Document 2Q20GwR8oywV70JOdEpNxjXL

sum z% mi Mr, A# T, Erwin Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Art Ames, Iona Pear Mr* Erwins I am glad to reply, as well as X can, to the question in your letter of Fune 22nd, In general there is no sub> sfcnntial danger of appreciable lead absorption from skin contact with watery solutions or suspension of inorganic load compounds* Some of the most soluble compounds 'produce very definite injury to the skin, but the absorption of lead through the skin is negligiblegand this without regard to the presence of ordinary .cut, and wounds* Obviously a surface completely denuded of skin might show somewhat greater absorption than the intact skin, but even here-the inorganic compounds would tend to remain on the surface; and. the actual absorption into the body would be of little consequence* In the case of'materials used:for coating pottery, .one is dealing with quite insoluble compounds of lead and in this instance neither damage to the skin or skin' absorption is to bo feared* It is quit " apparent that such compounds deposited on the skin and beneath the, fingerna,Us may -serve as a satire of gross contamination of food- materials,, tobacco or any other object which is introduced into the mouth. However, reasonable care and cleanliness should serve to prevent damage or any contamination fron this source, Xcu refer in passing to the possible absorption of lead in the form of a spray* Any finely divided material suspended in.the atmosphere as a spray could obviously be inhaled. The degree cf lead absoprtion from &uch a factor would depend, of course, on the actual duration of exposure and the con centration of lead particles in the atmosphere. If the exposure were sever In magnitude and duration, lead poisoning could, of course, result. As a matter of fact, the inhalation of lead compounds in general Is much more dangerous than any other means of exposure 2~ * Mr. A. T. Erwin X trust this will serve to answer your question* but if It leaves any point unanswered*'I shall be pleased to give you any further information which 1 nay have. Very, truly yours * RAK sis KE 0015394