Document 06QMYQ78OxB3rdVrQ2aXYKaKn

td 03 U ^ 10 ? 03 CO <j Ch MCD 3 *CO0 W0 CD tt) Po> Hca H co I CHgIQ* >N P P3 H CD 03 | I 0013484 Deoetaber 20* 1933 Dp* J* Roels $2 Avenue doe Agaleoa Brussels Dear Doctor Roela* I had the pleasure last summer of visiting Brussels and of talking el h Dr* Sfcaasena of the Government Health Department concerning the introduction of leaded gasoline into Belgium* It baa always been my purpose to melee sure that we have a capable medical advisor to supervise the miming operations within any country* and X was very much pleased to have Dr* Stassens recommend that you be approached on this subject* Since that time X have heard frem oasmerolal representatives of Ethyl Export Cor poration* oho have told a that you have agreed to look after this work# X am very glad that you find it possible to do so since I feel confident that this noana that this work can be carried out In Belgium without any serious difficulties# I am sending to you under separate cover* a bound volume of the published articles from this laboratory which 1 believe you will find of interest* It seems probable that you have availed yourself of the information which Is in the hands of Dr* ^tassetts* but in any case X think you will find it useful, to have this volume for reference# Along with It X em sending a memorandum for medical consultants which 2 prepared with the idea of calling attention to the general policies of the Medical Department of Ethyl Export Corporation# 2 believe there is nothing in these policies which will conflict in any way with your official duties* X send you also a few more recent articles which X think will be of Interest to you* In addition to the information which Is In the articles* X wish to oall your attention to one danger which will not arise for some time in Belgium but which is worthy of anticipation* Under certain conditions lead compounds accumulate in tanks which have been used for mixing and storing leaded gasoline* In recognition of this* we have issued certain regulations for precautions in cleaning such tanks* It is important 0013485 i that these regulations be put into effect whenever if : auch tanka are to be cleaned# t shall not discuss this subject in detail for we shall soon be preparing a complete report of our study of this problem* I mention it here merely to bring it to your attention* I should appreciate it if you would write me from time to time and particularly if any difficulties arise* It Is possible that 1 can be of some assistance to you in avoiding such diffi culties > and I shall be happy to do so# In the above connection, ay attention has been called to the fact that a small chemical manufacturing company by the name of ''Compromat" has been carrying on work which indicates their intention of manufacturing an anti-knock compound in Belgium# Prom such information as has come to me, this compound contains a volatile lead compound, and it is presumed that the patent of Ethyl Export Corporation would be something of a deterrent to this enterprise# However this phase of the matter does not interest me# I am much more concerned with the fact that the manufacture of those compounds is an extremely hazardous affair, and I should very / much hate to so a repetition of the difficulties which occurred in this country# wherever volatile lead com pounds have been manufactured, oven In comparatively small amounts, without a stringent medical supervision, trouble has occurred from a series of cases of poisoning and there have usually been deaths# As a consequence of this difficulty, we undertook years ago a most careful study of the hazards of this work, and wo have systematical ly, over a period of years, given our best advice and attention to ths development of safety devices# Tho result of this has been that a means of manufacturing these lead compound# with safety has been provided# It haa been, however, a very costly enterprise# e have had to work with the engineers of the manufacturing in such a way as to get the most useful and effective arrangements of factory, ventilation, dust disposal and all such similar precautions# I am quit confident that when these manufacturers in Belgium attempt to produce these lead compotinds In a large scale, they will repeat the errors which have been made by their predeces sors with the result that you will have cases of poisoning, and you will have a serious hygienic problem to deal with* I should Ilk to see this avoided not only because it is unnecessary to repeat these Incidents, but also because It would b an exceedingly bad thing for the commercial interests of Ethyl Export Corporation# The latter reason is not, of course, the most important one from a medical point of view, but it does merit some consideration. KF 0013486 If and when this problem arises in an acute form* I should b pleased If you would let me know about It. X m in position to give you a great deal of detailed information as to tho safety provisions which ar necessary In such chemical plants* X should much prefer to give you all the knowledge that I have In this matter* including representative drawings and equipment* rather than to see serious difficulties arise in this field. Ab an example of what I mean, this same question arose in Italy some years ago* X attempted to forestall it by advising the people who were undertaking the manufacture of tetraethyl lead. They failed to take seriously what I told them because they believed I was merely trying to make it difficult for thorn to compete with KthyX Export Corporation by throwing all manner of obstacles in the form of expensive equipment in their nay* Preceding mi their own judgment, they manufactured tetraethyl lead but as a consequence there were several deaths* a aeries of cases of illneas, and finally it was found necessary to make use of safety provisions* similar to those I had outlined* I am sure from ray experience that one can expect a repetition of those same difficulties unless these plants are built and operated on the basis of the experience which has already been gained In this field* X have not written to Dr* Stassens on this point* I shall do so only if you so advise me* X think* however* you might discuss the matter with him and if either you or he are desirous of obtaining more information from tae* X should be glad to contribute all of the information which 1 have* Very truly yours* HA':* is koFerCIi"*.lHo*rTi'il5*