Document rpgpwG06ZzenBwQoD5bn0a4V

Mapeft"5.*' 1952 Dr. B * 3. Eckhardt . P-taniard Oil Comrany (Sew Jersey) pb Rockefeller Plaza IIcv Ecrk City 20 < ^ ' Bear Doctor Eckkardt: The enclosed rules were brought, to my attention "by Miss Ferriage at your request. I take it that you are interested in knowing--.whether or not I consider them to he necessary and a d e q u a t e a n d 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. T h e '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 nort-fom. of the* day.,., the loss of EEL to, the atmosphere' is minute.and hygienicalXy 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 vaporisation 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 t h e .beads of a large number of people, and indeed I have not tried too hard to do this, since I have no objection to excessive carefuliness, 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^Tepeated 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. Eckhardt - (2) - March- 5,. 1952- floors, table tops, etc., and by excellent housekeeping, as veil as by care in the conduct of the day's vork. ' lliis covers the situation generally. If there are any specific questions that have case up in the laboratory, 'do not hesitate to raise them. e can always assist in estatlishing the facts vith reference to the significance of any type of exposure to lEL'and andve regard it as a part of our normal responsibilities' to Ethyl .1-3 . >>=; - omers Uiot to mention its o w n e r s ; to do sp in connection with the handling'- of. more concentrated mixtures of TEL, ve have issued fairly elaborate instructions. Just in case you have not seen these> I enclose a copy for' such u s e as it may he to y o u . ith best regards. Sincerely yours, BAE ef Enc - Robert A. Eehoe, M. D. tf? 0020494