Document xkKJgYX070dJjBdx9Q8aB4mg

May 51, 1949 Dr. A. S. Cbaimov, San Francisco Polyclinic Hospital, 1555 Jackson Street, San Francisco, California-, Dear Doctor Cbaimov j It lias been reported to me by indirect means tbroi^i^n^oft he el 1 companies that a patient of yours, named is developing or has developed 'blindness, presumably due to optic atrophy, and that this has been attributed somewhat tentatively to ,occupational exposure to lead in connection with the cleaning of 'gasoline storage tanks * I am more than a little Interested in this natter, since ny associates and I in this Laboratory have been following the problems associated with the use and distribution of leaded gasoline for many years. I will give you my general reaction to this situation, but for present purposes, the primary matter of importance is that of determining whether or not this man lias had any significant exposure to lead compounds, and whether at tills time he shows any evidence of abnormal lead absorption. Inasmuch as there may be medico-legal matters at issue here, you may or may not wish to provide me with information concerning the case, but if you can do so, I should be very grateful, and I should also be pleased to comment on the situation or to give you any assistance that may be possible. Specifically, if you wish it, I should be glad to send you containers with instructions for the collection of samples of blood and urine for analysis so as to determine whether there is any abnormality with reference to the absorption at this time. 'Jith reference to our experience, I should point out to you that the lead exposure associated with the cleaning of gasoline storage tanks, if such occurs, is a matter of absorption of tetraethyl lead or its organic decomposition products. The clinical picture of such lead absorption is quite different from that associated with the absorp tion of inorganic lead compounds, and I think you should know that peripheral neuritis, including lesions of the optic nerve, lias never been seen in this disease. We have seen well over- 100 cases of lead poisoning of this type, and we have followed the personnel in the manufacturing and other activities of this industry since 1926. Poisoning is always expressed by acute irritation of the central nervous system, with mental disturbances! as the only important clinical picture. Chronic lead poisoning of the ordinary variety , does hot Occur, even under the conditions of prolonged exposure of low or- anoderate severity. Because of our experience I should regard it as miosf remarkable if a lesion of this kind were to develop on such a background. I should also point out, that the lead exposure associated with tire cleaning of gasoline storage tanks can be, and has been, successfully avoided by the use of proper precautions. Dr. A. S. Chalaov, San Francisco Polyclinic Hospital - (s) May 31, 1949 O'd v ously ! do not know of the precise procedures followed by this man., tut I ia&y be privileged to doubt that his work was done in the aIss'eneeraf such .precautions. Obviousl^y, this ex^press__io__n o__f op__in__i_on leaves me entirely trilling to examine the facts without prejudice, for if this nan has had exposure, I should be very happy to aid in establishing such a fact. Cordially yours. ..\SL of C -C .: Dr. S . L. Rankin aobert ATHehoel-i ". 'D ,J HE 0017271