Paint with Arsenic

In the 19th century, some greens used in wallpapers, textiles and decorative works contained arsenic. These pigments produced an extraordinarily vivid colour, highly sought after in bourgeois interiors. But moisture, dust, or mold could release toxic compounds. Chemical modernity thus introduced the poison directly into the daily decor.

Scheele green and emerald green are among the great chromatic innovations of the industrial era. They allow for much more intense green tones than many natural colors previously available.These pigments find immense success in wallpapers, fabrics, artificial flowers and some decorative objects. Their radiance perfectly matches the Victorian taste for saturated interiors, plant patterns, and deep colors. The problem comes from their arsenical composition. In damp rooms, some wallpapers could degrade or be colonized by molds capable of transforming arsenic into volatile compounds phenomena.Workers making artificial flowers, dresses or green decorations were particularly exposed. The pigment dust came into contact with the skin, respiratory tract and sometimes food. Medical debates proliferated in the 19th century, but the complete ban was often delayed. The pigment is beautiful, cheap and industrially effective.This story shows that color is never just aesthetic. It has an economy, chemistry and sometimes toxicity. Behind some elegant 19th century decor was a misunderstood domestic laboratory, where visual innovation largely preceded health security.