Found an old safety report from a 1950s foundry that changed how I look at ventilation

I was cleaning out my grandpa's garage in Toledo and found a box of his old work papers. There was a typed report from 1957 about a foundry accident where a guy passed out from carbon monoxide buildup. The crazy part was the level measured: 800 parts per million. Modern OSHA limits are 50 ppm. It made me check our own monitors right away. Has anyone else had a scare that made you upgrade your air quality setup?

3 comments

3 Comments

ivan7742mo agoTop Commenter

Just read that 800 ppm number and my jaw dropped. That's sixteen times higher than what's allowed now, it's insane they even functioned. Can't believe your grandpa worked in conditions like that.

christopherw342mo ago

Honestly used to think those old safety stories were overblown. Hearing that specific number, 800 parts per million, really makes it real. It's not just a vague "bad air" thing anymore. My grandpa never complained much, but now I see why he had that cough for years. Changes how you look at the whole generation.

drewr151mo ago

Guess they figured a little lung damage built character back then. My uncle used to say the factory dust just seasoned his lungs. Really puts the "good old days" into a grim new light.