Document YD9L1g8M34x8XQ3kwzwLLGb3D

June 1?, 19hX Mr, Hugh Fossett c/o British Ethyl Corporation do rthwich Cheshire, England My dear Possett: Thanks for your various corrcnunications which have gone largely unanswered because they seemed to require very little in the way of reply, .and also because, as you may expect, I have been very busy with ocher things, I have approved the arrangement made through Mr. Batchelor for engaging Dr, Freeman temporarily in accordance with the en closed copy. There is little point, I believe, in my writing in any detail to any of these man. Dr. Fairly can be trusted to provide complete information to men who are engaged with his knowledge and consent, and I believe that under present conditions we may just as well content ourselves to allow things to be handled in this fashion. Changes are likely to be made fairly frequently and since I have written to Dr, Fairley telling him of my point of view in this regard, X believe there is little I need do other than to keep aware of what transpires. All in all it seems a rather difficult situation but I shall do the beat I can with it. With reference to your correspondence with N, V. de Bataafache Petroleum Maatschappij concerning the contamination of water white gasoline with leaded gasoline, I-think you have taken the right position. We could, of coprse, arrange to have some analyses done for them and will be glad to do so J.f for any reason you consider it advisable. On the other hand X would feel that such analyses were made purely for the purpose of satisfying them arid not for the purpose of obtaining any needed information. lit is quite clear that there will be no dangers involved in the procedure they wish to carry on. Apparently they are not clear in their mihds as to the purely theoretical character of the dangers involved in handling leaded gasoline. It is, in fact, absurd to conslddr the toxicity of gasoline from the point of view of its lead content, if the lead was derived only from such a source as they have in mind. In this connection, you might report to him. If you wish to do so, that if the lead content of gasoline is less than 2 question of lead poisoning as the result of any type of normal handling of gasoline* This, I believe, is covered in the memorandum which you called to their attention, but if you care to mention it specifically in addition to what is said there, it will do no harm. Obviously you are quite right in telling them that there is no short cut reaction by means of which they can determine the lead content of gasoline. Generally speaking it would be possible for thorn to tell whether lead was present in terms of the color of the gasoline. This, however, is not always safe since gasoline may be discolorized to some degree. However in the case of fresh gasoline, it might be well to point out to them if the dye can not be seen, then tne lead content must indeed be minor I was- particularly interested to find that you have moved.your office. I think, this Should be highly advantageous from the point pf view of maxntaining contaet with all of your act!vities. I am to know that your family is out of London, and I Lorna and the children, as well as yourself, are not having too; difficult a time. I would appreciate it ijf you would give Lorna my very kindest regards when you gee her, and for yourself, as always, my very best wishes. Sincerely yours. RAK:ls Robert A. Kehoe, M.D. *. KB 0015773