Document kD0zedNgamRjx91Xn4jrza6Db

*0* ETHYL CORPORATION SOUTHERN REGION NATIONAL BANK OF TULSA BLDG. TULSA 3, OKLAHOMA Kr.tUA, Taylor ' " "K- N m York Mr. L* W. Shank lulsa Reports *-T a n k t Wilffldngtoa, M*C. " July l$t 191$ Sear lfett ' . ' .. I an attaching hereto the following* 1# Report iron R. 1* Jordan dated July 6, giving the tine spent in the tanks and the aim involved. Z . Report fro & 1* Jordan dated July 10, sent In reply to our request for inforaation in connection with Jin Baldsin's re port that nen had slept in the tanks at Fisher Island* 3* Report fro B* L* Jordan dated July Hi* giving further infor . nation regarding Fisher Island tanks* ' u. mgr report regarding the location of cleaning sequence* . rand the tank The only ooasuxut we have to sake is that from the varioue reports it is obvious that the statenent of Curtis Kelson regarding sleeping in the tanks has little ^ or no bearing on the accident. Our reasoning Is as follows* and ^ H P r e reported to have slept in the tanks, yet sheers up with lead poisoning but Kelaon does not* worked on the Job together at Hlstagtoa* It H a b er Island and eouldnot have slept in task at the% place* ^ f ^ g o t a prsttygoed dose of lead oo he obviously got it elsewhere than at Fisher Island* The logical aesuaptton is that he got it et IBlwington. was not at liaher Island. In a telephone con- SaSbout another natter, Sr* fatealllsr told ae that " had shown up with very hlgh lead, end, that :~on W hvrilw line "Mf* n hospital ease*-'' assumption is that fHjjj|A alee got his lead vl^S uv></* * " ** n TH Y L C O R P O R A T IO N ** SOUTHERN REGION NATIONAL BANK O F TULSA BLDG. in view of the above, I believe that we can.consider the Fisher Island angle of the case closed* However, ixthei4 is any further information that you want regarding this, please let me know* I am going Bast on July 20, and among other places will go to Jackson ville. While there I will undoubtedly see Lou Williams of Tank Cleaners Incorporated. As a matter of fact Dr. Karl Kitziailler suggested that I make a point of seeing him. Therefore, if there is anything you want me to talk to him about please let me know as soon as possible. Li! g Attachments 0006730 SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT TANK CLEANING ACCIDENT W i m N G T O N , NORTH CAROLINA On Thursday, July 8, Mr. J. W. Bnary, Safety Engineer, and I called at the ofi the Otis Elevator Company in Dallas, Texas, in an attempt to locate Mr. the tank cleaning foreman on the above Job. It had been reported that M r T ^ ^ m was going back to work for the Otis Elevator Company where he had been previously employed. We were advised that he had not yet been placed on the O t i s p a y r o l l a s his doctor had ordered him to rest for a month or two. We were given Mr. f l i H E h o m a address and telephone number. ___ resides with his parents at $39 East Sixth Street, Dallas, Texas. 'His telephone number is Winfield 6736. ' We called and invited him to have lunch with us. We spent aboul^gohours with him an^thehignLights of our meeting with him are as follows: Mr. story of the tank cleaning in question was essentially the same as that previouli^reported. He told me that he had received a very complete physical examination from Dr. Karl Kitz- milier, and that during the examination he had given Dr. Kitzmiller a full and complete account of all the details of the work done at Wilmington from the beginning of the Job until the time he left. Therefore, we did not feel it necessary to pursue this angle further and proceeded to develop other information which had been requested. One of the points that we wished to establish was the exact location of the tanks that had been cleaned at the Carolina terminal. If reference is made to Mr. Baldwin's dia gram which accompanied his report of June 28, the tanks can be identified as No. 1, No. 2 and A. The sequence of cleaning was No. 1 first, then No. 2 and then A. This corroborates Mr. Jordan's report of July 6, a copy of which is attached hereto. We inquired very carefully as to M r . ^ ^ J ^ t p h