Document GmO8mV0okaGVnxYoZjLRLovBr

St a n d a r d Oil Co mp a n y (i x d i a n a ) Du. Bk y c e B. Re e v e , Dik k c t o k o f .Mk d ic a l Db i t . 910 So u t h Mic h ig a n Av e n u e Ch ic a g o , Il u . January JO, 19~6 Dr. Robert A. Kehoe College of Kediclne University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio Dear Dr. Kehoe: I am enclosing copy of correspondence we have had from Thermopolls, Wyoming in regards to a case where an individual is suing the city for blind ness and is claiming that his trouble is due to the handling of leaded gasoline. I realize that tile in formation present is very meager as far as details are concerned, but the City Council has asked for informa tion and guidance in regard to defense of this claim. As this claim more or less pertains to leaded gasoline, I thought it v/ould be of interest to you, and I v/ould like to have your guidance and advice in regards to further correspondence. This is not the first.time we have had information where someone at the Liayo Clinic has in ferred that certain cases n*y be the result of lead poisoning from handling leaded gasoline. I shall apprecia-te receiving your com ments as soon as possible*. Very truly yours, --/3A3-AS H.D. KE 0016156 c 0 p Y- Thermopolis, Wyoming January l6. Standard Oil Company of Indiana Denver, Colorado Gentlemen: Re: File T Attention D. F. Benton Mr. P. B. McKiernam, who owns the Big Horn Garage here in this City, referred me your letter of Jan uary 11, 19^6, and asked me to answer the same and give you what information I can concerning the claim of Dallas Langshaw against the City of Thermopolls. claims that in May 19^3 he lost the sight of both eyes and has filed for compensation against the city. He worked for the City at the pumping plant for about three years prior to that time. Prior to that he was engaged in a garage and filling station business. He claims that prior to his losing his sight he suffered no ill effects in his sight. His first claim was based upon lead poisoning, or other poisoning caused by chlorine gas which was used at the plant. After his Attornies found that Chlorine gas did not contain lead, or lead in sufficient quantities to cause poisoning, they now claim that he was poisoned from the use of gasoline. Gasoline was used in the pumping plant build ing only for the purpose of starting a small compressor in order to start the motors which pumped the water for the City. The amount of gasoline used in this was delivered in five gallon cans and poured Into the tank of the small motor when necessary, the tank having a cap which was then screwed down so that the gasoline could not escape. The amount used was not more than five gallon each three months. The build ing in which the gasoline was used is approximately 4o ft. by 100 ft. in dimension with high ceiling and plenty of ventila tion. It is not known in what manner the Claimant handled the gasoline, but there was nothing in the way that it should normally be handled except as I have explained in this letter. The Claimant has not given the details of the manner in which he handled the gasoline, but it is probable that it would only be Handled and placed in the tanks not more than once or twice a month. KIT 0016157 NI8666.01 -2- The Claimant first noticed the symptoms of his blindness shortly before his eyes were effected. His eyes were not effected at that time, but he states he had been ill quite a long time and at one time had had a faint ing spell and before he went blind bad sharp pains come up through his back and through his eyes, and that his eyes were painful. That after he became blind, there wasn't so much pain, that the main optic nerves were dead, and other nerves were dead with exception of some small nerve by which he could distinquish objects, and that the Doctor said the nerves turned white - that through a long period of time and by consulting to different Doctors, he finally went to Mayo Bros. Clinic. All of the Doctors disagreed as to what was the natter with thim. First he went to Dr. Carter and Dr. Vicklund in Thermopolis, both of whom told him that his condition was temporary and that he would shortly recover. This was before his blindness. At that time he thought it was chlorine gas, but one of the Doctors decided he had stomach ulcer. He com plained of a pain in his leg at that time, and said he accumu lated a fever known as Undulant fever, with the rheumatism for which he took rheumatism shots. Then he went to the Movius Clinic at Billings, Montana and the Doctors there, Movius Sr., and Movius, Jr., and Dr. Gordon decided that he had tularemia fever and sent a blood test to Helena, Montana; the returns on this blood test were negative. At Billings they decided he did not have ulcers, had a fever of 102, pain went away and stayed in his legs. He was sent to Dr. Davis of Billings for teeth examination. Went to Dr. James at Casper who told him he had a brain tumor - suggested he ,see Dr. Addison at Rochester. He went to Rochester to Mayo Clinic to see Dr. Addison about June 12 19^3* Addison said he had no brain tumor, says Mayo Clinic found lead in his urin. He claims the Doctors at Mayos claimed lead poison ing had settled in his eyes and had already settled in his system. Approximately June, 19^3* Dr. Phillip Hursema was main consulting Doctor with Doctor Addison, also Dr. Rucker. .Claimant admits that Mayos sent to Thermopolis for sample6f Chlorine and other materials used at the plant and found no sufficient contents to warrant lead poisoning. It seems the only way in which lead poisoning could have been contracted by this man was through use of the gaso line which I have described in this letter, and in fact his Attorneys now claim that he lead poisoning came from this gasoline. This gasoline was not the high powered gasoline 0016158 3- - which Is advertised by you as containing lead - it is the medium or standard brand of gasoline. It does not seem possible that from the use of this small amount of gasoline, which did not exceed five gallon In three months, this lead poisoning could have been contracted, I understand ^ there are some Medical authorities which claim that lead ^ poisoning might, or could be caused by gasoline, but I do not know of any particular case where thisxmssxiiaJ: has been the fact. I understand that it is customary for your hundreds of thousands of distributors to handle vast amounts of gaso line daily. I also understand that it is customary for work men in garages where grease accumulates on their hands and faces, to wash with gasoline in order tcpremove the grease and do not know of any ill effects of this. If the hundreds of thousands of men who are daily exposed to the fumes from gasoline which they inhale, fi: and from the use of gasoline in washing and other-wise handline it and getting it in contact with thpfekin where It may be ab sorbed and thus contracting lead poisoning, it wrould prob ably be of interest to the Company to know it. If this Is not the case, and I think -It is not, it might be of inter est to you not to have a judgement in Court whereby a man had claimed to have contracted lead poisoning through the handling of gasoline. I greatly appreciate your letter to Mr. McKiernam, and will very much appreciate any further Information and a report showing the facts relative to the above matter. Yours very truly, C. W. Axtell CWA:MH P.S. We would appreciate an analysis shown the amount of lead in medium priced gasoline. C.W.A. Hr 0018159