Document 2RgqV9K4NMn8ozzrZjM033w3N

/ | Dr. S. Dove - Replaced Dr. Hur/ \ tado, Colombian Petroleum Company > Cucuta, Colombia. n fOf100 3 n IT) ' :iv -'v; Cucufea, Colombia. Dear Dr. Dove: My attention has boon called by Mr. Riaso-Gill of the Associa-ced kthyl Company, to the fact that you have replaced Dr. Hurtado, as medical director of Colombia Petroleum Company. Mr. jRlseo-Gill further informs me that lie has forwarded cer tain articleson the medical aspects of the handling of tetraethyl lead and leaded gasoline, as translated into Spanish. There are quite a number of other articles on var.ioua phases of the problem of load absorption and the diag nosis of lead poisoning, which have not been translated from the English, and which I can send you, if you are in terested. The articles In your possession will probably convoy to you much more adequately than a letter, the nature of the general medical problem, rerhaps, I might supplement them with a few comments, 1 shall also end you a memoran dum which represents an attempt to express certain general medical policies which we have attempted to develop in con nection with t .is work. The men engaged in mixing Ethyl fluid with gasoline are ex posed to certain rather serious potential dangers, since te traethyl lead in Its concentrated form is a very dangerous poison which can be absorbed Into the body with considerable rapidity. However* if the work is done properly with the equipment provided for the purpose, there is no reason why anyone should absorb measurable quantities of lead. We have never had a case of lead poisoning among the several thou sands of men engaged in this work in this country, and we are sure that if the equipment is kept in good condition, and If the regulations are followed, there will be no trouble. The medical supervision serves the primary purpose, therefore, of detecting any failure on the part of the men to follow the regulations and to do their work properly. Any evidence of lead absorption can be regarded as the result of some mistake or carelessness in handling the product. We believe that the examinations should be done carefully and at regular intervals, and that the men should be reminded of the necessity of great precision in following regulations. 1'he mixing plant should be examined critically from time to time to see that it is kept in order, and the masks and all other protective equip- HE 0033405 in connection with the normal handling of the gasoline. In deed, there is only one situation which requires mention in this connection. I refer here to the fact that under the conditions waich prevail in a storage tank used for holding leaded gasoline,a number of things happen which give rise to acute danger of lead exposure when the tanks are entered for the purpose of cleaning. ithout going into detail to ex plain what occurs, it may be said that the sludge in the bottom of such tanks may contain significant quantities of tetraethyl lead and other volatile lead compounds. Regula tions have been issued for the avoidance of lead exposure in carrying on this kind of work, and management of refineries and storage plants should be kept acquainted with the dangers involved and with the necessity of following these regulations in the utmost detail. X o u w i i l find specific .reference to those regulations in the booklet of the regulations, w h i c h I am sending you. (V/e shall send the printed matter under separate cover by ordinary mail together with a copy of thi3 letter.) I should appreciate it very much if you would acquaint me with any difficulties or unusual circumstances which may deve lop in connection with this work. If I can be of any service to you in ansv/ering any questions or in giving you any other assistance, please do not hesitate to call upon me. Cordially yours, RAK ef Enc. Robert A. n-ehoe, D. H E 001340G