Document vr8j5Qv7Y1MaZG8DRkeqXDKE

Telephone MB 1965 368 C0LLIN3 STREET - MELBOURNE Cl Our Ref 14/F Your Ref ST/3/112 23rd July, 1947. The Associated Ethyl Co. Ltd., Artillery House,: Artillery Row, LONDON - S.W.l. | . Dear Sirs, ; . On IJuly 1st, I reported to you by cable, that two cases of T.E.L. poisoning had occurred, which were being treated by Dr. Blackburn in Sydney with satisfactory results at that time. . I had been hoping to send you a complete report on these cases before now, but Iwe have only just received word from Dr. Blackburn that the two men concerned are now out of danger and are convalescing. Full details are set out in the three attachments which are:- 1) Confidential letter from Mr. D. 3. Baldwin, Chief Engineer, The Commonwealth Oil Refineries Ltd. ' ' 2) Report from Dr. Blackburn. 3) Letter from Dr. Eeith Fairley. As;you will note from the letter from C.O.R., the Branch Engineer of that company | H r . 'N. S. Pan ton, overlooked the fact that there may have been lead in the sludge contained in these two tanks..,-' It is possible that the men obsorbed TEL from breathing gasoline vapour returning from the 44-gallon drum, to which the vent pipes were connected. This, however, is.unlikely as .neither.of the men complained of gasoline fumes, and furthermore, Mr. Panton had tested the tanks for the presence of gasoline vapours. It seems that the'fumes1 referred to by the men, were catually lead compounds volatilised from the sludge. In the opinion of our medical consultants, the outstanding feature of these two cases is, that the treatment with dimercaptopropanol (British anti Lewisite), appears to have saved the men's lives. This is the first occasion, as far as we know, on vhick BAL has been used in the treatment of TEL poisoning, K T 0021493 p i. ,,; /-? - 2- The Associated Ethvl Go. Ltd. 23rd July, 1947 and therefore its potentialities assume a very great importance in thi3 regard in relation to our own business and that of Ethyl Corporation. : The Commonwealth Oil Refineries Ltd. have ashed us to treat this whole matter confidentially, only disclosing to other concerns such information^ as is necessary'for their own protection. So far, we have given this'matter ' no publicity in any way, and insofar as other companies are concerned, all we 'I propose to do^- is to advise thera that there have been two cases of TEL poisoningi| as the result of entering underground storage tanks which have previously con tained lead treated aviation gasoline, and to dra\? their attention to the ab- ' solute nece: sity of observing the regulations which have been laid down. know that several of these companies here are strongly opposed to any person enter ing an underground storage tank for any purpose whatsoever. / 'iff : I feel that there is no need to comment any further on this - A accident at this stage, as no doubt your medical consultants will have a number of Questions! to put to Drs. Fairley and Blackburn by correspondence. ' :?' It is a very great relief to know that thesemen are now out of. h danger, and that they should be back at work within the next two or three weeks, i tf-R Yours sincerely, 'v Signed (J.E.BATCHELOR) Ends. K 0021494