Quote Originally Posted by gugi View Post
It's quite likely that the lead vapors are much better contained than they were 100 years ago and they don't maim and kill and their workers at the same rates as in the days of old,
In the days of old, when knife and razor grinders didn't have exhaust fans, respirators, and suffered an early death as a result, people simply didn't realize the consequences of an unprotected work environment. In the 1950-60s asbestos workers were exposed to carcinogens to the maximum, to the extent that their wives were dieing too, from asbestos exposure in washing the work clothes. At the same time the companies, though they had become aware of the danger denied the effects for fear of being shut down at worst, or reducing the profit margin at best. Tough world.