MOTOR SPIRIT RISK.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 27 March 1928, Page 5

MOTOR SPIRIT RISK.

TETRAETHYL OF LEAD. SCARE AROUSED AT HOME. LONDON, March 1. The introduction of an American brand of motor spirit, containing tetraethyl of lead, which, to Lord Buckmaster, who brought the matter up in the House of Lords today was regarded during the war. as a means of disseminating more eeitain death than any other poison the British Army possessed, has produced “a terrifying prospect m London s packed- streets.” It is claimed +kat the ingredient enables motor-cars to take gradients more easily, and also prevents “engine pinking.’ 5 But anxious questions in -both Houses of 1 arliament- revealed grave fears that a deadlv form of lead-poisoning would attend its extended use. Accordingly, the Government has promised an inquiry into its possible dangers The {Marquess of Salisbury, Leader of the House of Lords, in announcing this decision, pointed out- that ethyl was- not manufactured in Britain, lmt was on-lv blended, admittedly , with serious risks, but there was no case of poisoning so far. . . The advocates of investigation quoted recent observations of British scientists to the effect that if the new mixture were splashed on the- skin, the petrol would rapidly evaporate, leaving a film of lead, which would soon penetrate the body. It was not necessary for there to be an abrasion. Death resulting from ethyl poisoning was terrible, and akin to hydrophobia. The Daily Mail is carrying out independent investigations. The first, eon-ducted in the laboratory of the British Motor Manufacturer’s Association. showed that an. engine stored lead during idling periods. Heavier I discharges into the air•" may consequently be expected after a traffic block. It is recommended “thatmotorists using ethyl should he- surethat the joints of ‘ the exhaust- nine are thoroughly tight.”