Document 3JoJo8bnK9gKOKakLvkeBYYXE

k3wc, N O R W I C H , N E W YY O R K March 13, 1950 Dr. R. A. Kehoe Kettering Laboratories College of Medicine Cincinnati 19, Ohio Dear Dr. Kehoe: Many thanks for your advice in the question of the lead ointment tubes. I have passed this on to our packaging engineer. I am sending you separately a bottle of our latest product, Foralamin, an antihistaminicjand enclose a folder on this. You might want to keep this on hand in case you develop symptoms of a cold. Those of our staff vdio have used it find it does appear effective in aborting colds. Its low incidence of side reactions and absence of a benzamine linkage, which may be the cause of agranulocytosis, are points in its favor. Sincerely, 1 R. _ Ln, Ph.D. Medical Editor Enclosure N13164 March 5, 1950 Dr . R . J . Main, Medical Editor, Eaton Laboratories, Inc, Norwich* New York. Dear Doctor Main: I have been delayed In 2elying to your letter of February 10, and I hope I can give you some Information on your question. First, let me say, that the vise of lead tubes for the purposes indicated is not very good practice. The very fact that such questions can be raised as those which have occurred to you, introduces a certain amount, of liability into the situation. In my opinion, it is much better not to allow these questions to be raised. During the war tubes made largoybf lead were used for a number of purposes which would not ordinarily be sanctioned. However, the effort was made to coat these at least on the inside, either with a layer of tin or with some plastic material which would prevent attack on the metallic tube. This is good practice, in my opinion, and anything less than this should be discouraged. Despite what has been said above the opportunity for lead intoxi cation, as a consequ<ncb9f>fai&<i:,Siat^dal through the skin under the conditions referred "to in your letter, is almost,if not quite, negligible. The absorption of inorganic compounds of lead through the skin even in.the presence of wounds and contusions and abrasions, is practically non-existent.. Therefore, if it is quite certain that a material introduced into one of these containers is to be applied on the skin only, there can be very little question of hazard. I would have no fear that such an actual hazard would exist, but I still say that it is bad practice, since the question can be raised, and it is very difficult to prove, in the individual case, that a claim of injury made on this kind of cause, is completely invalid. I think It would be unwise to allow the question to be raised in connection with food materials, tooth pastes, various other materials of that kind, including therapeutic agents. It is always a pleasure to hear from you, and I hope that if you have any other questions that I can answer from time to time, you will not hesitate to let me hear from you. Sincerely yours, RAK ef N13164.01 \(E 0012507 Robert A. Kehoe, M. D. February 10, 1950 g r . If . A. Kehoe v,-|.i.iiIug Laboratories Co lle g e ? 1- e d icin e C:im -1iiu.'i t>i 19, Ohio D(,;,r l ' i 1. Keh o e: iince again I must infringe upon your generosity to ask your advice i. load. t nappons that we here airways use tin or aluminum co Il q.sible tubes .tor ointments. However, very recently we were asked by .i ilui.in of^drug stores to produce some ointments for them and they suit Lind us vath lead tubes. Y/e noted that in these nevr tubes that m o:A ,.| them were somewhat discolored on the inside with a grayish pO'Vii',,r which l would guess to be perhaps lead carbonate. Since these Oill include such things as sulfonamide ointments and certain first aid ointments containing weird mixtures of zinc oxide, essential oils etc.* ''t,e*5 .and because these could be applied to open wounds and burns, I nm > Hidering vnether there is any possibility of lead poisoning from the*,r use. Ox course no ingradient would be placed in a lead tube which won 1d ;w-lively react with the lead since this 'would soon destroy the tube 1)0 Fou happen to know of any reports in the literature which won 1vl suggest that there is a danger in such practices? W u m a y b e sure that can iu It- me. i l l be most appreciative of anything you .\111 best regards, I ran Sincerely, 11...J. Main, Fh.D. M e d i c s T 'Edi t o r N13164.02 E 00.125 0o