Document 0rvV6R753oQGoae1XYr9rzgb

t Of ^ P'~" L C - i X ' --. THE.-ASSOCIATED E T H Y L C O M P A N Y LIMITED JiiyisltteJOffice.-THEADELPHI.IONBOX,W C.2 -"Iddtvssallcommunications untilJurthcf'noticeto:- ARTILLERY HOUSE, ARTILLERY ROW; LORD ON, SAY 1 J/irrstors J r ty J io n f; #. B O Y L e N .A .G A S S L. N. H A V .' tT O N (U.S.AJ J . B . A U G . K E S S L E R (n e t h I B U A m Os ) F .G -C .M O R R IS R.W. S E L L E R S D. A, S H E P A R D (u.s.A ) A , O. S I N G L E T O N E . E .S O U B R v . t . r .a . b e v a n / . 'in n a q iN tj) a bbey 3 9 7 4 -7 chyrams:\.7 ETHYL-PORT, S O W E ST , LONDON O/eaO U R REF. Y O U R REF. Dr. R. A. Kshoe, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. A. 18th August, 1944. Dear Bob, For your information and records. I enclose copy of a letter from Harrison of Anglo-Iranian, together with Report Ho.8788 referred to therein. Hugh Fossett returned to London last week-end and is preparing a report on his trip, a copy of which I will send to you as soon as it is available. Best wishes, O/ea Original by steamer: copy with enclosures by airmail. KB 0010327 COPY 0? IE TIER O/ea SOM G .a .H arr iso n , Aaglo-Iranian Oil London. Company Ltd. REF. FR0/1QS T.R.A. Bevan, _ The Associated' Ethyl' Co.Ltd London. dated 31st July,1944 Dear Mr. aevan Lead in Atmosphere Braira Drum Filling Plant "with reference to our conversation with Mr. Laughland, v;e send herewith for your information and retention, one copy of Abadan Development Report Ho. 8738 which gives results of lead in atmosphere determinations carried out at the Braim Drum Filling Plant. The following is a relevant extract from Abadan's covering memorandum:- 11 This report is the first part of a programme of work on lead poisoning. It was hoped to have additional informationbefore forwarding the present report, results however are not yet available and the preliminary report is therefore sent for your information. " One test in the five reported shewed a concentration of lead above the permissible maximum but these tests were carried out under the comparatively cool conditions. For the more arduous summer conditions we have arranged :- (1) That the men employed In drum filling will work one week in lead contact duties followed by two weeks on lead-free occupations. (2) Selected men, 4 from the 5 U.S. gallon drum filling plant and 8 from the large (33 and 42 I.G-. drum filling unit) will be submitted each month for lead in urine and clinical tests. (3) Lead in atmosphere tests will be carried out as frequently as results demand. ' In due course we will submit reports detailing our findings." We will arrange to let you have copies of the subsequent reports, referred to above, as they come to hand. ' .(HIONE A) Yours sincerely G. A. Harrison DEVELOPMENT REPORT NO. 8788 REF: NO.TEL/4 WOPXS M ANAGER CHEMICAL & DEVELOPMENT DEPT. ABADAN, 15th March, 1944. LEAD CONTENT OF THE ATMOSPHERE AT THE AVIATION SPIRIT FILLING SHEDS 8TH INTERIM REPORT Requested by: F.E.A. Thompson'Esq. OBJECT: To determine the lead content of the atmosphere at the Braim drum filling shed. SUMMARY & CONCULSION: ;,, 1. The air directly above the drums, -while they are being filled, contains variable concentrations of lead depend ing on the wind direction and intensity, but only one of the five tests showed lead content above the accepted limit of 1 . 5 mg of Pb. per 10 cu.m, of air. 2. Normally the hydrocarbon vapours emerging from the drum are responsible for the lead in the air. Other contri butory causes are occasional overflowing of the spirit due to tiie operator's neglect and a certain amount of spraying around the dram opening at high filling rates. INTRODUCTION: The Braim drum filling shed constists of a steel frame work and roof with no walls and is surrounded by open space on all sides. The drum filling equipment as shown in the sketch (fig. 2) consists of an elevated 8 in. pipe through which the spirit flows, and on which are welded at equal intervals short pieces of 2 in. pipes each fitted with a cock that is set to give the desired rate of flow. There are fourteen such points nine of which w-re in service during the tests mentioned in this re port. By low/ering and raising a special mechanism attached to the 2 in. pipe the operator starts and stops the flow of the spirit into the drum. A piece of copper tubing connected to a -water manometer is inserted in the drum opening and serves as a level indicator. Yvatching the manometer, the operator can tell when the desired level in the drum is reached. 