Document GvdqG5vroYmqdnexn05B87j7

The Shell Internationai 3t. Helen* Ccwrt^ Great St. Helen's, LONDON 35.0,3 <2 * :i.;- - ''0:'-V;'^> - - / '* ''`* ' . Dear Sira, a^ftlo^aS STLIC TOS SFRAX PAINTSSS. Wm have received repeated requesh, tiueu^i cur Joint exit'"*', Ccnw&ttee in Mombasa, for an issue of milk to spray painters* So . have turned these down since masks are issued, the painting in done in the open, and leaded paints are infrequently used Our position, however, has been seriously prejudiced by the action of otanvac who in 1&S9 started to issue 1 pint of milk per day to rail tanka-r operatives, t-nkcar filling openatives, certain luboil blending plaint operatives, and both spray and brush painters. They claim that this has been done on medical advice to oounteruct the dryness of the throat caused by inhaling ftanes or' leaded g-iodines and paints #e have consulted cur own medical adviser and the Chief Inspector of Fnctcries, fhey explained that about twenty years a ago it as thou, ht that milk acted as a solvent for axqr lead '- ' imbibed by painters; this was subsequently discounted by the medical profession, but many firms continued to issue mil** -ill.' -* partly because it is al ays difficult to withdraw a free imam# anC partly in the interest of general health and higher productivity Hence the demand by painters elsewhere fbr similar trectnwrtb ; -r i - ; We feel that tike criterion should he whether ndLlk Is , accessary to ounter possible ill effects on the health at the individual resulting from his particular7Job* we issue task s # cleaners, for instance, with milk and bread, am the basis of specific medical advice. If there is no question of health; Q ,,Sag S' N 24691 - 3The Shell International Petroleum Co.Ltd. 3rd March. 1961 being affected we are reluctant to issue milk as to do so would result in ah increasing demand for it from anyone coming into contact with gasoline and other vapours, and ultimately, perhaps, in a demand for "danger pay" We would be grateful, therefore, for your adrioc pa