Document oymGbO9w3Y0oxaOJ0EyYXKq8

January l6 , 19*10 Mr. H, Fossett The Associated Ethyl Company Ltd. Thames House,:/Millbank ' London, S. W. 1 England - Dear Mr. Fossett:- I shall try to reply to various matters that come up In your letters since the one dated Movember 1 3 th. The Cleaning of Storage Tanks. The question of what equip ment should be used in the cleaning of storage tanks depends on two factors, one the potential exposure to gasoline vapors, the other the possible exposure to lead compounds. 1 think It can be accepted as standard practice in-refineries -that are operated carefully, that no man should enter a gasoline storage tank without an air-line mask. This provision exists because it is so difficult to determine when safe conditions exist with respect to gasoline:exposure. It is for this reason that we have been unwilling to permit the use of ordinary canister masks. These, of course, would prevent significant exposure to lead dusts which might arise from the cleaning, and scraping of the sides of the tanks that have been per mitted to dry. There is, of course, an additional reason for the avoidance of canister masks in enclosed places, for although canister masks may purify* the air, they can not provide the oxygen which is necessary to sustain life. Tikis If sen enter into a space which is filled with gasoline vapors to the exclusion of air, they will ale of oxygen want. Accordingly we believe that the .regulations for the use of air-line masks should be extended to all work which involves eiitering into a tank. I am a little uncertain as to the situation to which you called attention, or to which Thehault called attention. I assume that there was a plentiful supply of air on top of the roof of this tank. If this was the case, presumably the men were exposed only to dusts, if any were present, or possibly to gasoline vapors In some unknown con centration. The use of equipment of the type described by Thenauit would, I think, be unsatisfactory since it would be 2- - better in this instance to use a mask with a tight face piece which could not leak. In any case I think it would be wiser to us air--line masks since a charcoal canister can be flooded with gasoline vapors rather quickly- if the vapors are in high concentration. '' Cleaning of. Royal Air Force Storage Tanka. , The cleaning of tanks used by the Air Force is a problem which should be dealt with bv them* x believe, after being given the Informetion necessary to acquaint ohem with the dangers. There are, we believe* no dangers from exposure to lead in connection with these tanks which have never been used for blending, unless there should be moderate to considerable quantities, of scale on the aides of the tahks which they attempt to remove by scraping or brushing. There danger will be primarily, of course, from the gaspl,Ine vapors. It would appear to me that If they provide against these dangers adequately, they will also secure themselves against any danger from the lead compounds. I should h Interested, In knowing uhat thi3? pj*ooeduces arc for cleaning these tanks. This matter has not been brought to our attention by the United States Army Air C o m a since they have chosen,to handle this matter In accordance with their own Judgment. ! am npt in position, therefore, to believe that In a fei* isolated instances, the V ur Iaen ilar= been asked In cleaning certain 0j- trnne. ,e have considered it wise to apply our in 30 J*ar ns it :Lc f:. ible, to all storage tanks vfic- contain gasoline, it Is our belief that every oar ' enouio oe^ taken -gainst unnecessary akin contact and that tnece .nnxE ahoulu not be entered AnSa wlthbit for air-line masks, b'c find that of such tanka are not cleaned for lopg ppi*; Ue also find that In anny instnnoes v;he#i;llhil at ail but ere flushedjpg _ y are not entered . Obviously we en courage the latter practice a 3 much rs pq . .vl may say in conclusion on this point, that whorilflih:^;vlhstored in tanks of small to moderate size wIShouj ny water bottom* we have no fear of anyaioonaiaarafeli.Hsuh!^ity of lead compounds in the sediment,. lending Plant.- Consolidated Ttefinerles, Ltd. Haifa. Your letter concerning the medical 2fJ?hia plant surprised me greatly In that it the UBe of our oonsltant Dr. Thompson had been Ignored. As you are probably aware, It has been my purpose !? *s$ the m0?io^* supervision of these plants In the S S S a of as few people as possible* and to give our consultant's t-h responsibility,in fllrest opA n l o a t l o n v,?ih ou?s"lves! ^ r the k, Tully expresses the situation very well, and 1 ara confirming your judgment by writing a note to Hr, Tully,.a copy of which I am enclosing. However I shall write to Dr, de Dniester stating the fact that if the men do their vrorh properly, there should be no lead exposure. If after this letter, he still wishes to make analyses once per year, I think we should go along with him provided we can be certain that the analyses are properly done,. Concerning Dr, V/hlshaw in Tasmania , I am quite willing to approve Dr, Fairleys suggestion that he delegate the work in Tasmania to Dr, Whlskaw. Accordingly 2 am writing to Mr, Tully, approving this arrangement, and 1 enclose a copy of ny letter to this end. However I shall write to Dr, Fairley directly, approving this suggestion, and X shall make him responsible for D*. V/hlshaw Just as I have done in the case of Dr. Hunt and Dr, Slppe, . Very truly yours. EAKjls -. . Rober't A. Kehoe, M .D, KS 0015321