Document O1zX1pzYg29L7rdLxwK6DGp1j
March 21, 1927.
Spears & Riddle Company, heeling, West Virginia.
Dear Sirs:
Enclosed is copy of a letter dated the 17th from Dr. Bricker
which is self-explanatory. .
.
I believe it would be a good plan for us to prepare a large number of ,,copies of the "Rules and Regulations", which are now attached to the jobber contracts, as referred to in ny letter to-Dr. Bricker, for distribu tion to the dealers who sell Ethyl Gasoline to the public.
I think I can prepare a letter to aceompary the "Rules and Regulations" to each dealer after he has been signed up for Ethyl Gasoline by our jobbers, which, vd.il not-act as any sales resistance whatever to these dealers. However, in a matter of this kind, we should not be too timid on the question of sales resistance, in my way of looking at things. It is the long haul ?fe are after with ETHYL, -'-f Ethyl Ga soline was only a temporary expedient, one would.be naturally inclined to shrink from taking ary action which would create some sales resistence. However, I vision Ethyl Gasoline 'with tnemendous future possibilities and, for that reason, we should not allow ourselves to be annoyed, too much by a dealer here and there who w o n 't use ETHYL because of the precautions to be observed in handling it. Let us get dealers who are willing to observe the rules and who do not become frightened by our explaining to them what they have to do in selling ETHYL.
I think we have simply got to "take the bull by the horns" and let the dealer know once and for all t at if he sells Ethyl Gasoline three things are essential:
1. That the proper notice is on the pump.
2. The maintenance of the standard.
.
co 3. The sale of it through equipment which, will reflect credit on ETHYL and
ev the carrying on hand of a supply of caution folders to be handed out when called
for and, in that connection, the delivery to him, if he does desire to sell it,
CD of the "Rules and Regulations of which he acknowledges receipt and a copy of O which he is to deliver to each of his men employed in handling Ethyl Gasoline. CD
1 think this can be arranged and handled in a way which will not
u< excite much, if any resistence or antagonism to our product. There is nothing like starting right on an educational campaign of this character. If we proceed
fearlessly and at the same time, adroitly, I figure that we will get our message over in such good shape that in a couple of years from now it won't be necessary '
to tall a man that Ethyl Gasoline is to be usedonly as a motor fuel--- the public
generally will recognize the fact and most of them will observe it.
-2-
Spears & Riddle Company
3/21/27
You will recall that there were all sorts of dire predictions about sales
resistence in connection with the putting of a notice on the pump that it con
tained tetraethyl lead, but I do not believe anyone would say today that such
notice has created any substantial resistence and if our picture of the future
is correct as to the greaterimportanee to be attached -to Ethyl Gasoline, I think
such notice and precautionary measures will have less significance from the
standpoint of resistence to sales.
.
We would be very glad indeed to get any suggestions from you relative
to this subject.
.
Yours very truly,
ewf/gmc
\
XE 0001124
March 17, 1927.
Re: Precausitons to be Observed in the Handling of Ethyl Gasoline.
M r. E. W. Webb, ' '
'
^resident, Ethyl Gasoline Corporation,
25 Broadway,
"ew York, N.Y.
. .
My dear Mr. Webb:
This is'in reply to your letter of March 15 stating that.you
are planning to undertake a method of instructing all dealers in ethyl gasoline
concerning the precautions to'be used in its handling.
.
When this type of gasoline was first sold in Pennsylvania our Department found, on several occasions, that despite'.the fact that station at tendants had available, booklets calling attention.to the precautions to be used, they were entirely ignorant of the contents of the booklets. Rather than take drastic action, the Atlantic Refining Company (this situation was found especially in connection with that companies1 distributors) was asked to devise a plan by which they would be assured that the persons handling ethyl gasoline were familiar with the method in which, it should be handled, and at the same time this Department would 'have definite knowledge that such information had been given to these employees.
Since that company inaugurated its plan, all other companies in Pennsylvania m i d n g ethyl gasoline have adopted similar prodedures. Inasmuch as the Spears and Riddle Company is the only large seller of ethyl gasoline in this State, outside of the companies mixing in this State, I have asked them to adopt some such method also. After the splendid cooperation we had had with the Atlantic Refining Company, I preferred to ask the Spears and Riddle Company to devise their own methods, and it was v/ith this object in view that Itook up with them the proposition.