2- EXPERIMENTAL: Lead contents were determined of the air close to one of the filling points at the Braim drum filling shed. Five separate tests were carried out on different days. The sample point was at head height slightly away from the drum in the first two tests (corresponding to the operator's position) and directly above the drum opening in the last three. The exact location of the sample point is shown in the sketch of the shed, Fig. (l), and the results and other particulars of the tests are given in Table 1. DISCUSSION: _ The natural ventilation in the drum filling shed is usually sufficient to make the general atmosphere free from hydrocarbon and T.E.L. vapours. It-is only the air immediately above the'drums that may contain high concentrations of lead. The results of tests given in Table 1, together with actual observation of the filling procedure confirm the follow ing statements. 1. High concentrations of lead may occur in the air directly above the drum while it is being filled. 2. Vapours emerging from the drum opening constitute the main source of lead in the air. - 5. If the cock on the filling line is opened up to maintain a high filling rate, a certain amount of spraying of the spirit takes place around the drum opening, which adds considerably to the lead content of the air. 4. . Occasionally the operator neglects the level indicator and the overflowing spirit contributes further to the lead in the atmosphere. 5. The rate of spillage is very low/ compared to that in the four gallon can filling and contamination of the general atmosphere because of leaky drums is negligible. At any rate the worst spot in the shed is at the filling point, and the operative handling the filling mechanism is most likely to be affected. It is believed that frequent change over of men on this job should be sufficient safeguard against serious lead poisoning. "Work by: Report by: F. ASHRAF. F. ASHRAF. Approved by: W.M. CATCHPOLE Cony to:- Asst. General Manager (R). Asst. Works Manager (P;. F.E. A. Thompson Esc. Supdt. S. & E. Dept. (2) . D.R. 8788 , TABLE 1 LEAD CONTENT OF THE ATMOSPHERE AT BRAIM AVIATION SPIRIT DRUM FILLING SHED Test No. Date Average 1 Average 1 T.E.L.Con Atraos Prevailing Wfind tent of Sample Temperature Wind Velocity the spirit Point Op Direction m.p.h. ml./I.G . # 1 1 21.2.1944 60 W.N.W 4.4 5.4` (1) ' 2 22.2.1944 65 w. 4.9 5.4 ' (l* 5 28.2.1944 70 N.W. 5.9 5.4 ; $ 4 29.2.1944 70 E. 9.7 4.7 (2) 5 1.5.1944 75 S.S.E. 5.9 5.4 (2) 1 1-- -- --- -- -- Volume of air litres ml. Pb solu use 156 70 80 . 77 95 , 0. 0. 1. 1. 4. * See Fig. 1 & 2 V From H. Fossett ' ' to . H IV Rign, .Esq. 23rd July, 1944 APPEHDIX A - ETHYL FLUID AM)' ELEIIMG. Temporary Storage Sites. v ... :.. . > The layout of the temporary war-time storage facilities is regarded a being excellent and needs no comment other than appreciation of the manner in which a difficult situation has been covered The question _ of the maintenance of post-war stocks can only be ' reviewed in the light o f such conditions as may then materialise .I personally feel h o w e v e r that if large . stocks of Fluid are to be carried, then the existing sites can form the nucleus of a permanent scheme after a complete review has been mads of the experience which has been gained-during the war'phase The whole question cf the supply of Fluid-to this area in post-war years is of course subject to a number of factors which are ' noteterminable at-.the present time :c Frequency'of Blending. . V "Mr ^ v .. :. .