The mystery surrounding an epidemic of over one thousand infant deaths, which occurred one hundred years ago may hold an important clue to the epidemic of unexplained infant deaths that began primarily in the Western World shortly after the introduction of PVC. These infants, who had died mysteriously in the early 1890's, were often found on the floor face down. In desperation, after medical authorities failed to come up with a plausible explanation and the fact that all these babies could not have been murdered, a noted Italian chemist was called into the investigation.

Quick Jump: Home Order Link Directory

   Rather than examine the babies, the chemist named Gosio, chose instead to examine the death scenes-the houses in which the deaths occurred. Using his observations alone, Gosio realized that all the cases had a similarity. In particular, he noted there was evidence of affluence, as manifested by fashionable furnishings.  He also noticed the presence of mildew, which was commonplace, and due to the climate, which was typically moist and humid. Most importantly, he recognized a distinct green color that permeated each of the residence's furnishings; not just any green, but rather a newer and more fashionable and expensive shade, known at the time, as Paris green.

   Gosio postulated that mildew and Paris green were interacting creating in the process a poisonous gas that was accumulating near the floor, which was the cause of the deaths. Gosio knew Paris green was made with a chemical compound containing arsenic.  

   Gosio's subsequent experiments, which had previously been conducted by Selme in 1842, demonstrated that the  fungal organisms were metabolizing arsenic compound producing a garlic smelling substance known as arsine.  Arsine gas was already known to be poisonous. Arsine killed by paralyzing the nervous system.  He also knew that arsine gas had a vapor density more than twice the density of air and as a consequence would accumulate near the floor, especially in homes lacking good ventilation.

   Gosio concluded that infants crawling or sleeping on the floor, near fabrics rich in mildew and Paris green pigment were at greatest risk and the unexplained infant deaths were due to the poisonous gas, arsine.  Amazingly, a chemist not a physician, had solved this mystery one hundred years ago, using only his observations and knowledge of chemistry.

   The removal of Paris green eliminated the epidemic. Gosio's finding may have later saved the life of the U.S. Ambassador to Italy, Clare Booth Luce, who became ill in her embassy. Her illness was, once again, traced to old paint and wallpaper containing mildew and arsenic. Arsine gas was also the source of her illness.

   More recently, chemists in New Zealand and Great Britain have proposed a newer version of the Gosio theory, resulting in another accidental gas poisoning explanation for the current unsolved epidemic. They have discovered the same mildew in crib mattresses and sheepskins of  victims. Most importantly, they have concluded that the older and more used a crib mattress was the more likely the mildew would be present. The addition of moisture and heat to a mattress was all that was necessary for rapid mildew growth to occur. The English chemist, B. A. Richardson, concluded in 1989 that if  mildew had a source of chemical elements similar to arsenic this same poisoning scenario might also take place in a baby's crib. 

   Although Richardson failed to find significant arsine gas coming from the fungal activity in mattresses of unexplained deaths,  he succeeded, in demonstrating the gas of antimony and predicted the gas of phosphorus was also likely to be present. The gases of antimony and phosphorus are known poisons that will produce death in a fashion similar to arsenic. Richardson had no choice but to conclude that a relationship existed between these gases and death.

   It would also seem reasonable to conclude that sub-lethal doses of these gases might be able to produce apnea or "near misses." Therefore, although 99% of all babies do not die, Richardson's experiments suggest the possibility of a long term exposure risk. Antimony, in particular, is similar to lead. 

    Richardson concluded that he believed that fungal activity was the cause of poisonous gases, which were capable of killing a baby.  As a scientist he documented and recorded his findings.  Unfortunately, prior to publication in a scientific journal his explanation was published by the media throughout England. The scientific validity became the question and his results have been largely ignored in the United States.