I believe that your suggestion that all sellers of ethyl gasoline receive their instruction direct from you in a most admirable one, and I shall be glad to learn what plans you are making for this propose. If I, or any one else in this Department can be of help to you in perfecting your plans foryour Penn sylvania dealers, we shall be very glad to have you advise us.
Your calling attention to the fact that no authentic case of in jury to any person from the use of this material has been brought to light, leads me to say that this situation should make you feel that your efforts in exacting care in its handling have been well worth while.
HE 0001125
$ Mr. E. W. Webb
-2-
3/17/27
I note that you expect to see Dr- Kehoe within the next ten days and I shall therefore not look for any advice from you until after the expiration of that time.
I appreciate very much the cooperation which you have uniformly given this Department, and it is because of that cooperation thatv/e prefer to have you develop your own method of prodedure rather than attempt to impose upon you one devised by us.
Yours very truly, Elizabeth B,, Bricker, .M.D. Chief, 'Vgiene and Sanitation Section
EB/S
/
HE 0001126
March 15, 1927. E. W. Webb.. Rej Instructions and Precautions for the Handling of Ethyl Gasoline.
Dr. Elizabeth B. Bricker, '
Chief, Hygiene and Sanitation Section,
Department of Labor and Industry,
Harrisburg, Pa.
. - .
'
Dear Dr. Bricker,
,
Spears & Riddle Company of Wheeling, W. Va., have just brought to our attention the correspondence relative to the above subject, as applicable to the dis tributors of Fleetwing Ethyl Gasoline in your state.
They were the second concern to sell Ethyl Gasoline in this country, and 1 feel
that we know them sufficiently well to state that they are as anxious as any
concern could be to handle our product in a way which will meet with the approv
al of your department, as well as ourselves. We have always found them wholly
responsive to ary merited sug estions and particularly those.that might have
reference to health matters..
'.
They have brought this matter to my attention with the idea of seeing if some satisfactory arrangement would not be made with your office which would be of the nature of standardizationj by that I mean, that it might be well for all distributors to be advised as nearly alike as possible.
With each jobber's contract, we attach what we term "Rules and Regulations for Sale and Distribution of Ethyl Gasoline", copy of which is enclosed, and we also explicitly instruct such jobbers to advise their re-sellers in accordance with those rules. Furthermore, it is necessary for anybody who sells Ethyl Gasoline to the public, to have "Caution" folders available for issue in tile event they . should be asked for by the public. It Is understood with our direct customers ' that the contents of these folders will be brought to the attention of each dealer, so that all who handle it will be aware of the precautions which we recommend fox-use, as well as those of the Surgeon General.
I think that you and other health authorities will subscribe to the point that
for a product that has been on the market for four years, during which time there
has never been an authentic case of-anyone being injured in its use, ire have set
out some very strict rules in connection with its distribution.
I think we can devise a plan to have copies of the enclosed rules placed in the hands of each dealer who handled or sells Ethyl Gasoline to the public.
HE 0001127
Dr. Elizabeth B. Brieker
- 2-
3/15/27
I hope you will bear with us so that weraight be privileged to work out a satis
factory arrangement for you in the event, after you hear more about our plans, you
should feel that further action is absolutely necessary.
'
Hie are sending the enclosed booklet out to each automobile dealer in the United
States: to the owners of fleets of trucks" having in operation more than five auto
mobiles, these two classes constituting about 75,000; to the editors of oil and
automobile trade journals: to all automobile manufacturers and engineers. We are
having this booklet reprinted in smaller type, on a four-page insert which will ap
pear in the oil and automobile trade journals, commencin the latterpart of this
month and running through next month.
'
In addition to this^our customers will probably send out thousands of these book lets, all in an educational campai ,n, setting forth what we consider of importance in connection with its use in automobiles, the precautions to be used in its handling, etc.
