One minute a young Brazilian boy was happily playing, and a moment later, tragedy struck. Arthur Emanuel Bitencourt, 7, was playing in a pile of limestone powder when things went awry. His family snapped a photo of the boy on August 3. He was giving a thumbs up with a big smile on his face. That was the last photograph taken of Arthur.
The pile of limestone powder turned out to be toxic, ultimately killing the boy when he inhaled the powder. The family rushed him to the hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival. His family warned others of the dangers of limestone on social media, hoping to prevent a similar tragedy.
Limestone is used in construction and in agriculture.
Arthur played in the dust on his family’s property in Ipiranga, Paraná, in the South Region of Brazil, the New York Post reported.
He was waist deep in the powder, but his family did not know the danger associated with limestone, per Fox News. According to Brazil’s Technological Research Institute, limestone has a high carcinogenic potential, particularly in a powdered state.
Arthur inhaled the powder, which poisoned him.
The research institute explained that those handling limestone powder must be extremely careful. Fox News reported that such people should wear protective goggles and immediately take action if they ingest the powder. If the dust is inhaled, a person should seek medical attention immediately and receive “artificial respiration or oxygen” as soon as possible.
The boy’s family was reportedly shocked by his death.
Arthur’s uncle, Romaldo Bitencourt, paid tribute to his nephew on Facebook. In a post on August 4, the heartbroken uncle wrote in Portuguese, “Arthur, my dear nephew, we will love you forever and a day, we will meet again to receive, that hug only you knew how to give 👼.”
He shared a second post on Tuesday thanking everyone for their prayers.
“Arthurzinho was very intelligent, even at a young age, he already had discernment in various subjects and his own opinion, proving that he would have the character of a good man. Secondly, we thank all of you who have been with our family in this difficult time that we never imagined we would go through, rest assured, GOD has comforted us through the hugs, condolences, crowns and flowers received from each of you,” the uncle wrote. “Hundreds of relatives and friends said goodbye to the loved one and thousands of people protested through Social Networks, which is humanly impossible, to thank individually.”
According to multiple news outlets, Arthur’s family had no idea of the dangers of limestone poisoning.
