpoint in when felt “changed” from that old felt feel to whatever.
I guess Stetson’s Vita-Felt process, 42’-47’, was the first?? victory we covet so. Except Vita-Felts were all over the place, at least in the ones i have. Go figure!
B
Ps: but…we could still break a thermometer and roll the mercury balls around with our fingers and coat a penny.
Those were the days of hats and fun!!