^aturally, in writing a booklet of this kind with the hope of having it read by different types and classes of people, it will probably not be found entirely satisfactory to anybody; however-, it-is our best effort.
I believe the public will soon appreciate the fact that- Ethyl Gasoline is sold
solely as a m o t o r 'fuel-and- Is not to be used for any otherpurpose and that it will
be treated accordingly.
'
However, I will go into the subject with Br. Kehoe within the next ten days and pending the consideration of the above matteron your part, may I ask you not to em poet any particular action relative to same to be taken by the.Fleetwing people.
Kindly let me know if this is satisfactory to you.
Yours very truly,
Kir 0001128
RULES AND REGULATIONS
The Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service has issued the following regulations for distribution of Ethyl Gasoline (no matter under what name it may be sold):-
1. Each filling station shall have prominently dis played at the pump the following warning:
"__________EthylGasoline containing tetraethyl lead, to be used as a motor fuel only, and not for cleaning, washing or any other purpose."
2. Suitable leaflets shall be available at all filling
stations where
Ethyl Gasoline is sold, for distribu
tion on request! These leaflets shall describe the possible
dangers and precautions to be taken in the use of__________
Ethyl Gasoline.
3. Containers of
Ethyl Gasoline sold to the
general public shall belabeled:
" Ethyl Gasoline containing tetraethyl lead. To be used for motor fuel only and not for cleaning, washing or any other purpose."
In addition to the above the Ethyl Gasoline Corporation has prepared and issued the follov/ing comment and suggestions:-..
Motorists are reminded that there is danger involved in handling all kinds of motor fuel, ''.hen breathed as vapor, or when absorbed through the skin in sufficient quantity, any kind of gasoline will produce serious re sults; and when allowed to remain in contact with the . skin it frequently produces irritation and blistering.
THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN IN HANDLING GASOLINE CONTAINING TETRAETHYL LEAD (ETHYL GASOLINE):
1. Do not use it in lamps or stoves, or for cook ing purposes of any kina.
2. Never use it for cleaning tools, machinery, clothing or hands.
3. Do not carelessly spill It on the floor of the
garage.
"
-
4. Avoid spilling it on your clothing or skin.
5. Men who load it or handle it at filling sta tions or otherwise, should avoid spilling it as much as possible and avoid any unnecessary contact of it with their akin or clothing.
6. In operations where skin contact is unavoidable, such as removing valves from cars for drainage of residual gasoline, it is recommended that soap and water be immediately used to wash the hands and arms wherever practicable. The use of waste or other absorbent material for the removal of gasoline from the skin is suggested as a second possibility.
FULL REPORT OR ETHYL GASES FIRST OF "DAILY MAIL" TESTS LEAS DISCHARGES INTO THE AIR
WORSE IN TRAFFIC BLOCK
An important stage has Been reached in the comprehensive test of
ethyl petrol -- the new and maeh-discussed motor fuel containing lead tetra
ethyl -- which the DAILY MAIL is carrying out in the interests of hundreds of
thousands of motorists*
We print "below a full report on tests relating to the exhaust gases
from motor-car engines in which the spirit has been used* The investigations
have been carried out for this newspaper by the Research Association of British
Motor and Allied Manufacturers, a body founded under the auspices of the
Government Department of Scientific and Industrial Research*
-
According to the report, the tests showed that as an engine became
warmed up, and as the load increased, the lead content in the exhaust gases
rose from 1<>7& per cent* of the lead supplied in the petrol to 0.2 per cent.
It is pointed out that:
The engine stores lead during idling periods* * *In the racing away
after a traffic stop, heavier discharges of lead may be expected*
It is important that users of ethyl petrol should ensure that the
joints of the exhaust manifold and silencer are thoroughly tight.
