Document XV9D3xbBnZbRBpEEwd0xQo3y

"rxiR A. ^ . ^ n n AT l-'THY rAA'*xri_Aw LReyOjJlce.Tll-E. ADELPHI, LONDON, W. C. 2 T IMTTPn PASEO COLON, 285 - BUENOS AIRES ARGENTINA Representative: C. L. RISSO - G IL L Telephone; D EPEN SA (3 4 ) 6 7 6 4 Cable Address.- ET H Y LPO RT - BU EN O S A IRES Buenos Aires,January 12th,,lS43 Dr.Robert A.Kehoe Kettering Laboratory of Applied Physiology University of Cincinnati Cincinnati,Ohio,U.S.A. Dear Dr.Kehoe, . VENEZUELA I am pleased to inform you that the Decree dated 15th.September 1939 regulating the mixing,sale and U3e of gasoline containing tetrae thyl lead has now been revised and that the new regulations are contained ' in a new Decree dated October 14th,,1942,of which I enclose a translation* For your information,the Decree dated September 15th.1939 differs from that dated October 14th.1942 in the following respectss Articles Nos.l and 2 are replaced by the nsw Art.N21 which does not limit the points where blending can be effected/to refineries. Article N23 is identical with the new Article N22. Article N24 is replaced by Art.N23 which specifies the type of analysis which may be carried out by. the Ministry of Health. While it would have been preferable for the matter to have been left as indefinite as it was before,there is little I can do about it now,and I do not think the new article will give rise to any difficulties with the authorities. Articles Nos.5 and 6 have been deleted. Articles Nos.7 and 8 are replaced by the new Article N24 which covers the question of instructing the workmen/more briefly. Article N29 has been deleted. Articles Hos.10,11,12,13 and 14. These articles have been replaced respec tively by the new articles Nos.6,7,8,9 and 5 which are identical. Articles N2s 15 and 16 have been replaced by Articles Nos.10,11 and 12 which conform with the proposal which I made,with the exception that the Ministry has reserved the right to ask for supplementary analytical data concerning the men. Articles Nos.17,18,19 and 20 are replaced respectively by the new Articles Nos.13,14,15 and 16 which are identical. On the whole,I feel that the new Decree is a considera ble improvement on the previous one although I would have preferred to have seen it re-written in an entirely different form. Furthermore,you will note that in spite of my recommendation,Article N820 still stands as the new Article N216. It is very difficult indeed in Venezuela-and in a good many South American countries-to be too insistent on minor change of Governmental Decrees as the Government Officials are apt to be suspicious and look for an ulterior motive in the rec.ommendations which are made. Also,there are a number of minor Officials who want to justify their existen ce by introducing into any legislation unnecessary complications. Taking all these factors into account,I think we can be satisfied with the results obtained. Yours sincere! CLRGiED Encl.-(l) cc Mr.T.R.A.Bevan cc Mr.HoFosset-fc 0010584 TRANSLATION i ... * ;' v ' .. . UNITED STATES OF VENEZUELA - HINISTRT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE - DIRECTORATE Of PUBLIC HEALTH. NUMBER 135 - CARACAS, OCTOBER 14TH.1942 .v.^ ' , RES OLVBDs C; Aa the experience acquired 3ince the publication of the Resolution dated Ipth,Sep tember 1939 regulating the mixing,sale and use of gasoline with tetraethyl lead, makes it desirable to modify the said Resolution to adapt it to the results obtained, the citizen,President of the United States of Venezuela resolves that for mixing gasoline with tetraethyl lead aa well aa for its sale and use,the following regula tions must be followed in future, 1) A previous permit from the Ministry of Health and Social Assistance is nooessary for mixing gasoline and tetraethyl lead,and the Ministry will keep a special register of such permits. The permits will only be granted if the application contains the following par ticulars: an indication of the place where the mixing is to be carried out and a list of the names of the workmen selected for this purpose and reports on their medical examination as referred to in Article II11. 2) The maxirouxa tetraethyl lead content for commercial gasoline will be ljl,2SQ by volume of commercial tetraethyl lead or 1:1,300 per Pb (C2H5) 4 0 ? , 3) Mixing may only be effected mechanically in well ventilated places and a suffi cient stock of tetraethyl load must bo carried to effect the mix. Officials of the Ministry of Health and Social Assistance may at any time take samples of air and of the mixture for analysis in order to ascertain whether the operation is hazardous for the men or for the consumers. 4) The company is obliged to instruct the workmen carrying out the mixing operation and must point out to them the hazards of the said operation and the manner of avoiding them. The instructor must fora part of the group of blenders and must permanently -su pervise their work. ' 5) The regulations and instructions, which must be followed by the workmen must be posted in a visible place, . 6) The operation of the pumps must be stopped immediately any leak or any other defect of the system is noted,and no repair or dismantling of the system must be effected without the authority of a technical expert. 7) The places where the mix is effected must be provided with drains for draining old offthe floor and should such drains not be provided a stock of chemicals oust carried to neutralize any fluid which might be spilt. 8) No mixing installation may be dismantled either for ropaits or for any other purpose exoept by a responsible expert. 9) A stock of kerosene or of any other material which will permit washing the skin to avoid any absorption of tetraethyl lead mist be carried in the plant. 10) The distributors of tetraethyl lead will designate a doctor or doctors to exa mine the blenders of tetraethyl lead with gasoline and who will represent them before the Ministry of Health and Social Assistance in medical matters related with the in dustry. 11) Every person, who wishes to be a blender must be subjected to a prior examination by the doctor appointed by the distributor. This medical examination mist fulfil at least the following requirements: (A) examination of the general state of health: (B) Check on the most current aymptons of lead intoxication* (C) Weight naked (D) Ar terial pressure.(E) Haemoglobin determination and count of red cells. (F) Examination of basophilic stippling. (G) The Ministry of Health and Social Assistance may include other determinations which will be communicated to the doctor of the distributor. 12) When a new plant for mixing tetraethyl lead with gasoline is started up,after complying with the previsions of the preceding articles,the blenders will be submitted to medical examination every month during the first 3 months.and every 4 months there after. Should it become necessary to replace some of the blenders in a plant which is already in operation,the candidates will be examined previously as mentioned above and thereafter they will be examined every 4 months* The Ministry of Health and Social Assistance must receive reports of the first as well as of the periodical examination. 13) Every service station distributing gasoline containing tetraethyl lead must carry a visible sign with the following inscription in black capital letters on a white background: SAIE OF GASOLINE CONTAINING TETRAETHYL LEAD. TO BE USED ONLY IN MOTOR VEHICLES. HOT TO BE USED IN STOVES,FOR CLEANING OR ANY OTHER PURPOSE. AVOID SPILLAGE* 14) Containers sed for the distribution of gasoline containing tetraethyl lead must carry a warning as specified in Article N>13. 15) Gasoline containing tetraethyl lsad must be coloured a distinctive colour to distinguish it from other gasoline* 16) Garages,repair shops,service stations etc must have fixed signeson the walls stating - 3- the following; The exhaust gases of jaotors are dangerous Motors oust not be kept running in garages longer than absolutely necessary and never in private garages with the door closed - Gasoline nixed with tetraethyl lead nay only be used as a fuel for motors - Gasoline vapours are noxious. This resolution annuls that of the 15th.of September 1939 above referred to. To be communicated and published. For the Federal Executive F. LAIRET,Hijo Buenos Aires(December 1942 CLRG :ED 0010587