Document KGeBE3rxm0mZaMKdmBX5E8J5r

December 13, 195? Dr. Don D* Irish Dow Chemical Company Midland, Michigan Dear Doctor Irish:- After some delay which was occasioned by the necessity of my being in South Carolina ranch of last week, I am sending you the information which I promised with reference to the handling of tetraethyl lead. The solution of bromine in carbon fcetra-chloride which I advised as a means of decomposing tetraethyl lead Into inorganic lead may be either dilute or concentrated dependent upon the use to which it Is to be put. We use a ten per cent solution and a five percent solution around the laboratory, and either of these can be kept within a stoppered bottle without the development of sufficient vapor pressure to cause leakage of bromine to any ap preciable extent. A more dilute solution can be used since it Is merely necessary to have a little excess of bromine over the theoretical requirements for the conversion of lead tetraethyl to lead bromide. Within the limits of quantities of lead which are to be dealt with, the more dilute the solution the better from the point of view of safety as to the volatilization of the bromine, and also as to injury from contact with It. I should say that in your case a five per cent solution should be adequate. As implied above, this can not be kept in an open container without giving off bromine fumes, but It should he kept In a stoppered bottle such as, for example, an acid bottle* As to the leather gloves, I am enclosing a notation as to where they can he obtained and how they should be prepared. I think you will have to impregnate the gloves with the treating solution in the laboratory since, so far as I know, th<$r can not he purchased already prepared. I have gone over the regulations and the blue print which were given to me on the day of my visit, and I have made certain notations on the copy and certain other additional notations, all of which I think will be self-explanatory. 2 pr, Don D. Irish. There Is only one other further thing which might be said advantageously and that concerns the hood which is in use In the Semi-Plant. I think your hood will be satisfactory for your present purposes* although this ventilation is not quite as great as that which we ordinarily recommend for the handling of Fluid. If the work with tetraethyl lead assumes larger scope* I do not believe that this hood would be adequate. Therefore what you do with regard to this Item should depend. In my opinion* on whether this procedure continues or grows. It scarcely seem3 justified to spend any considerable sum of money In the enlargement or im provement of your hood if this project is likely to be discontinued soon. It was a pleasure to see and talk with you and I am very grateful for the information which you gave me with relation to your studies on phenol. I was also very much interested In your set-up and your plans In general and I hope to have an opportunity to return at a later date. If I can be of any service to you in connection with any questions which may arise In thehandling of tetra ethyl lead, please do not hesitate to call on me. Ro doubt you have received the sample containers which I sent you and the in structions for the collection of samplos. I shall report our findings to you as soon as we have a chance to examine the samples. regards* I am With kindest personal Cordially yours* RAX :1a Robert A. Ke&oe* M.'S'. KE" 0009078 Leather Gloves for Us in Handling Machinery or Tools or Other Work for Which Rubber Gloves Are Too Fragile* Eorsehide gloves of proper type can be obtained from Lipschitz, ij.00 Chestnut Street* Philadelphia, or from Condor Glove Company, Condor, Hew York* There are probably other sources from which equally serviceable gloves can be obtained. Cost is approximately 4*75 Per dozen* These gloves should be treated by being dipped In an impregnating solution and drained* Prepare solution by heating to boiling 1 pound of chipped soap and 4 pounds of glycerine; cool to 130C before dipping gloves and main tain at not less than 100C during period gloves are in the solution* HE- 0009973 Regulations Concerning Use of Tetraethyl Lead in the Semi-Plant I# Ok except that the wooden box should be elevated on a shelf or bracket so as not to sit in contact with the pan which constitutes the floor of the hood# II. Paragraph one Ok. Paragraph two modify as follows* A convenient container shall be so mounted in the hood as to make available a stream of kerosene through a faucet for washing the equipment and the metal pan of the hood# A quantity of bromlne-CCl* shall also be available in a glass stoppered bottle for use in the decomposition of any T#E*Pb which may be on glass equip ment or which might be spilled outside the hood. This solution should not he applied upon the iron pan or the rubber gloves, but these can be cleaned with kerosene# A source of running water should be supplied within the hood to Wash away any kerosene as well as any bromine-CCl*. which remains on equipment or within the metal pan* The metal pan constituting the floor and the lower portion of the sides of the hood should be so arranged as to drain easily and completely to the drain, and this pan should be kept free of waste materials of all kinds between operations within the hood* All glass ware with which T.E.Pb comes in contact shall he washed immediately after use with brominewCCl^ solution to destroy the T#E,Pb# Also any T.E.Pb which may be spilled on floor or elsewhere outside the hood should be decomposed with bromine-CCl* before washing down the drain# T.E.Pb craning in contact with Iron or rubber equipment or with the skin shall be washed away immediately and thoroughly with kerosene, followed by soap and water* III. Paragraph A - Ok. Paragraph B - Handling In Semi-Plant. Insert the following paragraph after "the following procedure? Pill the iron catalyst container with the desired quantity of T.E.Pb some time before it la required and inspect carefully after each filling to make sure that no leak is occurring through the valves and that no dripping has occurred on the outside surface of the container. If repairs are ire quire d the entire container and valves must he washed carefully and repeatedly with kerosene before dismantling# Otherwise the apparatus should be burned before discarding, B - Paragraph 2 - Ok as wrlttenl 00099S0 2 B - Paragraph 3 - Ok, Paragraph I4. * Following the sentence ending "by the reflux** add the following sentence: Return gloves to a receptacle in which they should he kept at all times when not in use* Keep gloves clean and discard when worn or when contaminated with T.E.Pb. Paragraph 5 - Ok* I should advise the following procedure which need not be recorded in the instructions. I suggest that the regulation for handling T,EPb at hood and about the autoclave shall be framed and posted at the hood or in some other conspicuous place within the Semi-Plant. I suggest this both as a reminder to the men and as evidence that the men have been properly instructed. Heedless to say thi3 suggestion is a matter for the discretion of your own management since it involves the policy of your company. KE 0009981