JF Ptak Science Books  Post 150

This image appeared on the inside cover of Scientific American for May 1960.  Our happy diver (with a mask but no way for air intake) is mowing some sort of nefarious weeds in a pretty and clear environment.  This was Shell Chemical Company’s advertisement for their new chemical herbicide Aqualin, sort of an underwater napalm.  Of course the human weed eater wouldn’t want to be around (see below) when the liquid mower was applied, but he surely gives a homey, care-free face to their new acutely toxic chemical application. 

Here’s some interesting, acute data on this amazing New Mower! (from  the Cornell University website):

• Aqualin (product discontinued by Shell Chemical Co., Chemical Intermediates); Magnacide H Herbicide. FORMULATION(S): 92% acrolein, 0.78 kg ai/l (6.5 lb ai/gal.
• Important Weeds Controlled: Used to control submerged and floating aquatics as well as algae.  Also kills snails.  Toxic to seeds.  Some fungicidal effects.
• ACUTE TOXICITY/DERMAL:  LD50 = 50 mg/kg (rat); 30 mg/kg (mouse); 562 mg/kg (rabbit, undiluted); 1022 mg/kg (rabbit, 10% aqueous solution).  Severe skin irritant. Causes vesiculation and a chemical burn if not removed immediately.  1 ppm of acrolein in air produces detectable nose irritation in 2 to 3 min and is intolerable in 5 min.
• FREQUENT SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS OF POISONING: HEADACHE, DIZZINESS, NAUSEA, and vomiting are prominent early symptoms of excessive exposure to these gases.  Acrolein is a strong irritant causing BURNING SENSATIONS in the nose and throat, TEARING,COUGH, and sometimes hoarseness and wheezing.  DROWSINESS, TREMORS, double vision, and weakness are the common early manifestations of central nervous system impairment.  Tremors may progress to myoclonic movements, then to generalized SEIZURES, UNCONSCIOUSNESS, and death.