Document E6oV5qyndxz8Jq4xEveGQjBR

January 12* 193$ Hr. E. P. Burk Pure Oil Company Hewark, Ohio - Bear Mr. Burki- . Sortie time ago when 1 received, indirectly, the request that I have one of my associates examine certain men in your employ, I asked Mr. H. D, Siebenthaler, Safety Engineer of Ethyl Gasoline Corporation, to look Into the situation and to report to me concerning It, Some days ago I received Mr. Siebenthaler's report indicating that oertain of^your employees have had boils and various other types of skin irritation which have been attributed by them and, apparently by one or more doctors, to contact with gasoline. I am led to believe from Mr. Siebenthaler's report that you are not of the opinion that leaded gasoline is more open to suspicion than other gasolines in relation to these conditions. In any case I should like to point out to you that not only gasoline but many other petroleum products are capable of producing dermatitis and also of contributing to the production of recurrent bolls. In general, with respect to the latter, it can be said that dirt or grit is ^ important factor* ;Over period' C f w ? a -fairproportion' of filling station men and garage mechanics affected, particularly on their lower extremities,with small pimples and boils as a consequence of both dirt and grease on their clothing, The avoidance of contac t with petroleum produota and suitable-attentlon to personal cleanliness will easily dispose of these within a reasonable period of time. As to ordinary gasoline dermatitis, one finds a considerable variation among men as to the type and severity of this condition. There is no question of the ability of gasoline to produce dermatitis quite independentiof other factors. The lead content of the gasoline has been found both by experience and by experimental observations to be harmless with respect-to skin lesions. As a-ratter of fact, the concentrated Ethyl Fluid is by no means as irritating to the skin as is gasoline, and in this iff lenities- However I wish to assure you that if y o u f eel that we oould be of assistance to you in blearing up t h l s & i f floulty, X should be quite willing to aalc one of my men to look into the situation and to examine one or more men, and to give them such advice and reassurance as the cir~ cornstancee may require* Very truly yours, RAK?ls Robert A. It'eShioeV' K. >