Document DG0jRxbLK82e44vQmQ0kbZxkB

acc r\ Mr. 'v/. R. Perdue, Jr (2) < Mr. F. P. Vv arne Dr. John D* Porterfield Acting Surgeon General Public Health Service Department of Health, Education and Welfare Washington 25* D. C. . ' Dear Dr, Porterfields Thank you for your letter of August 21, 1959 and the enclosed report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Tetraethyl LSiadt. Following 'receipt of this report Ethyl Corpora tion has notified its domestic customers that they may use con centrations of tetraethyl lead in motor fuel up to four cubic centimeters per gallon if they so desire. Bearing in mind that th present average TED concentration in gasoline is approximately two cubic centimeters per gallon we do not believe that" any large or sudden increase in TSL concentration will result from cur action. However, you my be sure that we will continue to ob serve and study the situation carefully as we have-for the past thirty-five years. We also assure you that the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Committee will receive constant and careful con sideration. With respect to the third of these recommendations -- namely, that the Public Health Service in collaboration with manu facturers of TEL, th petroleum industry and other organisations conduct studies to provide snore definite data on levels and trends of atmospheric contamination in selected areas -- we will be happy to consult with you at. your convenience on devising and carrying out appropriate studies. We appreciate very much the manner in which you have treated our request for consideration of higher lead concen trations and wish to assure you that we will continue to cooperate in every way with the Public Health Service in protecting the pub lic from any possible hazard in th manufacture, distribution and use of antiknock compounds containing tetraethyl lead. 'fours very truly. 000827a