y s l c a l condition. He said he felt fine and had a very good appetite for all three meals. He did say, however, that his doctor had him on a somewhat limited diet for a suspected stomach ulcer condition. One thing that he did complain of was sleepless and dreaming. He stated that he usually retired about 10:00 P.U. and read until about 2:00 A.M. at which time he usually dropped off to sleep. He awakens between 6:00 A.M. and 6:30 A.M. He stated that his sleep is somewhat troubled by dreams but that these are not of a particular horrible nature. What mostly bothers him is an after effect condition which involves the thought that he, too, might have died as d i d ^ m i ^ since he was also in these same tanks. This condition, he states, is dimini^iing^Hs seems in excellent spirits and says he feels quite well. M r s a i d that he probably would remain in Dallas where he lives with his parents, but had given some thought of attempting to secure a Job in Tulsa. I asked him to get in touch with me if he came to Tulsa and also to advise me if he left Dallas. This he readil agreed to do. Whether he does or not will not matter too much since the above address and telephone number are those of his parents. He can always be located through them. LWS-g L. W. SHANK 0006731 N 7662.01 * ' 't , v. = k c :: i'S- "* ' '' r<i% - ` ~ "''Z- -iv July 6, 1948 :.rr::,&*Ht ** 'c - ^ Wilmington N C* Tank Cleaning Accident <:*' V Hie following information was given to me by L* Williams, Manager of Tank ' :r Cleaners, Inc,, Jacksonville, Fla, regarding the tanks cleaned at Wilmington by his company up to, and including, the tanks that were involved in the aceldnet* ,'V' ''. ",''f.1'''X1 Name of Individual Tank Else R e m a r k s 'v-- Tank No* 2U Date June 16 June 17 June 13 and Time in Tank ^ :: 6 hrs* *+ . 4 h r e f ' ' " 2 hrs* Bbls. -.40,000 - -All,;- . '"E q u i p m e n t ' Used ' FFF i ;; * : June 18 ' 2 hra* , v- ir /"^ ' June 19 * 4 hrs* 2 hrs* v- 12,000 No Mask ' Worn 'j 2 June 19 June 21 \ A June 21 4 hrs* 6 hrs* 2 .hrs* . 2 hrs* 1 hr* ' 12,000 12,000 No Mask - *f- Vora ^ No Mask Worn No work Tuesday, both men sick, on Friday* |returning to Jacksonville Wednesday and The week prior to the accident f l H p entered tanks of Belcher Oil Company, Miami* At that tine I observed all ent:irie^iand all precautions were used including the wearing of airline mask* In the case of I accidnet* -. he had not been in any tank for over a month prior to the __ __ was the foreman on the above job, he was in the tanks without a mask for not over 45 minutes* his present address is 519 Bast 6th Street, Balias, Texas* Yon will be interested in knowing that Monday, June 28th, placed in the hospital* The next day he jumped out of a window and ran oow^the street nude* For several days he was out of his head but he is apparently coming out of it, the last few days they have taken off the straps and he la now acting normal* If there is anything else you want to know, let me know* In the meantime, I will , keep In close touch with Williams 'v B* L. JORDAN c 0 c4 vo .. & ((Lpjb' ~ y VO ^s;ypi f- -i*>iV--?; Daytona Beach, Fla July 10, 1948 Cape Fear Terminals Lead Poisoning Case It is hard to believe the story in your letter but when someone is grasping at straws I guess anything can happen. Since I felt that the tanks at Fisher Island had been in so many hanas. I considered them all as having been in leaded service. I will be in Miami Monday with the same crew at the Texas plant which is just across the channel ''roc the Belcher Plant, while there I will check more closely the former content of those tanks. I called Williams about the men sleeping in the tanks and he said someone had really misunderstood the situation. He claims the men slept on and not in it and would give an affidavit to that effect. I will check further with the crew Monday and advise you o " my findings. Looks as if one will have to sleep wits the tan-: cleaners to keep out of trouble. There is one thin;' I would like to point out. 