That Eldritch Hue: Green, poison, passion, and Privilege Natania Barron Scheele's green was the most fashionable colour for the Victorian elite. Unfortunately the dye combined copper and arsenic and resulted in skin cancer, killing hundreds of textile workers. Did someone say those On that deadly emerald green Kvadrat Interwoven Victorians Were Obsessed With A Shade Of Green That Killed Them This Trendy But Toxic Shade of Green Left Thousands Dead in the Victorian Era