Document RJyxDXOK7MBqmNaQN9E0yjNgk

THE ASSOCIATED ETHYL COMPANY LIMITED NORTHWICH CHESHIRE Dielephcne: NORTHWICH 2237. .jf&ad Office: ARTILLERY HOUSE, ARTILLERY ROW, LONDON, S.W. I. ABBEY 3974. K.2. YOUR REF. ZJelegnams &. Cables: ETHYLPORT, NORTHWICH. d at e 20th April, 1940, directors: N. A.GASS. J. e. AUG. KESSLER, (NETHERLANDS) J.W.BOYLE. r.G.C.MORRIS. R.H.PORTERS. R.V. SELLERS . '' D. A .SHEPARD, (u. S. A.) A. J. SINGLETON. G. SPRY- , t .r .a .Se v an , fManaging} Dr. I?.A. Kehoe, Kettering Laboratory of Applied Pliyaiology, College of Medicine, Mnivcr?itv of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, 19# CHIC, It 3. A. \ Deer Dr. Kehoe, '"ere I to receive this letter my impression would be that the writer' thought that I had not much to do. I must humbly apologise, for I realise how very busy you always are. (1} ?irst, a query which is worrying i'ryke. According to our regulations it is perfectly safe to enter a tank after it has been rendered sludge; free. An oil company has stated that, in some large tanks with indifferent ventilation, there is a considerable amount of T.E.L. vapour in the air, and they do not consider it a safe procedure to enter a tank without protective equipment immediately it is sludge free. Y/e have not the facilities here for testing the lead in air in tanks, and it will be some years before the field kit will be in general use, and, even then, it will be only at refineries where it will be properly used. There remains the large number of locations whore a general rule is necessary for the time that must elapse between the point the tank is sludge free and when it may be entered with safety. The v/orst. possible conditions are visualised. Could we plea.se have your comments on thi3 urgently? (2) You were completing a report on the cleaning of small tanks under 1,000 barrels in capacity. You gave some of the figures and a general opinion on these. Could w please have a copy, of the final report? (y) Ethylene dibromide has been suggested as n soil steriliser. It is apparently possible that its use for this purpose may become a commercial proposition. I have your studies and those of Thomas and Yant, but nothing on human cases of intoxication. I am of the impression that there has been at * least one case of poisoning. I would be most grateful for any information on this case, or others. The symptomatology in man is not known to me. (4) Croton aldehyde is to be used ns a denaturant for alcohol at the Diibt romide plant. I can get nothing definite on the toxicological properties 7* of croton aldehyde on this side Could you please help? This is not urgent. . (9) I have been asked by a doctor in Switzerland to approach you regarding PC,| methyl acetate. Y/e have nothing on it. He was particularly anxious to know if it ireduces neurological symptoms in man. Henderson and Haggard in their Dr..,.. R....A, JPehoe ,..Chia.,...i'-d- A. 1>.v t i5...2u:;.h textbook "Noxious Oases'* indicate that it probably has not more th*n an anaesthetic action. The instance constituting his i^roblem, of which I have no details, is one in -which an individual developed signs of meningeal irritation* followed by a temporary paraplegia. (6) V.'e are going through our meagre supply of literature at an amazing rate. Could we please have a further supply of "Lead .Studies" in French, and a few in Spanish and Italian? "'e have no spare copies of "Occupational Lead Exposure and Lead roisoning" . This is a most popular publication. 'e would also be grateful for a few copies of the "Lead Poisoning Symposium" of 1940, and as many copies as you can spare of "Exposure to Lead" of February 1947 I was in Switzerland last week. The political situation is against the use of leaded gasoline. The impression is that it will remain. The I.P.3.A. refinery at Fotkreuz, near Zurich, is commencing blending with barrel equipment, with one eductor. This is a new refinery marketing its products in Switzerland. I had a conference with intransigent Dr. Dettling and two doctors associated with the medico-legal and compensation aspects, namely, Dr. A. Ctftkly and Dr. D. lioegger. The latter were reasonable men. Dr. Max Leder of Zurich has been appointed medical Consultant to cover the Rotkreuz installation. He specialises in dermatology, venereology and industrial diseases. The Ethyl Committee in Switzerland will nominate a physician/toxicologist to investigate for it should any cse3 of poisoning occur in Switzerland. They remain very insular and conservative in outlook, and will almost certainly augment the regulations. I had an interview with Mr. Bevan last week and he told me that the new extension had been held up by the bad weather, and that it would probably be completed in the early summer. I am sure you will be pleased to see it finished. I heard that you may be coming over in September. delighted indeed to see you again. We shall be Things ar gradually improving here despite improved output. Last month was the best ever from the medical point, of view, and improvement will continue. please give my respects to Mrs. Kehoe. With kindest personal regards, Yours very sincerely. 13, Davison. /< 0010009