Document xZzXqr11a1LJ8g1kJK98GXZJ

July 2, 1923 Mr. H, H. Tewettson, J3eacon Oil Company, Boston (Everett), Mass, Bear Mr. ITewettson: The -york which has been done on aluminum In the past few years has brought about a considerable amount of controversy aa to whether there are really any remarkable poisonous qualities In this metal when absorbed in moderate quantities* My own opinion from the data, is that it is not very toxic and that there is not very much danger in handling it with reasonable precautions. It is certainly not to be regarded as dangerous in the same sense or to the sane degree that lead is dangerous. However,, this does not mean that it is not advisable to take certain precautions in hand ling aluminium paints. My experience leads me to believe that the solvents in which the aluminum is suspended are more dangerous than the aluminum, and there have been here and there very defi nite difficulties in the use of paints of this kind in which the solvent 13 butyl or amyl acetate. The immediate effects of the inhalation of these solvents produce dizziness, nausea, and loss of appetite. After some exposure to them there is a decided tendency |*or the individual to become acclimated so that he can stanci without apparent injury much higher concentrations than could be7 borne at first. It is not well, however, for persons to regularly inhale considerable quantities of these solvents over long periods of time. The easiost way to avoid the inhalation of any large quantities of these materials in paint spraying is to do the spraying in a ventilated 'booth. In one of our plants we are spraying drums regularly with aluminium paint by putting the drum in a booth,the front side of which is open, with ventila ting fans carrying av/ay the vapors from the back side. Such a booth is fairly easily-arranged and is not expensive itself, the principal item of expense being the use of a fairly high speed blower. Such a booth is better than the use of an air mask, for the reason that skin contact with the vapors allows some degree of absorption of the materials through the skin. My bast advice, therefore, in the use of aluminum and other metal paints, and certainly in the case of zinc, is to con struct and use such a booth which will protect workmen adequate ly from both the -metal and the vapors of the solvent. The air mask may be used with fairly satisfactory results, but I do not believe that for long periods of more or less continual painting it will be found to be entirely satisfactory. IV22366 if2 - II. H.: Jewetts on - July 2, 1928 I trust that the above will supply to some degree the Information that you are in need of, but I shall be glad to give you any further assistance that is possible, on'request* Very truly yours. jTi i til J 01 017