'Work on the Belcher tanks did not start until Friday, June 11, and there was only one tan.: thoroughly cleaned by Saturday night. I ; they did sleep in the tank, which I don't believe, could have slept in it only Saturday night, since he left on Sunday for Wilmington. Toe thin,; I can not understand is, if Mercer told Williams, as he claims, to wear masks because he thought the tanks dangerous, why did ho leave the tanks over the weekend and not return til Tuesday frankly, I am getting a little sore about all this buck passing. C 0 p Y Yours truly, R. L. JORDAN 0006733 N 7662.03 COPI July 111, 19U8 Cape Fear Terminals Alleged Lead Poisoning Case While in Miami I checked again with Orange State Oil Co as to what had been in toe tanks on Fisher Island. #103 #102 #105 #107 #101 Kerosene Ethyl You have this #122 on report thyl Ethyl Housebrand Unfortunately Curtis Nelson was not with the crew this time having gone on another tank cleaning up worth so I was unable to quiz him about sleeping in toe tanks. Ed Williams was there and he said he slept on the tank to get up in the air to get some breeze since it was like a jungle on the ground. I personally don't know what to believe but that is the story. Wnile at Miami, J. F. Sova, toe foreman who was with me on the above and who took over toe cleaning of the tanks at Wilmington after the accident, told me an interesting thing that occurred there. After toe accident the pit in which the sludge was to be buried was not covered over until he arrived wliich was about a week later. I understand that Baldwin took a lead air sample above this sludge after Sova arrived there and this sample showed 10 micrograms. It seems to me with such high lead in the tank, all you had to do was to smell the tank to know that it was dangerous* s/ R. L. Jordan COPY N 7662.04 June 26, 19^ 6 Medical Report - employee of Tank Cleaners, Incorporated, P.0, Box 3261, Jacksonville, Florida, age 32, occupation - assistant tank cleaner Married, Negro - children - 1 girl 13 , 1 boy 6 Industrial and Personal History: Born in Athens, Georgia, Completed 6th grade, elementary school. Worked at a variety of odd jobs during childhood and later. Employed as laborer in tire shop for several years. Worked as spray painter, using "olive drab" Army paint 19 *1-1-19^ 50 Employed by Tank Cleaners, Incorporated for past 3 years (19^5-19^)* Principal job was to act as assistant to chief tank cleaner. Seldom worked inside tank and then only in case of help shortage or to mop up water after the tank had been cleaned. Principal job was to stand outside manhole and to receive buckets of sludge and carry them to the sludge pit for disposal. Assisted in digging sludge pit and burying sludge. Carried on general maintenance work, cleaning, washing, snd painting trucks. Wears coveralls, rubber boots, and gloves while engaged in tank-cleaning activities. Has worn air line mask when engaged in cleaning operations in tanks which was seldom, but not when working in tank after cleaning. Past Medical History: Felt good. Usual childhood illnesses, although does not remember specific nature. Has never been seriously sick. Mild attacks of asthma since 13 years of age. Sustained rupture some years ago. Wears truss. Present Medical History: Became worried after learning of the illness o f f ^ f l K Did not feel well on Wednesday, June 23 K OOC6735 and after completing the day's work at the Carolina Terminal, Wilmington, North Carolina, boarded a bus that evening and arrived in Jacksonville Thursday evening, where he consulted Dr. John Mitchell,, States that he feels all right at present, though he had been quite disturbed Saturday morning on learning of the death of William Davis Appetite good Diet adequate No alcohol. Smokes one package of cigarettes daily Sleeps well with occasional dreams, though sleep has been disturbed recently. U.W. 13$ pounds B.Wo l60 pounds (19*H) L.W. 13 B pounds (19^7-19^) Family History: Parents living and well. Four sisters, two brothers living and wello / Physical Examination: The subject is a fairly well nourished and well developed Negro apparently of stated age and weight. H. 6H-.5" P. M- R. 20 B.P. 