Document v20r7a2van6jJrm29Gn7Yg06

April 3, 1941 Mr. 0. B. Levis, Bear Oscar, Pan American Airways Safety____ This will supplement our letter of March 27th and telegram of March 2Sth on the subject of the investigation of the deposits occurring in the aviation gasoline stored for use by the Pan American Airways. As was reported in ray telegram, Br. Kitzrailler arrived in Miami on Friday March 28th and was given the complete story of what had transpired up until that time. He was given an opportunity to visit the tank repair room so that he could observe the working con ditions as well as the actual circumstances under which the men might be exposed to the deposits which settle out from the gasoline. He was also given opportunity to inspect the laboratory where consider able handling of the deposits frora the gasoline has taken place. Two of the chamois filters which had been used at one of the fueling points couth of Miami for removing the deposits from the gasoline before it vent into the tanks on the plana?, were available in the laboratory for I)r. Kitzrailler to see and study. As reported to you before, as soon as these filters were exposed, sneezing was experienced by the persons making the inspection. It was Dr. Kitzrailler's opinion that the strong biting odor that was extremely noticeable in these deposits came from tri-ethyl lead salts and that this same material in a dust fora was responsible for the membranous irritation that had been re ported for the men who were exposed. It was reported to us that their flight mechanic* Mr. Carrin, who had brought these chamois fil ters from the fueling point in South America to Miami, had experienced nose bleeding throughout the night following his return to Miami with them* This was the only case reported where severe membranous irrita tion or the results of severe irritation persisted for any length of time after the exposure ceased*. However, the men in the tank shop did experience head and joint aching and shortness of breath which would persist for varying lengths of time after leaving work* A conference was hold Friday, March 28th in the office of Mr. Tooraey, Assistant Division Manager and Division Engineer for Pan American Airways, Eastern Division, which was attended by the following* Mr. Toomeyj Mr. Farnham, Assistant Division Engineer, Pan. American KF 0021187 Hr* 0* B Lewie, April 3, 1941 Page 2 Airwaysi Dr. McDonald, Medical Director, Pan American Mmysj Dr. Bell, Assistant to the Medical Director, Pan American Airways; Dr* Xitzmiller, Ethyl Gasoline Corporation; Mr* Phipps* Safety Engineer, Ethyl Gasoline Corporation; and Mr. Kosser, Ethyl Gasoline Corporation. During this conference the technical aspects of the problem were discussed briefly in order that everyone present might have a clear picture of everything that had transpired, and the health angle was discussed at length and at great detail. This was the first time that Dr. McDonald had been in on one of the discussions although every one else was somewhat familiar with most of the details. From a health and safety standpoint, the problems were* 1. .Examination of personnel previously exposed; 2* Preventing further exposure at points where this was known to exist previously; and 3. Cleaning of storage facilities and disposal of deposits without expos ure to the personnel handling this work* As previously reported to you, wo have, throughout our activ ities with Pan American Airways, attempted to maintain a policy that would create as little disturbance and draw a minimum attention on the part of the working personnel in the Pan American Airways organisation to the health problem involved, and all discussions were hold primarily with department heads. In furtherance of this policy. Dr. Eitrmiller, during the conference, stated that he felt that physical examination for the men in the tank shop could be carried out as a part of a pro gram of periodic routine physical inspection,by the Pan American Airways doctors, which is being instituted throughout this organisation, at the present time. However, it was felt best that specimens from those ex posed be obtained and sent to Cincinnati for lead analysis, and arrange ments were made whereby containers would be shipped to Miami by Dr* Eitsmillsr for this purpose* It was Dr. Kitemiller'c feeling, that while exposure had occurred, it was evident that it was not of a cur rently serious nature, since all of the men involved had continued at their jobs, and therefore a slight delay in completing physical examin ations could not be considered negligent nor dangerous to the health of those men* However, it was learned that on Saturday, Dr. Bell examined Mr.who hod reported the most pronounced ef fects from the exposure, and whose work had been confined entirely to cleaning and working with the fuel tanks from the ship* Examinations of the other men working in the tank shop werw to be made tho following week'* In further support of this decision by pr* Kitsmiller was the fact that a pressure spray, composed of a mixture of kerosene and light lubricating oil* had been used to wet the tanks to be worked on in or der to keep down any dry deposits and dust materials that would likely be blown into the air* Instructions for following this procedure were issued on March 5th* and the symptoms whioh had previously been noted, especially tho sneezing* had been reduced to a point where it was prac tically eliminated* Prior to Dr. Kitsmiller,s arrival* it had boon learned that Ethyl Fluid was being used in the laboratory in connection with the XE 0021188 Mr. 0. B. Lewis, April 3, 1941 Page 3 knock testing work, and therefore it was in order for Dr* Kit mi Her to examine these men, in accordance with, our policy of periodic check up on men who are engaged in this type of activity* Dr. Kit miller felt that this should be done while he was in 13.ami and arrangements were made to examine the laboratoiy neon on Saturday. The second point involving prevention