Document QgNRw5roMZrKppnOR3BknabOv

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE Hay 6, i960 Mr. George F. Kirby Vice President Research and Development Department Ethyl Corporation P.0. Box 3^1 Baton Rouge I, Louisiana Dear Mr. Kirby: 2bank you for your letter of May 2, i960, enclosing a copy of the press package released by the Standard Oil Ccnpsny of California in relation to tetraaethyl lead. For your Infonaatioa, there is enclosed a copy of the material vhich the Public Health Service has made available to PBTROXSOM 'WEEK in response to its inquiry. Sincerely yours, V. G. Mackenzie Assistant Chief, Research and Development Division of Engineering Services Enclosure cc: Dr. Robert A. Kfehoe 0002712 U. S. DEPAKTME8T OP HEALTH, EI>OCATI<Ml, AStD WEIPARE Public Health service Washington, D. c. In response to inquiries, the Public Health Service today issued the following statements Early in January, the Public Health Service was requested by representatives of the petroleum industry research field to express an opinion on proposed changes in the lead content of motor gasoline. The changes contemplated involve the use of tetramethyl lead as a replacement in whole or in part for tetraethyl lead, following research that demonstrated an advantage to be gained in automobile engine performance. Although the Public Health Service does not have any legal authority to regulate the use of such substances in gasoline, the Service* opinions were sought by industry, because both tetramethyl and tetraethyl lead are known to be potentially toxic substances. In subsequent discussions, the industry sources made available to the Public Health service complete data on the research that they have done on the subject. 0002713 \ -y^rv TW r e s*. p&o n s e & -,^ t - th e in d u a try 'smmiiOMfev :.4lM>-1^flfcf4i* gm*1 '`t,'~,,' V*.*"'S,,yJ>2>;>v%V k^~*'%r -n1fc^**--a"-.>11-1.VT.V-,<*<l"- ,"TV'T' . ** '..***' s*v > v *V * , \? - t . *Ai ' \ S ** * ">;" *r-. . * .' -. ''; ,<j " '"l" `-V'*,*'t*r<** .,*--*-S*J,,,-<*V*'*.,.>It.".-*''"--' /!"^<r. *4, *^f,e.4M" v*>, -~J ^ 'l ^ *w^li*dt#wiVtitM>'TtJbttt"`fttHrfmto umtMLjut4* ,- v / * * . * f * Vk*-l*va ^substitut* m JHK 1 on which should he nage hy 't* the eoapaoitg eoossmr aftttt dus cmiitowt^iim & *> hasards which may result to the general public and to workers engaged la the manufacture of V M L and It blending and also those engaged in the wholesale and retell marketing of these gasolines, we also believe that representatives of the companies should discuss this matter with the State health authorities in the states concerned. "If the decision is made to use TML as a gasoline additive we would suggest that the companies conduct studies that would demonstrate its acceptability from the public health viewpoint, should it develop that TML cannot be seuaufactured and used in gasoline without undue risk to the workers or to the public* the Public Health Service would recommend that Its use be dis continued. "In the manufacture and blending of TML* it is also suggested that the same hygienic standards applicable K E 000273 4 - 3- to TEL bo used. "should the companies concerned proceed with the substitution of TKL for TEL* we suggest that liaison be established between the companies and the Public Health Service with the understanding that the Public Health Service will have access to all clinical, environmental and other pertinent data relating to any studies undertaken We also suggest that the companies present to the Public Health Service one year after initiating the substitution, a report on the impact of TML on the contamination of the atmosphere in a major metropolitan center as well as clinical and environmental data demonstrating the safety of controls in the manufacture, use and handling of TML and of gasolines containing this compound." In addition, the Public Health service reviewed the following details proposed by industry in the event that the industry proceeded with the use of TML as a gasoline additive, and stated that they appeared reasonable under present circumstances* 1. The maximum concentration of tetraasethyl lead in gasoline should be limited at this time to 2.06 ^ 0002715 ~4ml11iliters per American gallon* This is equivalent in lead content to gasolines containing 3 milliliters of tetraethyl lead per gallon. 2* The warning sign cm pumps and other containers should be changed to read "lead alkyl** rather than "lead tetraebhyl*. Otherwise the sign would be identical to that in present use. A sign with this terminology could then be used on gasoline pumps or containers containing either tetraethyl or tetracsethyl. 3. In the case of gasolines containing a mixture of tetraethyl and tetramethyl lead, the maximum concentrt ion of lead should not be in excess of the equivalent of 4 milliliters of tetraethyl lead per gallon and that the tetramethyl fraction be no greater than 2.06 milliliters per gallon. 0002716 k