Document qaBmXQ80pY22eqGE19bLrwyKn

Kettering -Laboratory of ,.... . Applied- Physiology College of Medicine Sdsn AvenueGindCnnsti? 19, Ohio oc/ Mass Fortlaga, 17 j/(sajae adcress as above) Septosher 30, 1943 Mr. Charles I. Baxter Coldbrook Post Office Saint John, M. B. Canada Bear Mr. Baxters lour letter of September 7th hag costs to ay attention and I aa glad to give you the infcreation which you request. Icu need not be concerned about any poisonous effects resulting from the handling of gasoline containing tetraethyl load or froa exposure to the vapor's given off by such gasoline under the ordinary conditions of handling. This taatter has been investigated carefully over a period of sany years during which no eases of poisoning or ox' other injurious effects have been found in the case of een who have handled the product daily. e have always advised that iaea-working ^ith this gasoline-.-should handle it with care aua should avoid contact, of their skin with it as far as possible, fhis is not so .such because of uny danger of leaa poisoning us because gasoline'- is injurious to the skin. Soae persons aeveiop. skin difiicutties which cause them a great deal of discomfort and inconvenience. There are very few such' casco, however, and in general, all that happens is that the skin of the hands, if bathed in gasoline frequently, becomes dry, scaly and often cracked. Under these conditions, skin infections are quite c o bs o b and sometimes are, difficult to treat. If you should be disturbed with such a condition at present, it would bo wise for you to see a doctor and obtain an ointaeht for the treatment of your skin. In addition, you should avoid contact with gasoline with great care regardless of whether or not it is gasoline containing lead. You mention the- matter of cleaning a tank. Therefore,- I should warn you that it is necessary to be.-quite careful to avoid exposure to gasoline in connection, with sach work. If the tank is a, snail one which does not have to be entered, the dangers sro slight. However, as you probably know, going inside a tank that has contained gasoline ia extremely dangerous since the gasoline vapors say produce drunKeaoeaa and unconsciousness. Under these conditions, there may also be sig nificant lead exposure and therefore the person entering the tank met bs pro tected by an airline mask against inhalation of either' gasoline or lend. I believe this covers the situation, but If there are any further questions that are disturbing you, I shall be pleased to answer the. 0016243 Very truly yours, E. A. Kehoe,