of future exposure was discussed thoroughly and brought out throe distinct possibilities where this sight occur* These points were* 1* Laboratory; 2. The tank repair shop; and S* The fueling stations and storage facilities, and in the use of chamois filtors for removing the deposits before the fuel is put: into the plane tank* It was recommended that future filtering of the deposits from the gasoline in the laboratory be eliminated as much as .possible* Where this is necessary. It was recommended that gloves be used by the persons handling the gasoline and the deposits, and that this work be carried out in a hood, and the filters immediate ly destroyed* Examination of a number of tanks recently removed from planes, and also sumps removed from the tanks of planreasurrontly in operation, showed comparatively small amounts of the deposits shoving up in the plane tanks at the present. It ms felt that the precautions which are being used, that is, pressure spray for settling any dry material while these units are being vtorked on, are adequate until disposal of the contaminated stocks is completed. In the handling of the chamois filters at the fueling points in the field. Dr. Kit&miller felt that rinsing thoroughly three or four times in clear naptha would clear these filters of dangerous materials so that it would be possible to continue to use them. This, of course, is to bo done every time the filter is used to remove the deposits from the gasoline while the planes are being fueled. The matter of* deposits in storage facilities was handled in tho discussion of plans for cleaning the tankage in the field, and this matter was the subject for a further conference on ifonday, L reh 31st* In trying to work out a program and procedure for disposing of the deposits which had accumulated in storage facilities, it ms agreed that it would be desirable to have information on tho actual physical setup of these storage facilities before making definite re- commendations. Bhile most gasoline storage is maintained in drums, there are several points where underground storage tanks of approxi mately 1000 gallon capacity are maintained* The radio was mse'd :to: to obtain all information possible concerning; those underground storage facilities. \ By Monday, information was available to the extent that there would not be more than five points where there might be tank cleaning activities required* On this basis, general recommendations were made, which wore primarily the "Precautions For Hen Entering Tanks That Have Contained Leaded Gasoline", as well as information concerning specific /< 002118-9 Hr* OiB. Lewis, April 3, 1341 Page 4 teatter that might be encountered due to local conditions. \ It was finally determined that W. H. Phipps, our Safety engi neer, would attend one tank cleaning at the nearest point, to Miami, -which would be Anti11a, Cuba, with Mr. Garrison, Assistant Manager of the Con trol Laboratory. This would serve two purposes, first, Kr. Phipps would provide Mr, Garrison with firsthand experience and training in handling this activity, so that ho would be in a position to carry on safely at the other fueling points where tide work would be required. Second, as a result of the experience gained on this on job, and the information and general recommendations that had been covered in our conference, final instructions would be made up which would include our "Precautions For Men Entering Tanks That Have Contained Leaded Gasoline" that would be sent to the other divisions of Pan American Airways where this sae condition ex ists, and tank cleaning would be required* *5r. Phipps remained in Miami for th purpose of attending this first cleaning, but he subsequently reported that later information devel oped the fact that the tank at Anti11a would be the only one that would have to be cleaned. Fan American. Airways, in chocking thsir records, found that this particular tank had been in service for quite a long time, and in view of this, decided to install new storage facilities rather than attempt to clean the old* There mil be no tank cleaning required in the Eastern Division of Fan American Airways under the Hiami Division office, which includes the lines operated from Miami to Barranqni11a, the West Indies, and down th east coast of South America to Para, Brazil. Ths other divisions of this company operating in Mexico, Central America and the west coast of South America, and th east coast of South America from Para to the south tip, will necessarily require information for handling this condition in that territory where stocks of this same fuel have been stored. However, it la felt that the information and recommendations which wore provided the officials in Miami, if followed, will be satisfactory for handling these activities in the other divisions, be have also assured the people in Miami that w are glad to cooperate with them to any extent, and would bo glad to have them call on us for any additional information and assistance. It should bo mentioned that the two chamois filters which wohe inspected in Kiami have been sent to Dr. Kehoe in Cincinnati along with a sample of the gasoline containing the deposits under question. It is ay understanding that the Texas Company is taking stops to regain all of the gasoline that was delivered to Fan American Airways with the lecithin inhibitor, and whioh is still in storage at their vari ous fueling points, and this will be replaced with fuel containing BOP Ho.4 inhibitor* It, of course, is not known what means will be used to clean the drums In wldch this fuel has been stored and in which it will undoubted ly be returned to the refinery at Port Arthur or| to one of their terminal points, nor what disposition will bo made of th deposits that come from these drums, and I am wondering if it would not be desirable to check this with the Texas Company* Very truly youris. A'f 0021190 f-- George P. Rosser, F.S* Please note the attached report on laboratory hood*