Document RpmbZvgL1zO8gppqVy0xkG71V

March 5, 1935 Mr* W* A Haine, As3t* Chief Ohemist, The Pure Oil Co*, 35 E* Vfacker Drive, Chicago, 111* Dear Mr* Haine: The description of the onset the workman described in your letter to Mr* dated February lii-th, 1935 corresponds with. what would be expected a3 a result of the inhalation of gasoline vapors* Considering the precatitionary measures which are commonly taken against such possibility it seems surprising that this man evidently entered the tank v?ithout an air-line mask, or at least with a defective one. It is quite certain that he was overcome by gasoline vapors, since no other material capable of inducing tmconsciousness is present in such tanks. The development of pneumonia is not to be regarded as an unusual consequence of such an incident. As bo the effects of the antioxidant ingredient of the gasoline, I can not give you any definite information, though in general they have no high immediate toxicity, but as to the effects of the lead content there is adequate information. Gasoline containing tetraethyl lead in the commercial amounts does not give rise to t he danger of lead absorption by skin contact or by inhalation. I send you herewith an article which discusses these matters and refers to the literature of the subject. The lead deposits which may accumulate on the sides and bottom of the tank are a source of danger to which X shall refer in the suc ceeding paragraph but the absorption of these materials ?.-SCes Ctmracfceristic symptoms which bear no resemblance nnH described in this cRse* Such effects may be entirely ruled out therefore. KB 38 ' m Despite the fact that the c&se In guestion is clearly one of gasoline Intoxication frora the inhalation of fumes, I cannot fall to take this opportunity to call attention to the precautions which have been advised (and with which your company has been circularized).for the cleaning of storage tanks which have been used for leaded gasoline* No man should ever be permitted to enter one of these tanks without strict attention to the details of these precautions, not because he Is In danger of being overcome by anything other than gasoline, but rather because in the absence of significant concentrations of gasoline vapors he may be exposed bo the Inhalation of significant amounts of finely divided lead compounds from the aides and bottom of the tank* Such compounds if inhaled to a sufficient degree will produce a delayed illness on the followin;; day nr days. If there is no mechanism in the operation of your company to see that the precautions advised for protection of such workmen are carried out in detail in the cleaning of such tanks, such a mechanism should be established at once, for otherwise trouble is in waiting. I should appreciate it, therefore, if you would see that the matter is brought to the attention of the proper person or persons, who, if they a re in any doubt a3 to what should he done, should communicate with ne a t once. Very truly yours, Robert A. Kehoe, M,D* HE 0012139