The results of the other DAILY MAIL tests the effect of inhaling
the gases and the effect of the spirit on the oar engine -- will be published
0 l l 3 0
in due course*
LORD BUCKMASTER
Simultaneously with the issue of the Motor Research Association's
Ui report, it was announced in the House of Lords yesterday that the Government is to hold an inquiry into the possible dangers arising from the use of ethyl
Page Two
Lord Buckmaster, in asking for the appointment of a committee, declared, as reported in Page 13:
During the war the use of tetra-ethyl of lead as a poison gas was con sidered, and experts regarded it as a means of disseminating more certain death than any other poison they had got*
LEAD STORED UP IK ENGIKB
BATE OF DISCHARGE PROM EXHAUST
SOMETIMES "DISQUIETING"
The report of the Research Association of British Motor and Allied Manu
facturers on exhaust gases from Ethyl petrol is as follows*
1cross-headings hare Been inserted By THE DAILY MAIL)
(The headlines and
Every motorist is familiar with the ordinary two-gallon petrol can --
the can in the street, as it may Be termed* Ihen such a canful of petrol is
consumed in a petrol engine, 7,250 canfuls-of air are inhaled By the engine* That
is the first fact*
The number 7,250 is a fair average. Some thrifty motorists may use as
much as 9*000 canfuls of air with each canful of petrol; others very wastefully
may consume only 6,000 canfuls of air. In the ordinary run 7,250 canfuls of air
to the canful of petrol is a fair average*
PROPORTIONS OP EXHAUST GASES
Taking this average value of 7*250 can3 &ir per can of petrol* we
find that 8,200 canfuls of gasds are discharged from the exhaust pipe. These
gases are in the following proportions (for simplicity round numbers are given)t-
US 0001131
Page Three
Nitrogen ...... *................... f!n.nhnn di oxide .... ... .......... Carbon monoxide Wxdrnaren ....... ................ Argon ............ ........ . Steam or Water Vapn| ffT...........
Total
CanfUls 8,200
Hare gases, such as helium, neon, and others ire ignored heoanse they occur in very minute quantities* It is interesting to note that the l,l6o can
fuls of steam, if condensed, as happens in cold weather or when starting, would
almost fill a can*
We have, therefore, an easily remembered fact namely, that a petrol
engine emits very nearly as much water as it consumes of petrol.
The foregoing statements rest on the assumption that the engine is run
ning properly. When an engine is misfiring, on account of faulty ignition or
carburation, the fuel and air are emitted at the exhaust pipe in varying propor
tions and conditions*
Sometimes the uhburnt fuel collects in the silencer and exhaust pipe
where it may he ignited by hot gases from working cylinders, so that an explosion
occurs in the silencer system. Such an explosion often blows out the accumulated
carbon and other particles in a dense black cloud, a3 many motorists must have
observed* To get a clear picture of the exhaust gas problem we may consider a
medium-powered car, such as is being used in the DAILY MAIL tests* Suoh a car
run3 about 23 miles on a gallon or 46 miles on a two-gallon can*
By simple arithmetic, since 8,200 canfuls of gas are emitted in 46
miles, we find that one canful of exhaust gas is discharged every 10 yards. A.
large lorry doing 4& miles to the gallon would emit a canful of exhaust gas every
two yards, which explains the unpleasantness of following a big vehicle in a
narrow badly ventilated lane.
K' 000113g
Page Pour*
Ethyl petrol* This fuel consists of Bo* 1 petrol with the addition of about
one teaspoonfol of Ethyl fluid per gallon of petrol (one gallon equals 1,280
teaspoonfuls) Ethyl fluid consists of:
Tetra Ethyl Lead *** Ethylene dibromide Halowax Bed Lye (Bo* 4 Sudan)
Per cent
9.O9 0 .0 1 100*00
The functions of the various ingredients need not he discussed here*
We are concerned mainly with the quantity of lead present, for it is on account
of the poisonous properties of lead that these investigations have been made
Briefly, then, it may be stated that Ethyl petrol is ordinary Bo* 1
petrol containing lead equivalent in weight to slightly more than a sixpenny-
piece per gallon, or slightly more than a shilling-piece in a two-gallon can*
Since this lead in admittedly in the petrol, it must either remain in
the engine, as a deposit on the various surfaces, or in the lubricating oil, or
it must be blown into the exhaust and breather gases, or a combination of all
these may occur*
EEAD nr THE EEGIHE
The amount of lead in the exhaust gases is important in connection
with air pollution and poisoning by inhalation, and the quantity of lead de
posited on engine surfaces or in lubricating oil is of interest in relation to
the health of those who are to handle engine parts during repair and overhaul*
To put the facts very briefly, we may state that in every two-gallon
oan of Ethyl petrol there are about seven grams of lead, and, since each can.of
petrol produces 8,200 cans of exhaust gas, we have available about 7/Sths of a
milligram for each canful of exhaust gas, or nearly three (2.87) milligrams of
lead for each cubic foot of exhaust gas, or 94 milligrams per cubic metre*
These figures give the lead that would be in the exhaust gas if none
K F OOOU33
Page Five*
remained in the engine.
