Document 4JxNz3GZyOp3Yr9bV8oR4ZZgN

December 20, 19J8 Dr* J# liastmacher Sourabaya Java Dear Doctor Harataachor* I have received i n f o r m to fron the London office of Ethyl Export Corporation to the effect that your services have been sought by representatives of the Asiatic Petroleum Company for the supervision of certain workmen who will be engaged in raising Ethyl Fluid with gasoline at their Bandaran plant* It has appeared from various items of corres** oondence which have come to me that you have had a considerable anxiety concerning the dangers associated with this work. It seems advisable, therefore, that I communion fee with you and give you the benefit of our experience In connection with this work, 'hs letter i7ill also serve as a confirmation of your appointment of this position. As the t-%dical Director of Ethyl Export Corporation, I have been responsible for the approval of the equipment which has been developed for the raising operations* I have Iso been responsi ble for regulations which have been concerned with the operation of mixing equipment and with all other means of dealing with Ethyl Fluid and leaded gasoline* I tm also in charge of the medical supervision of all mixing plants. In an entirely separate capacity, I am director of a laboratory in the University of ^Inolnnatl which is engaged in the study of occupational diseases and in this capacity I have directed ranch of the experi mental work.which has had to do with the problem of handling Ethyl Fluid and the public health problem of the distribution of leaded gasoline* Accordingly I am sending you information In the form of reprints of a series of published articles which de*l both with the ollcloal phase of this matter and the experimental* I send you also a memorandum which was prepared for the benefit of consultants of Ethyl Export Corporation, in which the general policies of the Medical Department are set forth* I trust you will find these of interest and value . . H E 003464 2 - ^ Briefly* with reference to the dativere of this occuration, It should be said that If the Mixing equipment la constructed properly and operated properly, there will be no danger whatever of lead poison ing among the workmen* The mixing equipment la simple in design and easy to operate The regulations are set up for the purpose of avoiding all exposure to lead compounds Indeed the actual safety of these operations' is so great that there has been no case of lead poisoning in connection with this work, nor has thore been evidence of measureable load absorption among the workmen# One might assume from this that there is no great need of medical supervision* This, however, In my opinion,is not the case it-has been my practice to use the medical exam!natins as a means of seeking out the slightest evidence of lead absorption I have also instructed medical men to inspect mixing plants from time to time and to b on th alert to discover any evidence that the regulations are not being adequately carried out By this double means of examination of the men and supervision of the equipment, I have expected to maintain precise and accurate operations, with the full confidence that If such precision wore cfctalned, there could be no cases of poisoning. Our experience has shown us that quarterly exam* tm tlons of the men and quarterly inspections of the mixing plants are quite adequate in main tain lug the care which la necessary I do not believe, therefor, that yon will find It necessary to examine the men more frequently thah this, nor do I think you need bo unduly alarmed about the dangers to the men* I would appreciate it very much if you would communicate With mo from time to time, letting me know of any difficulties,which may arise in connection with your work in this field. For ny part I will keep you supplied with further information os it develops so that you may be aware of any new factors In this connection I should, perhaps. Invite your apodal attention to the problem of the cleaning of tanks which have been used for mixing and storing loaded gasoline, I shall not go Into the details of this problem at this time since the whole matter is under study, and sine we shall soon be In position to issue a publication on it* However tho regulations which we have designed for preventing danger to workmen in this type of work are very necessary and should b put into effect* One of the articles which I era sending you makes some mention of tails problem and defines briefly the origin of the lead exposure# It Is necessary to recognise that In this  5* * exposure we do not; fear ohroni lead poisoning but rather an acute type of cerebral intoxication 'hieh la so dramatis clinically* and ehich is so serious from the point of vie of outcome v/itfa be b eishes for the success of your uorh* I am Sincerely yours ::AKils cc Dr. de Priester libbe r fe'"''^r"*f ir\ r uu 4 o4bij