Document Gmp99RgJM2LGn7b6BKVBekb97

BCC: Mr. J. G. Hiclcs-Detroit Mr. J. 0. Orem-Detroit Mr. Dale Smith-St. Louis April 10, 1962 Mr. '.-.'arren Vernier Flro Marshall hi. Clair Shores Fire Department 2bJ00 Harper Avenue St. Clair Shores, Michigan Doar Mr. Vernier: I have been told of a fi.e which occurred in a small iic casting shop in St. Clair Shoi-es. This die casting s lop uses our hydraulic fluid -Pydraul A-200. As I unclerst it, you are desirous of Icnowlng the effects of the de composition products of this material. We have carried out teats with rats who were exposed to a heavy concentration of the decomposition product for vary ing periods. Our first test was-of 15 minuts* duration. The fog was dense and sufficient fgT'obscure the animals except when they were in the immediate front section of the chamber. The animals were sick and lethargic but did not collapse and ocular and nasal discharge ceased within an hour. There was evidence of upper respiratory infec tion present for 36 hours. All these rats recovered. V'e repeated the same experiment for a duration of one hour. Here, three out of eight animals collapsed and the remainder appeared very close to collapse. Pulmonary congestion occurred which remained for about a week. All animals, however, survived. It is obvious, therefore, that under the conditions of this experiment, decomposition products were irritating but not lethal. This is to be expected ns the chief decomposition proauct is HC1. No phosgene can possibly be formed. These experiments bear out our experience that while the fumes are irritating, they are not of sufficient severity to cause DSW 586130 STLCOPCB4091464 I Mr. Warren Vernier - Page 2 - April 10, 1962 any other damage. When exposure is limited they do not present any hazard to those individuals who are exposed for the length of time it takes to turn off the particular machine or to fight the fire that might have caused the break. If you have any further -uestions, please let me know. Very truly yours. REKjPH R. Emmet Kelly, M. D. Medical Director DSW 586131 STLCOPCB4091465