Victorians, whether elite or not were obsessed with what was 'in'. Having the latest fashions, gadgets or in this case home decor was almost essential for many to appear better in the eyes of their peers. Many times this could be deadly.
Victorians were obsessed with color and many favored greens, blues or vibrant yellows for their wallpaper. These pigments were achieved by mixing arsenic to enhance the colors. At the time, it was widely know that arsenic was a killer but most believed you could only die from ingestion.
By the time the craze reached Britain, it was already widely known in Europe that this was highly dangerous but many in Britain refused to admit or acknowledge the fact.
Even when untouched, arsenic wallpaper had the potential to flake or release arsenic gas in damp or hot conditions.
Symptoms of arsenic poisoning often were reminiscent of other sicknesses, making it harder to identify. They ranged from nausea and vomiting to headaches and muscle aches.
Several deaths were linked to arsenic poisoning for this killer wallpaper. The first major news story related to the deaths of four children who had sore throats and respiratory issues. 1857 saw a physician complaining of cramps in his abdomen, feeling lightheaded and nausea. Once he had the wallpaper in the study torn down, his symptoms vanished. In 1862 multiple children died in an East London home after licking green wallpaper.
These are only a few of the cases caused by this killer decor.
*Image from www.smithsonianmag.com*
