Document J3aK9x26BGjeLLovwVwDB1EBr

Marcli 24, 1944 Cr.pfcain . II. Byrain, M. 0., Industrial Hygiene Branch, Air Service Command, Patterson Field, Ohio. Refer to ASC 461 Bear Captain Byram: I am sending you herewith copies of the reprints requested in your letter of March 6. There is one point to which I wish to call your attention. Under ordinary or even approximately satisfactory conditions of handling leaded gasoline, it is not to he supposed that there would he the slightest' danger of the occurence of tetraethyl lead poisoning. For this reason your reference to these articles as being concerned with "toxic effects of gasoline" may he in ex'ror. I raise the point since I should like to he certain that there is no misunderstanding on this matter. There is danger of exposure to; tetraethyl lead in the manufacture of this material and of Ethyl Fluid which contains tetraethyl lead in high concen tration. There is also, a potential risk in introducing Ethyl Fluid into gasoline or in any other operation in which concen trated Ethyl Fluid is handled. Also Because of the operation of a number of unusual factors, dangerous and even fatal exposure to tetraethyl lead may be experienced by men who enter tanks which have been used for the storage of leaded gasoline over some considerable period of time. The only other situation in which there is any risk from tetraethyl lead in handling gasoline, is that which may be brought about when gasoline is spilled about in rather large quantities in an enclosed and inadequately ventilated area in which the temperature is somewhat elevated. The latter is a new situation which has never been met with in peace time and which arises only out of unusual circumstances associated with the handling of gasoline in war time. Informa tion on this aspect of the matter is to he made available through official channels at an early date. At present I prefer not to speak of it In detail without official sanction. In order that you may be familiar with the situation that presents itself In peace time, I am sending you two reprints in addition to those you referred to,for your Information. Your question concerning cumene is well taken. It would be very useful to have Information on this material. Unfortunately, no KF 00200? 3 Captain D. H. Byrnm - (2) - March 24, 1944 such information is available. The compound has never been studied carefully, and as far as I have been able to establish, no one has cone to a conclusion yet that it should be studied vith care . The occurrence of this compound in relatively high concentration in modern aircraft, engine fuels is a phenomenon that voaid probably not occur in peace time vithout giving rise to preliminary toxicologic investigation. I think ve shall make it a point to make some observations on cumene at an early date. Unfortunafcely, ve are not in position at this time to discontinue other urgent vork in order to make way for the investigation of this compound. In fact, ve vould scarcely be able to do it, unless military authorities verc to come to the conclusion that this problem had to be given a priority over certain others-. As to the information on the other compound vhich you mentioned, all information on this subJoes as veil as the use of the name of the compound is restricted . I am not authorised to use this name in correspondence or to refer- to any Information concerning it vithout specific authority. However, I think within a short time some of the available information will be released through official channels if it has not already occurred. Very truly yours, RAX ef Enc. Robert A 'Eehce,. M. D . Kr 0020014