Document np00vxaEzeKgDEYzwM6n49NrX

February X* 1933 Dr. Graham Edgar Ethyl Gasoline Corporation Chrysler Building New York City Row York Dear Doctor Edgars Pursuant to our conversation of last Thursday* in Detroit* I am' outlining the various points which seem important from the point of view of safety* In relation to the proposed us of tetraethyl lead in lubricating oils. I have previously indicated to; you. my Interest in certain, physical nnX toxicological propertie of the mixture of oil and tetraethyl lead* which must he subjected to xperlscntnX examination* namely - CD the rate of vaporisation of tetraethyl lead from oil at various. tem peraturos 3 and* (2) the extent of the skin absorption, of tetraethyl;load when diluted with lubricating dig {3) the rate of decomposition of tetraethyl load when mixtures of oil and tetraethyl load are subjected to us in motors. I have also raised the Question of the ultimate disposition of such oil as may be discarded after us. Regardless of the answers to these, questions certain hygienic problems, arise in connection with the preliminary experimental work which Wakefield proposes to undertake* and also in the future preparation of a product for market Any :stetho& of handling or, using tetraethyl lead must in influenced. fey a knowledge of its physiological behavior* and for this reason 1 am attaching to this letter two reprints which give the available facts as to the be havior of this compound* Particular attention should b called to three facts*-- (1) that the vapor pressure of tetraethyl lead* at ordinary temperatures Is such* that air saturated at such temperatures contains approximately 5 milligrams ..of, lend her literj a. concentration of tetraethyl lead which causes fell death of rabbits after two hours of continuous exposure} (2) that tetraethyl lead is absorbed directly through the unbroken skins (3) that when tetraethyl load Is absorbed Into the body at a rat which will not pro duce Immediate illness* it tends to accumlafe In the tissues and to produce chronic lead poisoning after the manner of other load co pounds. Safety* In any Instance* then* depends upon the avoidance of inhalation of the vapors* and the*prevention Kir 001554G N20518 .2- and the -handling of th material* Precautions in Preliminary Fxperiffiental Work Presumably undiluted tetraethyl load will be applied .in-, limited. amounts- is spall ..onCaipers* for ad fixture with oil* and for experimental tests in the -amis of technically trained personnel, 3ft lead as supplied should be delivered in unbroken psekagea to persons who should be Bird responsible for its disposition in such a way |hat^non^of U gets int^th@^^^s of u|mjtliorised^persjns. ^sianiTiat 1 on"*pri or" to* enitlxi a^ork* and 3hoi slV be fetr^tltyl. load may be'handled. with, complete safety in a properly constructed and ventilated hood* if precautions against skin contact are observed* Simple measuring devices* a-acli ms glass gm#imfc@a- ape more miitabl# for a -Laboratory scale ox pi|fi^e||i3E^s*;. 'fetp, 'are 'more complicated devices, which arc difficult .1# repair* 'tfaei care .shcM fee exercised agaiajat bringing about th exposure C#-. dlcnera* wash' boys*, janitors otic* in persdlttjing' fchea to ;liaip|a aPhtai^inafced. glass** wars*, apparatus* to clonn up spilled.mterial etc* All lal oratory operations s *ould be devise#with th@; asimsl degree of simplicity nnd closnllness* and all op&n or contaminated ccntaiiners ok apparatus should be: kept fa -a floods until they have been leaped "dr dfeherwisc disposed bf Except as oafperiiacnts say prove to the contrary* mixtures, of tetraethyl1 lead and oil should be handled as though they consist of pur tetraethyl lead*. Exposure to vapors* and contact of i he skip should be avoided* In the event of accidental akin contact with either tetraethyl lead or. aix tares, of the latter in of> * the skim should be thoroughly cleansed with suitable solvent. . kerosene is satisfactory for this purpose# Preeanttone in the Shtlament of tetraethyl lead* Amounts of tetraethyl lead of any Quantity must be transported in push a way that the safety of carriers and handlers is reasonably assured. Spillage In transit is fraught with significant difficulties* Therefore* packages must b prepared with dtjt regard for strength* avoidance of leakage* as of'disposition in vent of fire* accident or other m@r gency. Farther^ thj gin and character of the package* as well as th' state, of the eChtents* (i e whether in pure form*, or mixed with other ingredients) mat be determined by th means available for handling th material at th point of delivery* It my be that %hm means eventually- devised for mixing lead KB 0015547 2*.> oil will include suitable provisions for the handling of pur t*?aebhyl load Mt possibility of exposure to vapors * Or lb; $ay.b aflvlsabl. to Incorporate t@tra* ethyl, lead in sqm medium which. will obvi&fc..danger from its vappi^t^feion# in. any event*. these. :*^fcfce.rs should he determined In relation to the question of waK^aai safety* 2recau.bl.on.' if* Slqyicllim. Tetraethyl: head with ^tl* Safety, s^aqnrqs .In relation to fell# sfethods which may ultimately tatraatbyl lead and lubricating oil, cannot be laid dowtij in any dotail* 111: principle, such . measures !pa*pft: pri|'idO. fp|`':.bb0vlfisii:bfe|oiss 'Of "the potential hazards to the saullfjsb; soaiiibitl ss&fcer qf; persons * and for. the. avoidance of actual danger1 through, the us of simple tmA easily operated equipment* fh& p^raotm who carry out this wohk abound bo selected on the; basis of physical fitness* reliability and Willingness to . carry out the details of instructions* They should be under medical supervision, and; they should bo instructed in the avoidance of exposure* !LTb<sy should t^b Ivsv other oporttualttoa for ex posure to load no long aj they re employed In this work* In "enerail the opera'll0 ofj blending equl;.<mpnb should be guided by the precautions which hsfjv proven their effectiveness tn the mining, of Ethyl asollncl* To this end* the general rules arid regulations wh!oh 'apply [to the latter work nay bo moloyed as an example of nilat. should t provided Very truly yours* HAKilS He 0015548