Document pmxDw6GzEOrxXoNbVmMD3gmRB

Mapeft "5.*' 1952 Dr. B * 3. Bekhardt standard Oil Company pb Rockefeller Plaza II ev Xcrk City JO (Hew Jersey) Bear Doctor Eclchardt s The enclosed rules were brought, to my attention by Miss Forxlage at','your request. I take it that you are interested in knowingwhether or: not I consider them to be necessary and adequate-dand I am glad to comment on them. Generally sneaking, the problem of handling leaded gasoline (automobile"and aeroplane) In laboratories is not very signifi cant from the aspect of lead absorption. The only routine tests which we have been concerned about in any way are distillations (Engier and other) 'under circumstances in which .they are carried out- in large number so as to involve a fairly regular occupation for one or more individuals. The quantity or tetraethyl, lead involved in an individual test of this sort is small, and unless a series of exposures of this type continue over a very consider able uortfon of the* day.,,, the loss of BEL to, the atmosphere- is minute.and hygienically insignificant. When this work is sub stantially continuous there should be ventilatory control of the atmosphere of the laboratory and,therefore, protection of the personnel against steady accumulation of small quantities of TEL daily. The primary reason for this is that the last residue in the flask contains a very large proportion of the lead content of the original sample, and, therefore it has a high concentration of lead- which is dangerous, except for its small volume, with respect to the differential vaporization and percutaneous absorbability of the TEL. Contact of the skin with leaded gasoline results in no measurable percutaneous absorption, of;lead. It-hap.been practically impos sible to get this fact through the.heads of a large number of people, and indeed I have not tried too hard to do this, since I have no objection to excessive carefullness. Actually some apprehension in this regard leads to mere respect for gasoline and for avoidance of contact dermatitis (gasoline) and sensitization (gasoline). The latter is rare but it* is an awful nuisance (or worse) when it occurs. Moreover, care against spillage of gasoline is a further safeguard against unnecessary inhalation^of the vapors of both gasoline and TEL. There is also the problem^frepeated contamination of floors, table tops, etc. with lead-containing com pounds and the possibility that some residue of TEL remains as a source of prolonged contamination of the atmosphere of the labora tory. This is not a very serious- problem in most laboratories, but. it should be avoided by. dare in, the. choice of materials for Dr. R. B. Eckhar&t - (2) ~ March- 5* 1952- floors , table tops, etc., and by excellent housekeeping, as veil as by care in the conduct of the day's work. fills covers the situation generally. If there are any specific quesirons caat up in the laboratory, 'do not hesitate to raise' them. e can always assist in establishing the facts with ** 3T * * C* i"l r\ p to the significance of any type of exposure to lEL-and ve regard it as a part of our formal responsibilities' to Ethyl and Its customers (not to mention its owners')- to do so. In connection with the handling- of. more concentrated mixtures of TEL, we have issued fairly elaborate instructions. Just in case you have not seen these, 1 enclose a copy for'such useas it may he to you. Vita best regards. Sincerely yours, .AK nc - Robert A. Eehoe, M. I). 0020494