90/ 50 Well oriented and rational throughout interview. Slightly apprehensive, quiet, and seemingly depressed. Cooperates readily. Posture; Erect. Lymph Nodes: Superficial groups not enlarged. Skin: No eruption. Ears - Drums appear normal. Eyes: Pupils equal, regular, react to light and on accommodation. External ocular movements normal. Nose: Mucous membranes normal color, breathing space adequate. Mouth and Throst: Teeth and gums in fairly good condition* Blotchy purplish pigmentation of gums and oral mucous membranes* Tonsils not seen* Pharynx: Not remarkable* Occasional slight fibrillary twitching of orbicularis oris* Tongue protrudes in midline without tremor* Dorsum coated* Papillae normal0 Chest: Lungs clear on percusssion and auscultation. Heart - R.3D* ^*5 R*C*D* 3 * 9 Sounds clear, regular, no murmurs* Exercise response normal* Abdomen: No masses, no tenderness, no organs palpable* Large easily reducible indirect inguinal hernia, right* No external hemorrhoids* Extremities: Normal form and function* No incoordination* Muscle power goodo No muscle tremors aside from those previously noted* Reflexes: Equal, active, no abnormal reflexes* Romberg negative* No past pointing* No sensory disturbance* Hb - 15 go Samples of blood and urine collected for quantitative lead analyses. See attached report* Summary: Probably has had significant exposure in connection with recent work in tank cleaning* History may not be reliable in view of critical nature of recently past events in connection with tank cleaning activities at Wilmington, North Carolina* Significant findings at this time consist in slightly altered mental status with period of excitable hysterical-like state upon learning of the - (k) death of followed by a period of depression associated with hypotension, and inconstant fibrillary twitching of orbicularis oris* Advised to continue under the observation of Dr, Mitchell for a few days Subsequent Report flH|Hftbecame restless, apprehensive, and unable to sleep during Saturday night, June 26, 19^$ He became disoriented and highly agitated Sunday morning and upon the advice of Dr, Mitchell he was admitted to Brewster Hospital Sunday, June 27 1 9 ^ at 11:00 a,m. Complained of pain in right inguinal region on admission Gave reasonably coherent story of events concerned with recent tank cleaning activities Vomited 2-3 times Sunday morningo No diarrhea Appetite good Bestless, nervous, and depressed Unable to sleep Saturday night Physical examination at 1:30 p,m Sunday by Dr. Allen, extern, disclosed no significant findings with exception of hypotension T 9S6 P o 0 B.Po 92/5$ B, 2H-, regular No abnormal reflexes No exaggeration of reflexes June 23. 19*1-3 Seen at 11:30 am at Brewster Hospital, Jacksonville, Florida B.P 90/ 60 P 7$ R. 20 Patient in bed, restrained with ankle straps and chest bands K 0006733 - (5) Apprehensive, fearful, agitated, talking irrationally more or less continuously, refuses all medication, fearful of being poisoned or being killed Suspicious of all doctors and nurses Finally submits to feeding after much coaxing by attendant and eats heartily {bread, meat, vegetables, ginger ale, water} After an hour or so permits venipuncture Samples of blood and urine taken for quantitative lead analyses 1:15 Pom - I.v. administration of ^ g magnesium sulfate in 200 c.c distilled water, preceded by 3 grains of nembutal by mouth Patient sleeping soundly and quietly before the completion of the I.V 2:00 p.m. - I.V. continued with 600 cc0 of 10# glucose in normal saline. 