Document 100brzNR02mp6LVVKp74oXJ0o

Et hyl Gasol ine Corporat ion J Gh u v s l e r B u i l d i n g -i0 5 Le x in g t o n Av e n u e SAFETYDIVISION Ro be r t A. Ke ho e ,M.D. C H AIRM AN Os c a r B. Le w is ma n a g er Hu s s e i n Sc h e l l ASSISTA N T M ANAGER Ne w Yo r k March 5, igb-O . Dr. R. A. Kghoe Dear Dr. Kehoe: Attached hereto is a letter, the signature of which seems to he W. Harrison, from the Shell Oil Company, San Francisco. Regarding the question involved, namely absorption of lead from the atmosphere, this can probably only be answered by yourself. Therefore, would you be good enough to handle it or let us know if we can be of any as sistance. Very truly yours, - f / - WiGCL Enclosure RE 001215o . WMbJS h e l l O il C o m p a n y Shel l B u i Sa n Fr a n c i s c o February 28, 1940 C A B L E A D D R ESS SHELL- SAN FRANCISCO t e l e p h o n e EXb r o o k 5400 ETHYL GASOLINE CORPORATION 420 Lexington Avenue Graybar Building Nev.r York, NewYork Dear Sirs: As you know, we recently began using ethyl fluid in our second structure gasoline and we quote below the contents of a letter just received from one of our customers: "For several years, I have been a regular user of Supershell gasoline, pri marily because in this vicinity it was the only readily available regular structure gasoline which did not contain lead tetra ethyl as an antiknock. I found the now obsolete type Supershell entirely satisfactory from almost every other standpoint, also, for ny 1957 Ford and later for my 1940 Ford. In checking my records I find that since June 1, 1959 to February 11, 1940 I purchased 510 gallons of Supershell. "I feel that leaded gasoline may have undesirable effects in an automobile but this is a minor objection, for new engines, new mufflers, new tail pipes can be bought cheaply, I condemn the use of lead most strenuously because of the health hazard. I object to the pollution of the atmosphere in which vre live and breathe by an ever increasing use of lead. Since lead may be absorbed by the body through the respiratory tract, and since it is a cumulative poison, gasoline containing i t should not be offered to the public until i t has been definitely proved that exposure to exhaust fumes containing lead even in minute quantity is not distinctly hazardous." Inasmuch as we have just begun to ethylize our second structure gasoline, we will probably receive similar letters from other customers who had been using our unleaded Super Shell. You undoubtedly have had similar inquiries and we assume have data available concerning the health hazard to individuals by the exhaust fumes resulting from the use of tetra ethyl lead in gasoline. It would, therefore, be appreciated if you would pass to us data which would serve to en lighten those who are presently concerned about the absorbing of lead through the respiratory tract inasmuch as lead is a cumulative poison. Areply by air mail would be appreciated as we are anxious to answer the letter in question without undue delay. Very truly yours, ' SHELL OIL COMPANY