Document RJnRYpz247vmwwK5Gj21BnpqB
June 15, 1945
Master Sergeant Oscar P. Cohen, 4Oth Chemical Laboratory Company,
6th HQ Special Troops, II Armored Corps, S n Jose, California*
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Dear Sergeant Cohent
In response to your letter of June 8, let me say that I shall be very glad to send you reprints of the available toxicolo gic information on lead tetraethyl* Before doing so, hoveva?, I think I should call your attention to the fact that this r compound has already been investigated quite thoroughly by ourselves and others, and also by the Chemical Warfare Service. Ho doubt you are familiar with the publication of Gilchrist, and of the conclusion of the toxicologists at Edgevood Arsenal, concerning this compound and its applicability as a chemical warfare agent. I do not presume to Instruct you in matters that are your own affair, but it would seem that this compound has had very extensive toxicologic Investigation ,and that very little more could be added to what has been done,with immediate practical advantage.
So far as the other lead alkyls are concerned, the only one I
know that has been investigated extensively is lead tetramethyl.
Some work has been done on the various compounds represented
by varying proportions of methyl and ethyl radicals. At least
a sufficient amount of work has been done to show that all of
these compounds are similar in their toxicity and mode of action,
and that they owe their toxicity to their lead content. The
toxicologic information on these compounds with the exception of
tetraethyl lead, has not been published. We have a considerable
amount of information, enough, I believe, for most practical
purposes, and obviously we should be glad to make this available,
although it would take quite some time to put the material
together* It would be my opinion that a great deal of time might
be saved and a great deal of duplication might be avoided if
some
member of your organization could visit this Laboratory
w as to obtain for bdmself the information which we have in
addition to that which is published. I am certainly not aware
of subsequent problems which you may have in mind, but I believe
It is fair to say that much of the information which you will be
required to discover Is already available. Also I think we should
Master Sergeant Oscar P. Cohen - (2) - June 15# 19^5
be able to answer many of the questions which will arise ,by virtue of our experience with this group of compounds. Certainly It ought not to be necessary to do very much work beyond that which has already been done,In order to determine the practical usefulness of these compounds.
With reference to the physical and chemical properties of the lead alkyls, I believe it is fair to say that the best Informa tion can be obtained from Dr. George Calingaert. of the Ethyl Corporation. Dr. Calingaert can be addressed as follows:
Dr* George Cling a e r t , Ethyl Corporation, 1700 West Eight Mile Hoad, Detroit, Michigan.
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Most of the information which I have concerning the strictly chemical behavior of these compounds has come from him, and it would be better, I believe, if he were to give you the informa tion himself. In this way, I shall not be giving out information which may not be the last word, and I shall not be dealing in confidential information.
Under separate cover I am sending you seme of the available information. In certain of the reprints you will fin'd a number of other references. If you care to raise any further questions after examining these articles, I should be glad to reply as well as I can.
Cordially yours,
RAK ef
ofeert A . e h o e , M . D .
K E 0008907