Document 2qkKEXRv4ZN5QrkegOONd6Yrp

October 11, 1967 CONFIDENTIAL H. E. Stokinger, Ph.D. U.S. Public Health Service 1014 Broadway Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Dear Herb: I enclose herewith my dues as a member of the Local Section of S.E.B.M. I write, however, about a very different matter. A few years ago, tetraethyllead was added to the list of compounds to which a TLV was assigned, and now, the same value has been assigned to tetramethyllead. Neither of these values has been documented by either experiment or experience, and neither is valid. Both should be summarily discarded from the list. In order to make my position clear, let me say that no man nor group of men has ever been subjected to either of these compounds in the atmospheric concentration indicated, for even one week, much less for prolonged periods of time. The embarrassing aspect of this situation lies in the fact that it was made possible, by some of our own people, who did not take the trouble to find out,or who failed to give serious thought to how the present operating standards in the industry were initiated, nor how they are being employed. Unfortunately and unwisely, I was not consulted, and the deed was done before I could head it off. I have hesitated to take action on this matter, for several reasons, but I have become more and more distressed by it as I have considered its potential significance. I am now determined, for very good hygienic reasons, to inveigh against it, and to get it out of use. I'd prefer to do this with the least possible fanfare, and I'd appreciate your suggestions as to how it can best be done. A publicized move could well militate against the whole procedure and purpose of standard-setting activities, and I distinctly do not want to be responsible for such an effect. If you think this worthy of further discussion, I'll be glad to suggest a luncheon meeting with you soon at the Queen City Club. If on the other hand, you believe that some more formal procedure should be initiated, I'll be glad to have your suggestion. Let me say one further thing, which may convince you that this matter requires reconsideration. I would not take the risk of subjecting a group of men to working conditions represented by this atmospheric standard for any reason whatever, and yet this level is being adopted on a world-wide basis, and I have little doubt that it will be applied literally by someone, sometime as being authoritative. It is not so applied in any part of the industry at present. Sincerely yours, K& 0uV4i7 RAK:wp Robert A. Kehoe, M.D. Professor Emeritus of