Document oD7LvZN4GLV3p0KZvoX7q60LD

June 2$, 194$ Special Examination - Tank Cleaners, Incorporated, P.0. Box 326 1, Jacksonville, Florida - Mr. L. E. Williams, Supt. E m p l o y e e :! I, age 24-, single - Race - American, English / Occupation - Field representative and foreman, Tank Cleaners, Incorporated, Jacksonville, Florida. Industrial History: Graduate in 194-2 - Technical High School, Dallas, Texas. Employed as an office worker hy the Otis Elevator Company, subsequently for two years. Inspector for North American Aviation Corporation, 1944-- 1947. With Tank Cleaners, Incorporated since May 1, 1943. Employed as a business solicitor. Previously had had 1$ months* experience with Case Company, tank cleaners (1947-194$). Acted as purchasing agent and assistant in tank-cleaning operations. Cleaned gasoline, fuel oil, and turpentine tanks. Approximately 50% of the tanks cleaned had contained leaded gasoline at some time. Current tank-cleaning operations were conducted by Tank Cleaners, Incorporated at the Cape Fear and Carolina Terminals, Wilmington, North Carolina. Beginning June 23, 194$, acted as foreman for the first time on this job, supervising the work of two experienced Negro workers, This crew cleaned .4 tanks, beginning Wednesday, June 23, and continuing through Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. / < 0 0 r 6 72.3 N 7660 - (2) No work was carried on on Sunday and the cleaning operations were resumed on Monday. Tank #211 (^0,000 barrels) and Tanks #1, #2 and A (12,000 barrels each) were cleaned during this period. Operator wore full protective equipment while cleaning the largo tank, but he was not observed closely while working in the tank, Respirators were not worn during the cleaning of Tanks #1, #2, and A. There was no available history of lead contamination with respect to these tanks. They had been out of service for the past 5 years and were presumed to have contained fuel oil, and kerosene. They had been empty for several years, except for the presence of a 12-inch water bottom in each tank. Late Monday afternoon (June 21, 19H-3), Nichol entered Tank A and became suspicious of lead contamination because of the presence of a peculiar odor arising from the sludge and water. Accordingly, he advised against further cleaning of this tank without the air-line respirator. No history of significant exposure to gasoline vapor or lead compounds during cleaning operations in the past Past Medical History? Health usually good. Measles, mumps, pertussis during childhood. Never had serious illness. Under physician's care in February 19^3 for treatment of stomach ulcer (X-ray, corrective diet). Asthmatic attacks during early childhood. Seemed to be less serious and eventually to disappear after 1^ years of age. Cause never determined. Food allergy suspected. Has occasional cold during winter. / Present Medical History: Did not feel well on Tuesday morning, June 220 Complained of dizziness and a sensation of lightheadedness, nausea, and diarrhea. Unable to sleep well Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights* Insomnia relieved by small doses of phnobarbital* Had unconnected, rather wild dreams at times, although the main theme seemed to concern the going and coming of buses. Diarrhea sub sided after one day* Nausea continued until Thursday* Had no vomiting attacks, no Jaundice or tarry stool. Decided to leave for Jacksonville to consult Dr. John Mitchell, Medical Advisor for Tank Cleaners, Incorporated, and made the bus trip to that city leaving Wilmington Wednesday morningo The trip was uneventful. Felt very much better Friday and quits well on Saturday, June 26. Continues to have slight difficulty in sleeping and occasional wild dreams* Appetite greatly improved* Bowels usually regular without medication* Ordinarily sleeps well without dreams. Appetite good although diet has been restricted because of presence of gastric ulcer* U.W* 140 pounds B.W* 1^5 pounds L.W. 13B pounds (19M-6) Physical Examination: Subject is alert, intelligent and cooperative, seems disturbed by recently past events, connected with tank cleaning operations in Wilmington, North Carolina* K 0 672 0 -w Ht 6jc5" Wt# IhO pounds P# o R. 20 Lymph Nodes; Superficial groups not enlarged* Skin: Normal# B.P# lio/o Ears: Soft cerumen in each canal, Ejres: Pupils equal, regular, react readily to light and on accommodation# External ocular movements normal# Nose: Slight enlargement of Inferior turbinate on right with edema and slight congestion of mucous membranes* Breathing space adequate Mouth and Throat: Tonsils not seen0 Mucoid postnasal discharge# Pharynx: Slightly granular# Teeth and Gums: In good condition. Chest: Lungs clear on percussion and auscultation# Hearo: R.S.D# 50 cm# R#C*D, 35 x $#5 cm# Sounds clear, regular, no murmurs# Exercise response normal# Abdomen: No masses, no organs palpable# Slight epigastric tendernesso Extremities: Normal form and function# No hernia, no external hemorrhoids# Neuromuscular - No sensory disturbance# Muscle power good# Wears glasses for myopia. No tremor. Romberg negative# Reflexes^ All superficial and deep reflexes hyperactive and equal# 5,3 ** 155 g# Blood and urine specimens taken for quantitative analyses# tfE 0006726 r Urine - 0o4-6 mg Pb per liter (Specific Gravity 1.027) Blood - Ooll rogo Pb per 100 g. (Spectrographic, Dithizone) Summary: History, if reliable, does not suggest the likeli hood of significant lead exposure except in connection with present work when the small tanks noted above were entered and when an hour or so was spent in assisting in cleaning Tank A, without wearing an air-line respirator. K.V. Kitzmiller, M.D. 0 0 GG i