Document x1XQpo8wX5DZNjBgeengbXn90

December 20, 1938 Dr* J# liamreacher Sourabaya Java Dear Doctor Haretaachor* I have received inf emotion from the London office of Ethyl Export Corporation to the effect that your services have been sought by representatives of the Asiatic Petroleum Company for the supervision of certain workmen oho will be engaged in raising Ethyl Fluid with gasoline at their Bandaran plant* It has appeared from various items of corresoondenc which have come to me that you have had a considerable anxiety concerning the dangers associated with this work. It seems advisable, therefore, that I ooramnicafee with you and give you the benefit of our experience in connection with this work, 'Shis letter will also serve as a confirmation of your appointment of this position* As the t%dical Director of Ethyl Export Corporation, I have been responsible for the approval of the equipment which has been developed for the mixing operations# I have also been responsi ble for regulations which have been concerned with the operation' of mixing equipment and with all other means of dealing with Ethyl Fluid and leaded gasoline# I am also in charge of the medical supervision of all mixing plants# In an entirely separate, capacity, I am director of a laboratory in the University of Cino^nnQti which is engaged in the study of occupational diseases and in this capacity I have directed ranch of the experi mental work which has had to do with th problem of handling Ethyl Fluid and the public health problem of the distribution of leaded gasoline# Accordingly I am sending you information in the form of reprints of a series of published articles which de*l both with the clinical phase of this matter and the experimental * I send you also a memorandum which was prepared for th benefit of consultants of Ethyl Export Corporation, in which th general policies of the Medical Department are set forth# I trust you will find those of interest end value 2 - ^ Briefly, with reference to the dativere of this occuration, it should be said that if the Mixing equipment is constructed properly and operated properly, there will be no danger whatever of lead poison* ing among the workmen* The mixing equipment te simple In design and easy to operate* The regulations are set up for the purpose of avoiding all exposure to lead compounds* Indeed the actual safety of these operations is so great that there has been no case of lead poisoning in connection with this work, nor has there been evidence of measurcable load absorption among the workmen* On might assume from this that there is no great need of medical supervision* This, however. In my opinion,is not the case* It-has ben my practice to use the medical exam!nations as a means of seeking out the slightest evidence of lead absorption* I have also instructed medical men to inspect mixing plants from time to time and to b on th alert to discover any evidence that th regulations are not being adequately carried out* By this double means of examination of the men and supervision of the equipment, I have expected to maintain precise and accurate operations, with the full confidence that if such precision wore ctotalnod, there could be no cases of poisoning* Our experience ha3 shown us that quarterly exam* tm tions of the men and quarterly inspections of the mixing plants ar quite adequate in main tain lug the care which la necessary* I do not believe, therefor, that yon will find It necessary to examine the men mare frequently th*n this, nor do I think you need bo unduly alarmed about the dangers to the men* I would appreciate it very much If you would communicate With me from time to time, letting me know of any difficulties.,which may arise in connection with your work in this field. For ny part I will keep you supplied with further Information as it develops so that you may be aware of any new factors* In this connection I should, perhaps. Invite your special attention to the problem of the cleaning of tanks which have been used for mixing and storing loaded gasoline, X shall not go Into the details of this problem at this time since the whole matter la under study, and since we shall soon be In position to Issue a publication on it* However th regulations which we have designed for preventing danger to workman in this type of work ar very necessary and should b put into ffoct* On of the articles which I am sending you makes some mention of tails problem and defines briefly the origin of th lead exposure* It Is necessary to recognise that In this 001346b exposure we <3 not fear chronic lead poisoning but rather an acute typo of cerebral Intoxication which is so dramatic clinically, and which la so serious from the point of view of outcome* with be:.;t wishes for the success of your work, I am Sincerely yours, a K j is cc Dr. de Priesfcer Ito^er 'ke&oe