The Dangers of Benzine

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 21, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 31, No. 19.

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The Dangers of Benzine

The Dangers of Benzine.—Our lady readers should be informed that the liquid called benzine, which they use so freely for removing grease and stains from clothing, is a very dangerous article. It is one of the substances distilled from petroleum, and is highly volatile, inflammable, and, when the vapor is mixed with air, explosive. We have frequently observed a phial of this fluid standing in close proximity to a lamp or gas flame, and the odor pervading the rooms. A very small quantity is capable of doing irreparable mischief. The contents of a four ounce phial, if overturned and vaporized, would render the air of a common room explosive, and a whole family might be seriously burned, or lose their lives from it. It should never be used in the vicinity of flame; and it is important to remember that, through the medium of the escaping vapor, when the phial is uncorked, flame will leap to it through a space of several feet. Benzine is often sold under various fanciful names; and, therefore, any article procured from the druggists for removing oil or grease from fabrics should be handled with the utmost care.