In the last 30 years there has been a
handful of studies on the effects of long-term exposure to chalk dust on school
teachers (see Zsuzsánna Ágnes Szász et al, “Chalk-induced Lung Fibrosis
— Case Report.” Journal of Interdisciplinary Medicine 2017; 2(4):357-61,
and its accompanying references). It’s likely that with the increased use of
whiteboards, respiratory tract diseases will be less of an occupational hazard
for teachers.
I’ve come across a couple of references in humor magazines
to brown-nosing schoolkids getting sick from inhaling chalk dust after much clapping
of erasers. Did kids in the real world ever worry about “white lung”?
George W. S. Trow & Anne Beatts, "Doctor
Warns of New Diseases," National Lampoon, September, 1971, p. 27.
White lung happens when a little boy or a little girl
is a little too eager to help teacher. Little boys and little girls who
volunteer to help teacher in the hope of winning favors usually end up clapping
blackboard erasers. If little boys and little girls clap blackboard erasers too
often, they will get dread white lung due to chalk-dust inhalation[.]
Dennis Snee, "Former Eraser Cleaner Claims Chalk
Dust Damages,” MAD magazine #246, March 1984, p. 31.
ATLANTA, Ga. (UPI) – In the third such suit filed
recently, high school senior Matthew Binkowitz claimed today in municipal court
that his experience cleaning erasers in elementary and junior high school
caused him to develop a chronic respiratory ailment.
"I used to pound the things every day till my
hands got tired," Binkowitz said, "but it wasn't until a year ago
that I realized breathing in all that chalk dust was bad for my health."
Robert Triptow, Class Photo (Seattle: Fantagraphics,
2015), 32.
Charles Schulz, Peanuts, 17 & 19 February 1969.