Document M2qkMn58LdwVe4xQbyBNynGL

June 15, 1945 PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL Mr. E 0. Jone3, Ethyl Corporation, Chrysler Building, New York City. Dear Mr. Jones? I am sending you herewith three copies of a memorandum giving the information which I obtained at the time of my trip to the Lake Erie Chemical Company in Cleveland, together with my recommendations. It seems probable that other persons in the ITew York Office will wi3h to see this memorandum, especially M r . Schaefer of the Manufacturing Department, and probably M r . Gonzalez. In any case I am sending all of the copies to you because of the confidential character of some of the information This should be dealt with as similar matters of military conse quence are handled. I dare say it will be necessary to inform Dr. Edelman as to whether he can purchase the tetraethyl lead in liter cans. If it is decided that this can be done,he should be so informed and then instructed to place an order for the necessary materials Ample space Is available for the storage of the entire quantity of tetraethyl lead referred to in the memorandum. I believe this covers the subject, but if there are any further questions, I shall do my best to answer them. Very truly yours, EAK ef Enc. ITobert A." jJeboe, M. >.' K E 0 0 1 i4 June 15, 19^5 Dr-. L . E . Edelman, Director of Research, Lake Erie Chemical Company, 2200 Scranton Road, Cleveland, Ohio. Dear Dr. Edelman.* In accordance with our conversation of last Thursday, I am sending you by express a- package containing six bottles for the collection of samples of urine from three of you who will be concerned in the work which we discussed . I am sending you herewith instructions for the collection of the samples. Please use every possible precaution to prevent the contamina tion of these samples. Since we are dealing with micro quantities of both lead and arsenic, you will realize the necessity for these precautions. I should be glad if you would collect approximately 100 ml of urine in each container. Each of you can obtain such a sample on two different occasions. If you wish to do it,both samples can be collected on the 3ame day, but I want two samples from each man in order to check the variability. e shall do lead and arsenic determinations on each sample. - I have put through my recommendations with reference to the manner in which tetraethyl lead should be sent to you. It may not be possible to follow ray recommendations, but in any case you will hear from the New York Office and will receive instructions on how to put in your order- When you have re ceived your stock and have actually got your work under way, please let me know ibr I shall want to send you additional con tainers for samples of urine at intervals of about ten days. Moreover, if it happens that the lead has to be sent to you in a drum, I shall want to send you some additional instructions. I shall be informed on that subject as soon as you will. I am sending you herewith a set of Instructions for handling tetraethyl lead in your laboratory. You will probably receive additional instructions from the Manufacturing Department, with reference to the manner of cleaning and returning the liter cans. If there is any other information which you re quire, do not hesitate to let me know. I have written to find out one or two things about the thermal decomposition of tetra ethyl lead, and I am passing this information along to you when I receive it. This is in answer to your question which K*r Dr. L. E. Edelman - (2) - June 15* 19^3 I was unable to answer directly. Very truly yours, RAX ef Enc. Robert X.""ZeEoe",'M .r'"TS r I'.^Y ' CORFUSUTIAL Moawrantiiaa cn Use of Tetraethyl Lead by the Lake Erie Cheailcal Company ' Reference 13 made to Hr- Jones* loiter of May la, 19^3 to Mr. Kaley, concerning his (Jones) visit to Cleveland to visit the suh.loot Company, On M.y IS, in line with, the statement in Mr. Jones* letter, a letter was received from Dr. L. L. ndelsiah, Director of Research of Lake Trie Chemical Company, explaining briefly theii* need for tetraethyl lead in connection with the manufacture of an agent for the Cheniicel f rfarc '"ervlce. It m s decided that a trip to the plant was necessary to determine a ntasfibor of pertinent facto, and on June 10, ouch a visit was sad* The present plan of uke Trie Chemical Company la to mike ?noroximtoly ' ;rh pounds of ethyl arse&ioua dichloride {C**icjAeCl . over a period of about 0 days at the rate of about Ip pounds per day It :1c proposed that tills be don by reacting tetraethyl lead with arsenic trichloride on a laboratory scale* The lead compound, diluted with carbon tetrachloride and cooled, is treated with arsenic tri chloride a little at n time, the contents of the flask being cooled continuously in order to control the reaction* Preliminary xperlmeats have indicated that this procedure is satisfactory and that the lead compound is completely used up in the presence of an excess of the arsenic trichloride. The latter will bo tested further to esta blish the fact with certainty. It may b that greater quantities of the material will have to be made later, but. that eventuality is not under present considera N16576.02 vho appear* to "bo wholly competent* All the work, Including that of cleaning up glassware and the laboratory hood. In which the work is to be carried out, will co done tq from two to three on, all of whom are trained chemists, Sach batch will probably consist of one liter of tetraethyl lead, the diluent carbon tetrachloride, and arsenic trichloride In slight excess. It is proposed to use a round 5 L, pyrex flash with three coupections (an to a cropping funnel, on to a condenser, and one to a thermometer) the whole surrounded bp a notal '.ontainor for the cooling bath sufficient in sis to hold the entire contents of the pyrex flask {If It should break'- fhe equip ment is sot up In & chemical hood with adequate ventilation. The facilities of the laboratory. In which other very rkingercus chemicals have been handled^include an emergency shower of an effective type, adequate canister masks, protective aprons and rubber gloves of goed quality. There is also In an adjoining room, veil ventilated storage cabinet that can he kept locked. This is ample for the storage of the quantities of tetraethyl lead required . at this time The request was made for instructions for cleaning glassware and other apparatus for advice in preventing spillage and other acci dents that might cans exposure* H very evidence was given of willing ness nd ability to follow Instructions * For these reasons it is believed that there will be little or* no trouble In connection with this work* Instructions will be pro vided In the usual manor Also it was agreed that the extent of the i control of the exposure could easily b checked by periodic analyses of samples of urine from the men. Arrangements have been mad to make In order to facilitate safety in this work, ami to help in the avoidance of unnecessary handling of tetraethyl leads it is re commended that the latter he provided in liter cans# these to he pre served and returned to the Ilonufaotaring Eepartmeni of the .Ethyl Cor poration . Instructions for cleaning and returning the cans should he given by the Manufacturing lep&rtiseat. If the tetraethyl lead can b supplied in this manner, it is believed that there vill be no need for adding dye to it for purposes of further safety fa the basis of the estimate given of material needed, approximately f-0 liters of tetra ethyl load vill be required. It is recognised that'this m y lm trot*-. bleeomo for the Momuheturlng Itepartiaent, and that cans are at a pre mium. Nevertheless it la believed that this is justified if It is at 11 feasible to do it, since the dangers of vorkiag tilth tetraethyl lend under- the existing conditions :la this laboratory vill therehy bo largely eliminated 3y this means the can of tetraethyl loed can b used vs the unit for the reaction, the can being then rinsed ait and set aside for return. Since the lead vill be used up entirely in the reaction there is no reason for supposing that contact with or exposure to tetraethyl lead vill ooear at any time* tilth the ordinary bare to avoid accidents and to control the reaction, there should bo no trouble whatever in carrying out this work. The handling of tetraethyl load in a drum ox* druraa, on ih other hand, will ho mx exceedingly trouble some laboratory operation, requiring special apparatus and precautions June 1'jg IftjJ K 0013753 'ledleal rIrcctor