Before proceeding to the results of the experiments it is right to
emphasise that the exhaust gases from ordinary petrol contain a deadly poison,
namely, carbon monoxide.
This is present in the proportion of 45 cartfuls in 8,200, or one
part in sixteen. This is an average value. Some exhaust gases contain more
and some less than one part of carbon monoxide in eighteen of exhaust gas.
It is 3afe to say that if the exhaust gases from any petrol engine
were inhaled for a few minutes even with a slight dilution of air, the results
would be fatal. It has been computed that ten minutes* running of a car en
gine in a snail closed garage is enough to cause death to a person in that
garage.
Various experiments have been made to determine the amount of lead
In exhaust gases from Ethyl petrol. The experiments were made on two motor
car engines and also by burning the fuel under a cowl and chimney.
The engines used were a twin-cylinder water-cooled unit of 9720.0.
capacity (R.A.C. rating, 8.34**hp}, and a six-cylinder water-cooled engine of
2,665c.c. capacity (R.A.G. rating, 20.7-h.p.).
From these engines samples of from 20 to 50 cubic feet of exhaust gas
were led through various absorbents and the absorbents were then analysed. The
petrol and air consumption were measured during the sampling operation, and the
engine conditions, such as speed and load, and rate of sampling were varied.
In those experiments where the Ethyl petrol was burnt tinder a cowl and
chimney the gases were not analysed; the deposits on the cowl and chimney were
analysed, 30 that these burning tests are, in a sense, a converse of the engine
tests.
.
The flat twin-cylinder engine U3ed in this work had been specially
0001134
Page Six.
cleaned and conditioned "before the tests "began, and the opportunity was taken
to examine the oil in the crankcase and the deposits on the pistons and cylinder
heads
ADEFINITE CONCLUSION
The results are given in the form of an appendix* They should be of
special interest when compared with those obtained from the three vehicles nov
on the road.
The results of these tests lead to one definite conclusion, namely,
that it is impossible to state the amount of lead emitted in exhaust gases as
a definite fixed percentage of the lead introduced with the petrol* The amount
of lead discharged into the atmosphere depends on the condition of the engine
and on the manner of its operation
In general, it may be stated that a clean engine or a cold engine
emits very little lead in exhaust gas, because the lead is deposited on the clean
or oool surfaces in contact with the gas on its way outo
In a hot engine, however, deposition on the surfaces is greatly reduced
\
and more lead appears in the exhaust gases* If an engine, using Ethyl petrol,
has been running light and cool for some time the pistons and cylinder heads be
come coated with a thick greyish-yellow deposit*
THIN KEHDISH DEPOSIT
If the engine is now run under load, the thick yellow deposit vanishes,
and in its place is formed a thin reddish deposit on a somewhat excoriated sur
0001135
face*
This process of deposition under cool conditions and disappearance
tinder hot conditions is of fundamental importance, as will be seen later*
The facts imply that when an engine is running light or cold, lead may Ui
be stored up* And then, if the engine is speeded up, under load, this stored
Page Seven,
ceivably "be even greater than the rate of supply. This fact is not only in teresting hut under certain conditions disquieting.
LAMP EXPERIMENTS 79 PER CEHT. OF THE LEAL
LOST IH BURNT GASES Although the lead emission from engines are the primary object of consideration, there are advantages in eliminating all the various complexities incident to engine operations. Therefore we may begin with the simple burning experiments. In the first place a special Primus type of burner was used. This had been expressly designed for use in a calorimeter where complete combustion
i
is necessary This special burner wa3 placed under a clean steel cowl "from which
two lengths of glass tube emerged. The idea in using two lengths of glass tube was to split the anaylsis and see where most deposition occurred* ' This experiment, although satisfactory, gave much trouble because the fine jet choked very frequently and needed laborious attention. Such choking had not occurred previously with ordinary petrols.