3:02 pom - 3 c.c. B.A.L. given by injection into the gluteal muscle B.P. 90/60 3:05 P.m. - B.P, 100/70 3:09 P.m - Samples of blood taken for quantitative lead analyses 3:15 p.m. - 3 grains of nembutal given orally0 B.P. 100/70 3:25 p.m. - Patient catheterized. lJ-0 c.c* of urine obtained for quantitative lead analyses. *J-:02 p.m, - B.P. 110/70. *f:07 p.m.. - Blood samples taken for quantitative lead analyses. P 0 B.P, 110/70. k:25 p.m - Patient sleeping, though very restless prior to and after injection of B.A.L,, complaining, talking loudly and Ki 00C6739 profanely, struggling against restraint Fell into deep sleep after IV was discontinued and arm released from restraining board No specific symptoms noted from B.A.L* injections Urinalysis - specimen yellow, acid to litmus paper* Sp* Gr* 1*026 Albumin - Trade Sugar - Negative Microscopic - Few granular casts - no blood 7:00 p*m - Has been sleeping quietly since last note at ty:25 Pom B.P. 100/70 P 7$ R* l6 , regular* .Chest clear, heart sounds regular, good quality No abdominal tenderness 11:55 pm - B.A*L 3 c.c. I*M Patient became restless, incoherent and violent about 5:30 p*m Attempted to attack nurse who was administering medication* Emesis occurred 5 minutes after the administration of B.A.L. The vomitus consisted of 12-l6 ounces of greenish, turbid fluid Nembutal suppository 3 grains administered at 9:55 p.m* June 29 19H-g 3 c*c B.A.L* administered 3:^ 5 a*m, 7:00 a*m, and 11:30 a*m Controlled by the administration of 3 grains of nembutal at hour intervals Sleeping soundly at 11:20 a*m* and 12 noonp from nembutel administered at 10 :30 a*m. Talks irrationally when aroused* Tends to become suspicious, fearful, and violent with little provocation P J2 R 20 BP 100/70* Administration of B.A.L* at 11:30 a.m. followed shortly thereafter by emesis of 16 ounces of turbid, greenish KS' 0006740 - (7) fluide B.P. IIO/ 72 (11:55 a.m*). Following the administration of B.A.L. at 11:55 a*u blood -specimens were taken 7 minutes and 1 hour later* Impossible to collect urine specimen without catheterization* Involuntary during night at time of violent struggling against restraint. IoV* administration of Amigen (Mead-Johnson), a pancreatic hydrolysate of casein, containing amino acids, and poly peptides with 5$ dextrose in normal saline (protein 50 grams, glucose 50 grams, KaCl grams). . June 50. 1 9 ^ Condition improved, although continues to be disoriented and paranoid* B.A.L* continued - 3 e.c* Q4H without untoward effects* Takes food and liquid fairly well though spits out mouthfuls of water frequently* Unable to obtain voided specimen of urine. Advised to force fluids by mouth and to continue restraint as indicated with constant services of male attendant* 2:00 pm* - Patient taking nourishment and liquid well by mouth* Condition considerably improved, 3:00 p.m* - With the continued improvement in the patient's clinical condition, the prognosis seems good for eventual recovery and further attendance is considered to be unnecessary at this time. Left accordingly for Cincinnati, departing by plane from Jacksonville at M-:05 p*m. (June 30, 1 9 ^ ) o K 0000741 July 3. 19*t Long-distance telephone conversation with Dr. John Mitchell disclosed the following information. The patient, had continued to improve since last seen. However, there was some difficulty about compensation adjustment for the male attendants and as a result of this one attendant failed to report for duty Thursday evening. While left alone, H ^ H ^ m a n a g e d to undo the restraining straps on his ankle Thursday night, got out of bed and attempted to jump out of an open window in his room. Fortunately, a nurse happened to be passing through the hall at this time, saw Rouser climbing onto the window sill, ran into the room, seized him by the leg and screamed for help. She succeeded in holding him until assistance arrived. He was then returned to bed and placed in a straight jacket. Straightjacket restraint was continued throughout Friday and on Saturday morning. However, satisfactory arrangements have been made so that male attendants will again be con tinuously available for the present. Condition in general seems to be improving. July 12. 1 9 ^ During the course of a long-distance conversation with Dr. Mitchell at 10:30 a.m. he reported that the condition of was excellent and that pronounced improvement had occurred during the last few days. He has been permitted to be up and about his room under the K 0006742 - (9) supervision of an attendant and is rational and cooperative He has been receiving injections of B.A.L (3 cc) morning and evening daily K. V. Kitzmiller, M*D 0006 -io