Chap. 167.—An ACT to safeguard the distribution and sale of certain dangerous
caustic or corrosive acids, alkalis, and other substances. [H B 83]

Approved March 17, 1926.

Be it enacted by the general asembly of Virginia, as follows:

1. In this act, unless the context or sub-matter otherwise re-
quires.

(A) The term ‘dangerous caustic or corrosive substance’”’ means
each and all of the acids, alkalis, and substances named below:
(a) Hydrochloric acid and any preparation containing free or chemi-
cally unneutralized hydrochloric acid in a concentration of ten per
centum or more; (b) sulphuric acid and any preparation containing
free or chemically unneutralized sulphuric acid in a concentration of
ten per centum or more; (c) nitric acid or any preparation containing
free or chemically unneautralized nitric acid in a concentration of
five per centum or more; (d) carbolic acid, otherwise known as phenol,
and any preparation containing carbolic acid or phenol in a concen-
tration of five per centum or more; (d-1) cresol or any preparation
containing cresol in a concentration of five per centum or more;
(e) oxalic acid and any preparation containing free or chemically un-
neutralized oxalic acid in a concentration of ten per centum or more;
(f) any salt of oxalic acid and any preparation containing any such
salt in a concentration of ten per centum or more; (g) acetic acid or
any preparation containing free or chemically unneutralized acetic
acid in a concentration of twenty per centum or more; (h) hydro-
chlorous acid, either free or combined, and any preparation contain-
ing the same in a concentration so as to yield ten per centum or more
by weight of available chlorine, excluding calx chlorinta, bleaching
powder, and chloride of lime; (i) potassium hydroxide and any prep-
aration containing free or chemically unneutralized potassium hy-
droxide, including caustic potash and Vienna paste, in a concentration
of ten per centum or more; (j) sodium hydroxide and any preparation
containing free or chemically unneutralized sodium hydroxide, in-
cluding caustic soda and lye, in a concentration of ten per centum or
more; (k) silver nitrate, sometimes known as lunar caustic, and any
preparation containing silver nitrate in a concentration of five per
centum or more, and (1) ammonia water and any preparation yielding
free or chemically uncombined ammonia, including ammonium hy-
droxide and “‘hartshorn,” in a concentration of five per centum ot
more.

(B) The term “misbranded parcel, package, or container’? means
a retail parcel, package, or container of any dangerous caustic or cor-
rosive substance for household use, not bearing a conspicuous, easily
legible label or sticker, containing (a) the name of the article; (b) the
name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, seller, o1
’

distributer (c) the word ‘‘poison,” running parallel with the main
body of reading matter on said label or sticker, on a clear, plain back-
ground of a distinctly contrasting color, in uncondensed gothic capi-
tal letters, the letters to be not less than twenty-four point size, un-
less there is on said label or sticker no other type so large, in which
event the type shall be not smaller than the largest type on the label
or sticker, and (d) directions for treatment in case of accidental per-
sonal injury by the dangerous caustic or corrosive substance; except
that provisions (a), (c) and (d) of above section shall not apply to
physicians’ prescriptions but the said prescription shall carry the reg-
ular poison label.

2. No person shall sell at retail barter, or exchange, or display,
or offer for sale, barter, or exchange in this State except at wholesale
any dangerous caustic or corrosive substance in a misbranded parcel,
package, or container, said parcel, package, or container being de-
signed for household use.

3. Any person violating the provisions of this act shall, upon
conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not more than two hun-
dred dollars, or by imprisonment for not more than ninety days, or
by both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court.

4. The State board of pharmacy shall enforce the provisions of
this act, and it is hereby authorized and empowered to approve and
register such brands and labels intended for use under the provisions
of this act as may be submitted to it for that purpose and as may in
its judgment conform to the requirements of this statute; provided,
however, that in any prosecution under this act the fact that any
brand or label involved in said prosecution has not been submitted
to said State board of pharmacy for approval, or if submitted, has
not been approved by it, shall be immaterial.

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