The repeat experiment was carried out with a petrol blowlamp, with a variable jet, such as is used by plumbers and painters. This blowlamp did not choke but it gave a slightly sooty deposit.
These two experiments are, so far as can be seen, very typical. The Primus burner represents complete combustion such as is seldom realised in an engine, the blowlamp, though less perfect, is probably better, in regard to combustion, than most engines.
KB 0001136
Page Eighto
These tests shoved:
(a) WITH THE PRIMUS BURNER. Per cent.
Lead deposited oncovl .o... 4.18 Lead deposited on chimney..0 10.78
Total ................ 20.b
79 P.C. OF THE LEAD LOST
Thus, 79 per cent, of the lead supplied was lost in the Burnt gaseso
It should he noted that of the 16.78 per cent, deposited on the ohimney 13*95
per cent, was found on the lover half nearest to the Burner. This agrees with
general observations on engines, where the chief deposits occur in the exhaust
system near to the, engine.
(B) WITH THE PETROL BLOWLAMP.
Per cento
' Lead deposited on cowl . 23.6 Lead deposited on chimney... 13.1
Total e<
36T?
*
Thus, 63.3 Per cent, of the lead supplied was lost in the Burnt gases.
The Bulk of the deposit in the glass chimney was at the lower end near the Blow
lamp. It may Be added that other experiments, using a steel tube as a chimney,
were attempted and provisionally abandoned on account of gross contamination By
iron oxideo
In some respects this is a matter for regret, Because, apart from the
closer resemblance to the stel exhaust pipe, it appears not unlikely that the
lead compounds in the exhaust gases deposit more readily on steel or iron than
on glass. On the other hand, the deposition in the glass tube could Be watched
as it proceeded.
LEAD DISCHARGES
MUCH LESS WHEN EXHAUST
PIPE IS COOLED
As already mentioned, the engine tests were carried out under a variety of conditions -- .a few typical results may therefore Be given. At
Ke 0001137
: Page Nine
the beginning of the test, when-the engine was d e a n and free from any lead
deposits, samples of exhaust gas were taken
The first set gave:a lead content in the exhaust gas 1*76 per cent*
of that supplied in the petrol* The second, under similar conditions except
that the engine was warmer and less clean,, gave 7*67 p*r sent* A later test gave 35*6 per cent* These three tests were all under light load at low speed*
A test was then carried out under heavy load .after prolonged idling:
the lead determinated** in the exhaust ga3 then rose to 6q *2 per cent* of that
Supplied. ... - ,,
;V , ,
.... .,. , .. :,,
Tests were then made with a water-cooled exhaust pipe, a jacket
being fitted through which a copious stream of cold water circulated* Atones
the lead found in the exhaust gas fell from 36.8 per cent* to 5*^5 per cent* ,.
A subsequent test with the water-cooled, exhaust pipe and heavier load gave
,
11*25 per .cent*..
; , ... . ....
In some respects, the capacity of the engine to store lead during
idling periods is very fortunate, because ixf traffic and in garages, where the
ventilation and dilution of the air is least efficient, the pollution of the
air is less severe* ... ... ,, . .... ..... ... ,. ....
-...
On the other hand, there are circumstances -- as, for example, in
the racing away after a traffic stop -- where engines are fully loaded after
idling, so that heavier discharges of lead may be expected*
,, r
Without a very prolonged Investigation it isimpossible to state with
precision the nature and .composition of the exhaust products from Ethyl petrol*
And, having regard to the wide variations that occur in the conditions of engine operation, and in the cleanness of the various surfaces in different vehicles, .
