Green is one of the most basic and used colors today. We can find it in synthetic paint and pigments. There is quite an impressive shade range of green. But the rare shade is Scheele’s Green. It is a pigment that is the cause of the death of multiple people in earlier times.
It is a yellowish-green pigment, which is quite vibrant. In 1775, Scheele’s Green was “accidentally” invented by Carl Wilhelm Scheele. It is also known as Schloss Green. It is also related to Paris Green. This color was a result of mixing arsenious oxide in heated sodium carbonate. Copper Sulfate was also added to give a vibrant green pigment. Its chemical formula is CuHAsO3 — cupric hydrogen arsenite.
This green was comparatively easy to make, and the cost was really low. As soon as it hit the market, the other green pigments were quickly replaced by it. It was used in clothing, dye, accessories, medicines, toys, wallpapers, etc. But little did anyone know that this color could be so poisonous. Its basic component was Copper Arsenite, which is a deadly element. This can cause cancer, stomach issues, and skin problems. People using the items, which had this pigment, faced several health issues, and some even died. Later in the 1900s, it was banned, after knowing how deadly it was. But there is one fascinating thing regarding the pigment.
This color is reportedly the cause of the death of Napoleon Bonaparte. His house in St. Helena had Green wallpaper, which had the arsenic. The climate of that area was humid, so there were more chances of the occurrence of chemical reactions and the release of arsenic. The arsenic, gradually, entered the body of Napoleon. This led to stomach cancer, and eventually 6 six years later, Napoleon died. Arsenic was found in his dead body and hair. Thus, this is said to be the cause of his death.
Well, today we don’t have to go through these things just to wear a dress or to live in a house having a wallpaper. I certainly am glad about that.