-rh i :?;it is inevitable that with- the high output of leaded/spirit blending operations have to take place at frequent intervals Blending is currently faking place' at a frequency of up to 20 times per month It is'noted hhwev^^that'ilabo.uri-is so adjusted that no .one, exceeds 'six blonds'' per month. This .procedur e is most "p-y-l'Hy'hty, -:y , / Spcifi ko tea on the three Blending Plants . * " ifsw Aviation Area ' The blending platform should be.-surrounded etiolatelyVith .the"'-enclosing curb to prevent' any accidental .spillage- ox fluid passing outside the nlatfbrsu --.-V';: ` ' -' -.\h - - m i:- t ~ :v - :*. ..wvv> :.-r;Vv v>..' -:-.?vv fv t;-"v,\'. V;v/ 3 v,v -V---v: ,w ; A swir^'joint wasleaking and required attention. - . V. The floor was dirty probably being mainly , - .\: attributable to the leakage^ of the U.OP* inhibitor. '! No. 1 eductor, suction pipe had been modified xr by eliminating the normal external co-axial drum flushing hippie and teeing-in the gasoline wash connection to the .V? fi" fluid suction line iy this means the vfhole of the outside of the suction pipe is wetted with T .L. on ' immersion in a full barrel, and so the upper end is not ' washed clean, during the drum flushing operation, since - it is not normal practice or necessary to fill the drum with wash gasoline, to its full capacity. It v/as observed " that v/orkmen handled this Suction pipe on v/ithcLrawing it ., .r % from the barrel midway along its 'length, so contaminating 'ili their gloves unnecessarily. With the standard- arrangement the whole length of the outside of the f" suction pipe is : completely flushed when wash gasoline is run into the '' 'drum.' ...'. . / -v' -.;--vv ; v-o. " - - It is understood'that this modification was made to enable drums to be evacuated which have tight bungs and have"to; be -drilled. In this connection It is suggested that such drums, .with tight .bungs be segregated and collected' in a batch Csay of.$0.to 100 drums) and the tight bungs ba removed by a suitable key" attached .to an air impact wrench. ,, This equipment will readily remove the tightest bung.' Tbs ' m n performing this operation should of course be equipped - in full regulation clothing. The bungs may be relubricted with a mixture of graphite in a. solution of soap in . ,, glycerine - which.is insoluble in T.EL . \ N .% Is' su^ested that, this plant be modernised by ,, the 'installation of ad2 inch eductor and:a six point fluid '*. sctioh' manifold*';'rwith,'`^'::'.xisting pumps a "Tate of . eduction of 2^' t 30-drums per hour could be achieved : without incurring; an excessive T.E.L. concentration in ' * the .main.circulating XineY The TSL. concentration in this line yohld only b "22 to 25 ccs per gallon. - ; Prom all points of view it is regarded as . advantageous. to speed up the rate of blending. Perhaps the- most' important .point'is the-reduction in the length of. time to V/hich'the workmen, are exposed to the-T.E.L-. operation. ' Y';-v:;V' -'tvv;.,..-,,.-'tv * -; .. ' \ .1 Consideration jftight be given to the incorporation of the jet mixing principle in line with, an increase in -\ the rate of T.E.L eduction.- vV' w - - *V ' Motor Benzine Blending Area. t ? A slight odour of T.E.L. on the platform was # traced to leakage in the eductor piping trench. This * should be rectified and cleansed. ' - v :v ;'-- , ' The Blending Platform floor was rather dirty. ' . Ho individual clothes lockers were available, and) old equipment, e.g. discarded gloves were being retained. Blending takes place here with the main circulating pump crocked down to discharge directly through the three eductors. It would be advantageous again to modernize this plant by the installation of an eductor pump (about 3-50 g.p.is. and 2003 head) and a 2 inch eductor and to bled with the circulating pump operating at maximum output - viz. 2000 g.'p.m. % this-means .'a o point T.E.L. suction, manifold'.could be installed with a consequent reduction ' in time of blending. -AgatQ the jet mixing principle ' might be considered, in. connection with this' proposal. --If^agreed two 2 -inch eductors will be. supplied :.;free of cost for installation at this plant and also the :old-Aviatdon plent %itli suitable nozsj.es'at throats to : give: the optimum 'output. ' . ETHYL- BLEEDING-- GEMSWVL. r-Supervision ~ Procedure and -'Housekeeping0 -: i-i view of the 'extremelyl -large quantities of , '.TsE.L vybeing. handledat:the present time -.