it may be doubted whether such an investigation could be economically justified*
The main facts are that an engine running on Ethyl petrol emits lead
compounds* These compounds vary in amount and kind as the conditions of running
8 n 000 2
Page Ten
vary, and. they are sufficiently soluble to be almost entirely dis solved in the exhaust water*
On account of the fact that the lead is introduced as a very small fraction of the petrol, which in turn is burnt in a very large volume of air, conditions are such, that any lead carried in the exhaust gas to the atmosphere is likely to be in a finely divided state*
Under normal conditions of operation it appears that most lead is deposited on the first two or three feet of the exhaust system, and that in the neighbourhood of the exhaust valve the lead compounds are frequently in a volatile or gaseous state*
On this account it is important that users of Ethyl petrol should en sure that the joints of the exhaust manifold and silencer are thoroughly tight*
Such a precaution is desirable in all cases because of Carbon monoxide, but with a second poison present the precaution is doubly necessary.
With regard to the gases discharged from the exhaust pipe, we have seen that, if all the lead in the petrol were emitted in the exhaust gases there
%would be, under average conditions, milligrams of lead per cubic metre of
exhaust gas. Assuming that 3 Pr cent* of the lead is emitted, which appears to be a reasonable average, this would mean 28 milligrams of lead per cubic metre of exhaust gas*
How far this would be diluted by the surrounding air would depend on the situation in respect of buildings and wind currents.
As an indication of dilution, carbon monoxide is fairly convenient, and it has been extensively studied* In a good commercial garage 4 parts of car bon monoxide in 10,000 of air may be assumed as a high but not unnsfcl proportion. Assuming one part of carbon monoxide in l8 of exhaust gas, this implies a dilution of 139.
Applying this dilution to the 28 milligrams of lead above, we have a
000139
PageEleven.
lead, eontent of 0.2 milligrams per cubic metre* In streets the diultion would
r
'.. -
... .
be two or more times as great, and so the lead present per cubic metre would
be 0*1 milligrams or less* i
Shis engine was thoroughly cleaned for the test. After 28 gallons
of Ethyl petrol had been consumed, the deposits on the pistons and cylinder
heads were collected and analysed for lead.* The total deposit from the two
cylinders and pistons was 30*01 grams. The lead found was:
w v:.
Grams. . :
1st determination *, 8.55
2nd determination * 8*ol
Mean *.** 8*58
Taking the lead content per gallon as 3*5 grams, the total lead
supplied, would be 98 grams, so that the lead in the surface deposits amounts
to 8*75 per cent, of that supplied in the petrol.
When the engine had consumed 3& gallons of petrol, the crankcase oil
was drained out. This amounted to 1,325 quarts and had a density of Q.gi^ grams
cc. Then the sludge in the crankcase was scooped out; of this 78 grams were ob
tained.
The crankcase was then washed out with petrol. The washings amounted
to 1*5 quarts of density 9*758* Analysis of the three substances gave the
following quantities of lead*.. --
Drained oil ... 1st determination * 2nd determination Mean .....
Sludge ,... 1st determination . . 2nd determination
Mean * Washings ...... 1st determination ..
2nd determination t(
Mean ,
Grams. II.78
0.04O.O45
Taking the lead content per gallon as 3.5 grams, the total lead
supplied would be 12o grams, so that the lead found in the crankcase stated as
a percentage of the lead supplied would bej
OPIIOOO 3>i
Page Twelve*
Per cento
Drained oil ............. 9 . 2 6
S l u d g e ........ ......... 2.42
Washings
..... . 0.04
Total .........000 llo^2
Daring this oil test the engine had run at various speeds and loads
for I27 hours, during which time 3 q u a r t s of oil had been consumed. This
quantity, representing 1/48 of the petrol consumption, is high, hut not more
than is often met in road service .
The lubrication was intentionally liberal, and this, in conjunction
with the horizontal cylinder arrangement, would explain why the lead content
is higher than that found in the medium-powered car. In the report on the latter
the content per gallon was incorrectly taken as 2.5 grams instead of 3.5 grams.
This correction makes the lead found as a percentage of that supplied 2*66 per
cent
~
A summary of all the results obtained will be given when the trials
are concluded.
For the Hesearch Association of British Motor and Allied Manufacturers.
(Signed) H.S. HOWELL', Director.
KE 00011