Document 0xrgoQ0jDvkvaQdemQ31V8Rk

hr. IVirley Ur. Drummond i>T-, Hogg Austral if* youth Africa New Zealand Dear Dr. Pairley, As you may well be aware, a new anti-knock compound Tetramethyl bead has been introduced into certain types of gasoline at present in use in limited areas in the U.3.A. It is thought likely that at some future time, possibly in the near future, gasoline containing Tetramethyl bead will he intorduced into areas outside the U.S.A. ifith this in view, Dr. Kehoe, Director of the Kettering Laboratory, Cincinnati, and I have just completed a tour of Western European countries during the course of which we have provided Government Health Authorities, Occupational Health headers, Oil Company Doctors and our own Doctors with all the available information that we have to date on the toxicological and public health aspects of this material, both in a concentrated form and when blended with gasoline. Over all the problem does not differ substantially from that presented by Tetraethyl 1-,ead and it is intended to apply the same safety recommendations in respect of manufacture and distribution as applied to Tetraethyl Lead at the present time. The higher volatility of Tetramethyl Lead would appear to increase the hazard, with particular reference to the handling of gasoline, but- this is counter balanced to some extent by the lower toxicity vis-n-vis Tetraethyl Lead and in any case the overall increase is of little or no practical significance. I enclose such information as we have -2available at the present time, including a copy of a lieport by Dr. Kehoe of a field trial which was undertaken in a taxicab garage in California in the summer of 1959. In accordance witli our past practical we feel it desirable to inform the appropriate health authorities in Australia of the possibility that gasoline containing T.M.Ii. may be introduced into your country and to acquaint them with the nature of the hygenic question and it? present status in the U.S.A. At the same time, it would probably be as well to inform our own Doctors and Oil Company Doctors. rfe should be most grateful if you would undertake to provide this information to the appropriate health authorities on our behalf as soon as possible, and to inform us of what proceduria.l action, if any, would be required in Australia prior to the introdcution of this mnterial into gasoline. A copy of this letter is being forwarded to Mr.Batchelor who will be happy to assist you in any way that he can. I trust that all is well with you and look forward to hearing from you soon. iVith kind regardd, lours sincerely, K& 0008243