Document aBKrLmnVEbpMaX3vayg7KgGxR

May 25, 1966 Mr. R. B. Both Electranio Components, Ino. 902 Cresoent Avenue Bridgeport, Connecticut 06607 Dear Mr. Boehi Your inquiry concerning protective hand creams for employees handling Aroolor 1242 has been referred to the Medical Department for reply. The liquid Aroolors are not skin irritants in the usual sense. They are excellent solvents, however, and may remove the normal protective fata and oils near the surfaoe of the skin if exposure or contact is repeated or prolonged. This obviously may lead to a dermatitis or local skin reaction. If, as I have been told, some of your employees are working also in degreasing operations, there may well be a dual solvent effect. A number of companies manufacture protective or barrier hand oreams formulated for speolfio purposes - i.e. a cream for water soluble irritantsj another for water insoluble irritantsj a third for organic solvents, etc. Among these companies arei American Optical Company Southbridge, Massachusetts Sugar Beet Products Company Saginaw, Miohigan 48605 Mine Safety Appliances Company Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15208 Branch Office at: 281 Fairfield Avenue Bridgeport, Connecticut 06603 DSW 020253 STLCOPCB4008182 Mr. R. E. Boeh Nay 25, 1966 Page 2 Perhaps it is unnecessary to point out that barrier or protective creams are an adjunct to - and not a substitute for - a preventive program which Includes steps to reduce or eliminate contact and good personal hygiene praotleea. To be effective, the appropriate cream should be applied possibly sev eral times a day In accordance with the supplier's instructions following thorough washing of the hands with soap and water. Some of our plants have had unsatisfactory experience with creams when they have been applied In insufficient quantities when a worker started a shift and the invisible barrier was expeoted to perform miracles throughout an G-hour shift even though there was too liberal exposure during the day, the cream was removed by washing during a break for meals and no new application of the cream after washing. If I can be of any further service, please do not hesitate to let me know. Very truly yours. N \ MNJjmJb M. N. Johnson, M. D. Assistant Medical Director cc: 0. R. Graham - Monsanto, N.Y. r. w. Ehrhardt - Monsanto, N.Y. DSW 020254 STLCOPCB4008183