TETRAETHYL LEAD, "ETHYL" ANTI-KNOCK COMPOUNDS OR SOLUTIONS OF THESE PRODUCTS THE ASSOCIATED ETHYL COMPANY LIMITED, LONDON Memorandum on the Decontamination of Materials which have come in contact with Tetraethyl Lead, "ETHYL" Anti-Knock Compounds or Solutions of these Products INTRODUCTION t h e d is p o s a l of spilled tetraethyl lead or "Ethyl" anti-knock compound is a serious problem which involves immediate hazard to those who undertake the task of disposal, and to others who may be near at hand.

A further decomposition takes place as shown by the fact that within about 1^ days of the administration of a sublethal dose the distribution of lead in the tissue corresponds to that of water soluble lead compounds rather than to that characteristic of tetraethyl lead.

Ho lead is lost in the

Ho lead i

Our observations in this country have demonstrated that this is the case among our workmen at this job, and unless there is some serious defect in the procedure of tetraethyl/lead, is quite different than with which would obtain if the.same quantity of inorganic lead were absorbed in the same time In other words the relationship between lead concentration in the blood and that in the urine is quite different When tetraethyl lead is being absorbed.

Stationary sources included in the study are primary and secondary lead smelters, a primary lead refinery, battery plants and the only remaining tetraethyl lead production plant.

Ilei3 because of the presence of Ethyl fluid or tetraethyl lead been responsible for the poisoning or injury of any human being, and our experience definitely leads us to the opin ion that this amount cf dilution in gasoline has no more affect by inhalation or absorption than has that of the general run-of-mine gasoline.

I must say* however, that I feel1the importance of getting this information into scientific literature* It is of the utmost consequence that real data he available for scientific men as to the extent of absorption of tetra ethyl lead and as to the extent, In consequence, of the hazard arising from the handling of compounds containing tetraethyl lead.

At present, however, I insist upon having samples of blood for analysis in all cases of childhood lead poisoning, and in all cases of lead poisoning in the adult, except those rare cases of tetraethyl lead poisoning which occur under highly unusual or accidental cir cumstances (when tetraethyl lead is absorbed, the blood level increases little or none, apparently because the intermediate compounds resultant upon the de- ' composition of the molecule in the tissues are r.ot capable of combining with the component of the crytlirocyte that is involved when inorganic lead compounds are absorbed).

We have made a very elaborate study of this pro blem, which I can not go into in detail in this letter, but under certain circumstances, which are not predictable, considra ble quantities of decomposition products of tetraethyl lead, to gether with snail quantities of tetraethyl lead itself, accumu late under the water layer in the bottom of these tanks.

Do we have sufficient capacity to take care of our customers for a period of several years in the event that the metallic lead situa tion would improve and tetraethyl lead would be on an unrestricted basis of distribution?

") ` I I 1 I I S S E T H: WHEREAS, the UNIVERSITY has an organized research unit which has had broad experience in hygienic problems relating to tetraethyl lead and other chemical products associated with tetraethyl lead for use in motor fuels; and WHEREAS, DU PONT desires to avail itself of professional advice and guidance in the aforesaid hygienic matters, and also wishes to have the UNIVERSITY render to it analytical and other Investigative and diagnostic services; and WHEREAS, the UNIVERSITY has facilities for and is viiling to render these services to DU PONT; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual convenants and agreements herein contained the parties agree as follows: 1 ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE: (A) To the extent mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto from time to time, the UNIVERSITY shall give DU PONT advice and assistance and shall conduct investigations on hygienic problems relating to tetraethyl lead and other chemical products associated therewith for use in motor fuel3. .

I trust you will not have the opportunity of seeing any cases of tetraethyl lead poisoning.

I trust you will not have the opportunity of seeing any cases of tetraethyl lead poisoning.

I trust you will not have the opportunity of seeing any cases of tetraethyl lead poisoning.