Document 5LOaz0VZ58gdzGVXBNbnQg0Z0

M a r c h 25, 1951. CONFIDENTIAL Mr. M. L. Ernsberger Organic Chemicals Department E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company 7/ilmington 98 , Delaware Dear Dr. Ernsberger: I shall be glad to have you and Doctor Rankin visit us at your early convenience in order to discuss the program of experimentation which we are conducting. My reply to your letter of March 12th, in establishing a specific date, has been delayed because of a somewhat hasty trip to the Y7esfc Coast, which I was compelled to take. This would make the first date (April 1st), which you suggested, a hit too close for comfort, and as it happens I have an all-day meeting of another group on that day. April 6th would be a satisfactory date, ever. would the 15th, and if it meets your convenience the earlier date would be the most satisfactory. It :eems advisable to acquaint you in advance with a matter which I wish io D ini_ to your attention at the time of our meeting, since 7ou may wis: to cons'ult some of your associates about it in advance, or alto rn at ivel*r, ^".O,vU. ...ay vasn me so discuss is /:1th others of :four group, ave been very cautious in my discussion of this matter, and I should not sh to attract any attention to it more h a n may be necessary* The act is, however, that I am more than a 1 .ttle anxious about the development in the Los Angel3 area, and I believe that we are m danger of being presented with some questions which cannot be answered satisfactorily (i.e. in a manner to satisfy some of the people in Los Angeles). In the course of my last trip I looked into acme of these matters in a very discreet manner, and I think there can be no doubt that we must make some detailed observations as to the lead in the atmosphere, and the evidences of lead absorption on the part of some 'well- selected groups of exposed persons* It seems likely that some of your people are aware of this situation, as it may effect the use of tetraethyl lead, but I am convinced that we need to handle the situation with con siderable care. I wish therefore to confer with the appropriate people in your organization, and to male certain recommendations for action. Among these, I bolievo, we should accelerate the work we are doing in the Laboratory, and we have developed some plans toward that end# This, I believe, will not add materially to the eventual cost of what we have proposed to do, and indeed it may even lox?er the total cost, although t"hat not certain. However, it will accelerate the rate of expenditure considerably and get the job done sooner. It is particularly pertinent to the situation that we would be enabled to examine the effects of the K E 0003294 5kMr. M. L. Ernsberger - (2) - I.arch 20, 19 exposure of an individual (or individuals) fco the lead compounds that escape from the exhaust system of an automobile, and find their way into the breathing zone of persons. This will not be easy, but in some respects it is the major problem at issue, and we need to attack it as scon as possible. I considered it necessary for technical reasons, and v/ise for experimental reasons, to 3tudy a very finely divided material first* It is now in order tc study a material of larger particle size, and it -.7ill be necessary, eventually, to study a mixture of sizes for reasons which I won't go.Into here in detail, except to point out that this is the problem to be met in relation to the lead in exhaust gas. As it happens, I shall be in `.7liming ton for the dedication of the Haskell Laboratory on the 29th. That, I dare say, will not be the proper time to go into any of these matters, but I shall be there over night, and if you or any of yo*or associates feel that some preliminary discussion of this matter is in order, I could manage to make some time available for the purpose. I have go to Baltimore on the following aay, will not be time for .14U~ , 'u n l e s s seems desirable .at I return. In the afternoon to 17liming ten for that purpose, .3 a ve to your wishes. You can leave word for me at the Hotel Lx 7 C U wish tc get in touch with ne while I am there. shall be arriving there Monday morning and will be there on the evening of the 2 9 th. ' Cordially yours, RAXjvr RSF^xri^KSe;. 0003295