Document mBXRx3kGJ4mZqqmdyJ41Zz9yd

Memorandum Concerning a Telephone Conversation with Mrj, Ben Penrose, on May 18, 1$'54* i Ben stated that the Sun Oil people are about to remove the floating roof structure from two large tanks and there is the question as to the disposal of the steel which will cone from these tanks. There have been three proposals (l) to ;sell the' scrap, steel\ (2) submerge the steel in the lake; and (3) to bury the steel. The price of scrap steel at the preseni^ time is so low that there is no important economic question apd the Sun Oil is apparently quite willing to dispose of the stqel in the best interests of safety. Ben was advised that the preferred discosit ion of the steel would be dunroing it injto the 3ake smd as second choice burial of the steel. The question was asked as to whether or not it would be desirable to attemot: deeont miration of the steel by potassium permanganate solution before burial, but it was not thought necessary that this procedure, be followed before burial. The old roofs of these two tankjs are to be reapplied and it was advised that wire brushing; of the steel before welding should be done. British American Oil Company are to do some weldina; on lartre tanks from the outside. Ben was advised that this coul d easily constitute a significant lead exposure, not fro:p the TE which might be within the tank, but from the burning of the plint on the outside of the tank .and it was suggested that he adjrise the company of this possibility. Ben stated that British American had had art expor3once with a tank cleaning in the Halifax area. duPont was[ responsible for I ,. die control of these tank cleanings and while ncj accidept occurred, H E 0017328 2- it had been determined by British American that the work was done under very poor hygienic control and that the use of masks had been sporadic. This induced them to call Ben in for consultation and a meeting was held to tighten under Ben's direction or at least through Ben's information to further systematize their tank cleaning procedures. Out of this meet.ing came the fact that British American expected to all into Canada the Medical Director of British American who pas to consult with the Provincial Health Authorities about the problem. Ben was advised that this procedure might lead to complications and further Provincial control over such activities and that since Ethyl Corporation's activities in relation to tank cleaning had been on the whole successful that it would be inadvisable for British American to consult with the Provincial' Health Authorities because of the possibility of further Provincial regulations being imposed, Lester W. Sanders, M.D. KB 0017329