Document XRLLemE0MxbDRoZjOq3B67LNK

P A U L R U T H flf O f iO PPCSIOtNT H O M E O F F IC E -- HA RTFO R D 5 CONNECTICUT August 21, 1951 Dr. Robert A. Kehoe University of Cincinnati Department of Preventive Medicine & Industrial Health Cincinnati 19, Ohio Dear Dr. Kehoet- We have recently learned that some lead organic compounds are being used as driers in the manufacture of paints, enamels, varnishes and synthetic paints, especially such compounds as lead naphthenate and lead phthalate. These driers are received from the manufacturer in concentrated from and are reduced by the paint manufacturer at a ratio of approximately It to 1. The reduced driers are then compounded in batch mixes of approximately 5 gallons per 1000 gallons. Since it is necessary for the paint manufacturer to place the concentrated drying agent into the solution with either alcohol or a thinner, there is some handling of the dry concentrated material. Ve are not able to find anything in the literature on the solubility of the above two lead organic compounds in the gastro-intestinal tract. likewise, there is considerable handling of the reduced drying agent in the course of the various products compounding operations in open con tainers such as pails and buckets. This naturally raises the question of skin absorption of these two lead compounds and we are also unable to find anything in the literature concerning this toxicological aspect. Since such compounds as tetraethyl lead, lead acetate and lead oleate are readily absorbed through the skin, we are prone to question this character istic of the two compounds in question. Apy information you can give us on the above matter will be greatly appre ciated. Thank you. HATs kg Yours very truly, r, --f H, AL.. Thiiemann, Engineer Engineering Department te YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT YOU'LL DO WELL WITH T H E H A R TF O R D co*