Document EddL7k8Zmd207dYEKmN8QYkx0

D EPARTMEN T OF H EALTH , ED U CATION , AN D W ELFARE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE May 6, i9 6 0 Mr. George F . K irb y Vice Presiden t Re se arch and Developm ent Departm ent E th y l Co rp o ratio n P . 0. Bo x 3^1 B a to n Ro uge 1, Lo u is ia n a Dear Mr. Kirby: Th an k yo u f o r yo u r l e t t e r o f May 2, i9 6 0 , e n c lo s i n g a co py o f th e p re s s package re le a s e d b y th e Stan dard G il Co tp&n y o f C a l i f o r n i a i n r e l a t i o n t o te tr a m s t h y l l e a d . For yo ur in fo rm atio n , th e re i s e n clo se d a co py o f th e m a t e r i a l "which th e P u b lic H e a lth S e r v ic e h a s made a v a i l a b l e t o PETROLEUM WEEK i n r e s p o n s e t o i t s i n q u i r y . Sincerely yours* V. G. MacKenzl A s s is ta n t C h ie f, R e se arch and Developm ent D ivis io n o f En gin eerin g S e rvice s En clo su re c c : D r. R o b e rt A . Keboe 0002826 o. s. mximmsm of H EALTH , EDOCJVT2CM, U SD 15E2FAB E Public Health Service Washington, >. c. In response to inquiries, the Public Health Service today issued the following statements Early in January, the Public Health Service was requested by representatives of the petrolem industry research field to express an opinion on proposed changes in the lead content of motor gasoline. The changes contemplated involve the use of tetraethyl lead as a replacement in whole or in part for tetraethyl lead, following research that demonstrated an advantage to be gained, in automobile engine performance. Although the Public Health Service does not have any legal authority to regulate- the use of such substances in gasoline, the service's opinions were sought by industry, because both tetramethyl and tetraethyl lead are Jsnown to b potentially toxic substances. In subsequent discussions, the industry sources made available to the Public Health service cos$>lete data on the research that they have done on the subject j\ E 000282? V -2- la response to the industry request* the Public Health Service advised as follows t "%m believe that the decision to use TUL as a .substitute fear TEL is one which should be made by the congenies concerned after due consideration of the hazards which may result to the general public and to workers engaged in the manufacture of t m l and its blending and also those engaged in the wholesale and retail rrarketing of these gasolines. we also believe that representatives of the companies should discuss this faatter with the state health authorities in the states concerned, "If the decision -is m d e to use TML as a gasoline additive* we would suggest that the companies conduct studies that would demonstrate its acceptability fro the public health viewpoint, should it develop that TML cannot be manufactured and used in gasoline without undue risk to the workers or to the public* the Public Health Service would recommend that its use be dis- continued. "In the manufacture and blending of m , it is also suggested that the same hygienic standards applicable K r- 0002828 3 to TEL b used. "Should the companies coneemed proceed with the substitution of TML for TEL, we suggest that liaison be established between the companies and the Public Health Service with die understanding that the Public Health service will have access to all clinical, enviromaenfca1 and other pertinent data relating to any studies undertalcen we also suggest that the coapanies present to the Public Health Service one year after initiating the substitution, a report on the impact of TML on the contamination of the atmosphere in a major metropolitan center as well as clinical and environmental data demonstrating the safety of controls in the manufacture, use and handling of TML and of gasolines containing this compound." In addition, the Public Health service reviewed the following details proposed by industry in the event that the industry proceeded with the use of TML as a gasoline additive, and stated that they appeared reasonable under present circumstances i 1. The maximum concentration of tetrsasethyl lead in gasoline should be limited at this time to 2.06 Kfc 0002829 sill11liters per American gallon. This is equivalent in lead content to gasolines containing 3 milliliters of tetraethyl lead per gallon. 2. The warning sign on pursps and other container should he changed to read "lead alkyl* rather than "lead tetraethyl**, otherwise the sign would he identical to that in present use* A sign with this terminology could then he used on gasoline pusp or containers containing either tetraethyl or tetraaxethyl. 3. In the case of gasoline containing a mixture of tetraethyl and tetramethyl lead, the maximum concentration of lead should not toe in excess of the equivalent of 4 milliliters of tetraethyl lead per gallon sad that the tetrajaefchyl fraction be no greater than 2.OS milliliters per gallon. k ^ 0002830