Why do you call canary girls canary girls?

Answer 1

The name came about about because of their skin and hair colour, which resulted from exposure to the toluene vapour and picric acid droplets, from pouring the liquid TNT (Tri-Nitro-Toluene) into the shells for the war effort. While the men signed up or were drafted into the fighting, women worked at home, making weapons and ammunition's during WWI. Some were directly exposed to Toluene and picric acid. As their liver's failed the skin turned yellow, from the accumulation of toluene in the fatty acids. Red haired women's would hair would turn green, and other women's hair would turn red as the poisoning became further developed. The contrast in colour's resembled a pet bird bred for it's beautiful colour's and wonderful voice, known as the canary. Unfortunately the effects of the poisoning by toluene was usually fatal in about 8-12 weeks as little personal protective equipment equipment or adequate ventilation was used, with most shell pouring was done in the kitchens or basements of houses during this time. Given the airship bombing of factories over England by German forces.

Those with higher concentrations in shorter periods of times suffered the effects more intensely. Following the the general principals of occupational and industrial exposure;

- Time

- Concentration

- Individual susceptability

- toxicity of the substance being handled

- control measures in place (In this case minimal to nil)

Sadly the women, and the society they worked in, saw this as an honourable sacrifice they were making, with occupational physicians noting in some cases the dying young ladies stating "I am glad I got to die for a worthy cause, in providing for the defense of my king and country". Most women who were involved in this occupation were between ages of 18 and 29 years of age.

WWII saw a repeat of the canaries as a workplace occupational disease, but on a much lesser scale, as factories were more prevalent, and ventilation systems better, and health safety laws more strictly enforced in the UK factories.