Document Jrbjv3VxmXMGR7XYpRXRbpxae

August 13 1957 Dr T Padure&no c/0 Komano-Amerieana Ploeatt Rcramania Pear Boater Padureanos Sara days ago I resolved from Mr# Bovan a copy of your letter of July 7th addressed to Ethyl Export Corporation In which you asked for certain information about the hazards associated with exposure to aviation benzine as die tingutahed from automobile benzine* For your infer* nation I wish to call your attention to the fact that aviation benzine does not differ materially in Its chemical compos It tern from automobile ben sine* To be sure the specifications are somewhat different but one Is dealing here with a mixture of hydro-carbons which are not materially different from those which occur in automobile benzine Bo specific studies have been made on aviation benzine Sosa observations have been mad on persok exposed to aviation benzine containing lead concentrations up to as high as 6 ee of tetraethyl load por American gallon* These results have not been pub* Itshed because they do not differ In any vise from results obtained In the study of persons exposed to automobile behslne* However a very considerable experience has shown that there are no undue hazards associated with the handling of aviation benzine even though It may contain from It oo to 6 oc of tetraethyl lead per American gallon* From animal experimentation:these results are predictable and If you will refer to one of the articles which I sent you on The Behavior of Tetraethyl Lead in the Animal organism you will find experimental data on animals which show that tetraethyl lead Is not absorbed In appreciable quantity out of benzine If the concentration is not in excess of one part per thousand* This concentration represents approximately if ec of tetraethyl lead per American gallon and is,therefore well beyond the limits of the lead concentration shown by the product supplied by Romano*Amerioana - This evidence X feel will serve to answer your question and will also show that the. statement In the artible by Major Doctor Od* Apostal is based on ads quote observation* The symptoms listed In 00i 3,1dd your latter which Dr. Apostol attributes to the effects of lead absorption, are essentially those of either benzine Intoxication or carbon monoxide intoxication, or a combina tion of the two* I am very certain that the doctor has not seen persons with lead line as a consequence of this type of exposure. I am also quite oertaln that $fo*6 in the list of symptoms given by you, can be produced by any type of benzine. Apparently the doctor does not realize that benzine has an Irritating effect upon the skin, pro ducing blisters and a type of dermatitis in soma persons which does not heal if exposure is continued* Naturally I can not be sure of the concentrations of tetraethyl lead which are used in aviation benzine in o'll parts of the world* Military men in some instances have had their own ideas on the proper concentrations to use, and 1 have known of instances in which benzine containing as much as 20 cc of lead per gallon have been used for experimental purposes. vie have always discouraged such practices and we have attempted to keep concentrated Fluid out of the hands of irresponsible persons so that such concentrated fuels would not be mad. As you know, we have made every attempt to see that benzine is mixed with tetraetnyl lead only at refineries and at approved mixing plants. I am quite sure that commercial aviation benzines as provided by the companies that manufacture leaded benzine present no greater hazard to handlers than is found in the case of automobile benzines# . I trust this will answer your questions and that you will have no difficulty finding the reference in the article which I mentioned. If thsr are any further difficulties over this matter, I would appreciate your keeping me informed about them. . Cordially yours. RAKli# cc Mr. Be van : .V:. ; "Robert A* Keho,. M . D * HB 0013364