The corrosion of metal by palmar sweat.

Abstract

The problem of metal corrosion resulting from contamination by palmar sweat is common to many industrial occupations. Constant handling of metal parts by some individuals causes an accumulation of rust (Fig. 1). In the manufacture of highly finished metal products, for example ball-bearings, and also in subsequent assembling and packing processes, serious consideration must be given to this effect. Frequently, operators are required to wear gloves during stages of manufacture involving the handling of metal. Where the nature of the work militates against the use of mechanical safeguards it is sometimes necessary to make preliminary tests in order to exclude individuals who are found to produce marked corrosion by handling. The corrosive nature of sweat has been known for some time (Yerbury, 1919; Huff, 1921) but few objective investigations on this subject have ap peared. Tools cannot be protected by greasing unless all traces of sweat are first removed. Several cleansing agents for removing sweat residues have,