Document 23JnjEZrwRO80JxM76KDN7mR

TREASURY DEPARTMENT Bureau of The Public Health Service WASHINGTON November 2, 1928 Mr. E. W. Webb, President, Ethyl Gasoline Corporation, 25 Broadway, New York City. Dear Mr. Webb: It has been thought for some time that the vanning signs on the pumps dispensing tetraethyl gasoline at filling stations, while complying with the regulations proposed by the Public Health Ser vice, have not been satisfactory.as to uniformity and effectiveness. I may also have told you that at the time these regulations were under consideration some of the members of the committee which advised me suggested that the word "LEAD", rather than the word 1IETHYL" should be stressed; the developments slncethe committee's report have strengthened the opinion that the real hazard so far as the gasoline is concerned is merely that of lead. I have taken up these two matters with the members of the original committee and they all agree that the proposed regulations for the distribution of gasoline containing tetraethyl lead should be amended to read as follows ' "1. Each filling station shall keep prominently displayed on eac-h pump which delivers motor fuel containing tetraethyl lead, a sign or signs reading as follows, in prominent heavy gothic capital letters, black on white background: CONTAINS LEAD (TETRAETHYL) AND IS TO BE USED AS MOTOR FUEL ONLY, NOT FOE CLEANING OR ANY OTHER USE. AVOID SPILLING. The printed matter on the sign, not counting the enclosing border, shall measure approximately 6 1/2 inches wide by 7 1/2 inches high. The first line (CONTAINS) shall be in letters J>/k of an inch high, the second (LEAD) in letters 1 inch high, and the remainder in letters 7/16 of an inch highAll words of the sign shall be kept clear and prominent, the entire sign to be within the limits of 5 feet and 4 feet above the ground level. Such a sign shall be maintained on the face of each side of the pump at which delivery could be made. 2. Suitable leaflets shall be available at all filling stations where Ethyl gasoline is sold, for distribution on request. These leaflets shall describe the possible dangers c. and precautions to be taken in the use of Ethyl gasoline. p. Containers of Ethyl gasoline sold to consumers shall bear the following label in such a position as to be plainly legible when the container is openedi CONTAINS LEAD (TETRAETHYL) AND IS TO BE USED AS MOTOR FUEL ORLY, NOT FOE CLEARING OR ANY OTHER USE. AVOID SPILLING." Though the term 'Ethyl gasoline" is used in paragraphs one and two of the above proposed regulations as in another set of proposed regulations, those for mixing Ethyl fluid, it is understood that . with the use of this new sign your customers will be relieved from the necessity of using the word 'Ethyl" in connection with their product, since the term 'Ethyl gasoline'* as used in these regulations are Included all other motor fuels containing tetraethyl lead,. It is believed that the above 3igns , expressing in as few and as oiilckly read words as possible the elementary precautions considered advisable, having a uniform lettering, and placed so that they may easily be read from the driver's seat of an automobile, will be more satisfactory than any specification as to the name of the gasoline. The ti-ade name of the gasoline or other motor fuel would in many instances be above the sign, at the top of the pump, thus completing the first sentence of the sign-- In some cases it may be desired to Insert the name of the gasoline on the first line of the sign; I think such a practice would comply with the above regulations provided the lettering used is the same in color, size, and style, as that of the line "(TETRAETHYL) AND". It would be expected that these new signs would be required on all new installations, but of course it would take some time and probably some structural alterations to have them uniformly placed on all old pumps. Vithin two years, however, the change should be complete. Though not suggested as a matter of regulation, I would advise that in so far as practicable, filling station tanks dispensing tetraethyl lead gasoline be equipped with control cocks cn the- end of the nozzle in such a way as to minimize the chances of spillage, and further that these pumps be arranged so'that the red color of the gasoline is easily visible to the consumer during delivery. It is also believed that where gasoline containing tetraethyl lead is called by some other name than Ethyl gasoline, the advertisements should contain a statement as to this tetraethyl lead content. Of course no advertising should be used which in any way might imply that tetraethyllead gasoline is safe to use without any precautions. A copy of the former proposed regulation, and one of the new signs, are enclosed herewith- Very truly yours, KE 0009241 H. . Cumming Surgeon General COPY Proposed Eep;ulatlons for Distribution of Ethyl Gasoline 1. Each filling station shall have prominently displayed at the pump, or in other conspicuous place, the following warning or one cf similar effectiveness: 'tethyl Gasoline containing tetraethyl lead, to be used as motor fuel only, and not for cleaning or any other purpose. 2. Suitable leaflets shall be available at all filling stations where Ethyl Gasoline is sold, for distribution on request. These leaflets shall describe the possible dangers and pre cautions to be taken in the use of Ethyl Gasoline. 3* Containers of Ethyl Gasoline sold to the general public shall be labeled: "Ethyl Gasoline containing tetraethyl lead. To be used for motor fuel only, and not for cleaning or any other purposes . " 0009250 N9975.01 Et h y l Ga s o l in e Co r p o r a t io n 3 BROADWAY Ne w Yo r k ETHYL out that RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR DISTRIBUTION OF ETHYL GASOLINE (NO MATTER UNDER WHAT NAME IT MAY BE SOLD) 1. Each filling- station shall have prominently displayed at the pump the following warning: "Ethyl Gasoline containing tetraethyl lead, to be used as a motor fuel only, and not for cleaning, washing or any other purpose." 2. Suitable leaflets shall be available at all fill ing stations where Ethyl Gasoline is sold, for dis tribution on request. These leaflets shall describe the possible dangers and precautions to be taken in the use of Ethyl Gasoline. 3. Containers of Ethyl Gasoline sold to the -general public shall be labeled: "Ethyl Gasoline containing tetraethyl lead. To be used for motor fuel only and not for cleaning, washing or any other purpose," Ethyl Gasoline is intended and sold only as a motor fuel and not for the various other purposes for which ordinary gasoline is used; and in order to prevent possible misuse, you are advised: HE 000S251 1. Do not use it in lamps or stoves, or for cooking purposes of any kind. 2. Never use it for cleaning tools, machinery, clothing or hands. 3. Do not carelessly spill it. 4. Avoid spilling it on your clothing or skin. 5. In operations where skin contact is unavoid able, such as removing valves from cars for drainage of residual gasoline, it is recom mended that soap and water be immediately used to wash the hands and arms wherever practicable. The use of waste or other ab sorbent material for the removal of gasoline from the skin is suggested as a second possibility. 6. Wash your hands before food, tobacco or anything else is conveyed to the mouth, after handling motor parts of the exhaust or fuel system of an automobile. Motorists are reminded that there is danger in volved in handling all kinds of motor fuel. When breathed as vapor, or when absorbed through the skin in sufficient quantity, any kind of gasoline will produce serious results; and when allowed to remain in contact with the skin it frequently pro duces irritation and blistering. N9975.02