-and the likelihood, of an increase in 'the future, there, is' always afiatant' tendency for ;the workmen;to become overfamili-aiv;with - . the operation. Tbi is la camon and. probabl e' falling- when ''large quantities are 'being handled as a..regular/practico. ' The following nates are offered,'by way ?pf 'guidance: and * prevention '/'; ....i-t--;/-.i'll t-> It has been noted that 'foE.L* Blending operators have exhibited high urinary lead excretion figures and such a condition should not arise if meticulous attention is paid to all the details of the stars!Ing regulations covering lead blending . It is suggested that all personnel responsible for supervision should revise from time to time the .' regulations in force and see that ail requirements are faithfully followed. The fact that workmen have ; exhibited high lead excretion figures can only be taken as being indicative, of sons, possibly slight but recurrent, irregularity. ' V "V -' - - I feel that the general standard of housekeeping - could be improved - especially in regard to the cleanliness of floors -and bathrooms. A psychological standard of cleanliness should be set. Individual metal clothe lockers are'essential and these should be kept scrupulously clean and cleared from all unessential equipmenteg, discarded gloves, swabs etc. ; ' Equipment, should be maintained to a similar degree of c3.eanlir.>.ess e.g. drip buckets showing signs of conta mination should be discarded, and renewed - swing joints fluid pipe line etc. maintained free from-leaks* . Safety procedure should be established as instinctive and not as a set precedent' For example. . workmen retiring from the eduction area- and removing gas masks should always? move tip wind and not to a set and established, locality. Also if T*BLV vapour is detectable they should resume their masks or move from, the eraa. These observations also apply to the,clerk , and it is suggested-that this man'might f o r m :one of the -subjects forming the physiological control. Workmen should be taught how to, handle their gloves correctly - i*e* never to handle the palms- or fingers with bare hands but; to `-'wriggle" out of te gloves and then hold them by' `the inside, of the gauntlets Men should be. corx*octsd f if tuey~faxl to 'ebserve such points - by an explanation of the "common sens'" angle - and- in this connection the psychology of net making*a practice of relaying on the ` protective clothing.should be stressed - e.g. avoid direct contact of gloves (even if they do protect) with ail parts of the equipment which may be contaminated* Always consider -the- unexpected - elg* it-was observed at the. old Aviation Area that drums ware not being ' chocked in position. ; ,- ' The criterion .-.to set is to MEVJSR to see .. 'T&L* FLUID, never to get a spot of it on 'protective clothing, and never to smell it . * . _ It is necessary for the TE.L Seferencs Fuel '; Blending btheette to be installed in a proper ventilated hood. i .'' . ;< '7 The `irregular practice of sampling drums for- . laboratory supplies of T-.S.L* is not to be encouraged, . but that such supplies should be covered by the forward or d.eri'ng., of l;it.re can.s' r '' ' ' . * ** ' ' .' '. . - . - ; . . It is-desired that ail fluid of US. origin ie. Lease Lend supplles, should be used up first since it has. been agreed'to supply this area very largely from .the U *&.'.on. a sterling basis A gradual conversion of stocks will thus be achieved . - . ; / / A separata memorandum hasbsdn prepared on the '.properties dy content etc.of all varieties of fluid . which have Veen supplied frost,time to time This not ' also includes data on the correct maintenance of the standard 100 Octane green colour ". ' K 0010337 *` , '