Document 6bpL37ZN2Eg9d41R0Qq7mBYzg

Au t o -Lit e Ba t t e r y Co r p o r a t io n VINCENNES DIVISION VINCENITE S, INDIANA October 14th, 1949 Dr. Robert A. Kehoe, Director Kettering Laboratory of Applied Physiology Cincinnati, Ohio Dear Dr. Kehoe: Perhaps you will remember my visiting your Laboratory last spring when you were kind enough to give me an interview or consultation in regard to lead hazards in battery plants. We recently acquired an electrostatic precipatator for the collection of air samples in the plant. The few samples that we have run so far, we have run simultaneously with a sample obtained by the impinger method of coll ection. Of course, the electrostatic samples are comparatively higher than the impinger method showing about a 90$ increase. " This is particularly true in collecting in departments where one might expect lead fumes. In'your report on Occupational Lead Exposure and Lead Poisoning published in 1943 by the American Public Health Association, on Page 17 your discussion of Safe Limit of an Occupational Lead Exposure, you state that "When the air of wopfk rooms regularly contains not more than 1.5 mg. of lead per 10 cu. m. of air as measured by standard methods", I would like to know what the standard methods were in determining this level. It seems to me that if the impinger type method was used to arrive at this figure, that if an electrostatic precipatator had been used, it may have collected more lead from the atmospheres that were tested to arrive at the above conclusion. Please let me know if the standard methods referred to used the impinger type or the electrostatic precipatator to collect the air samples. I might say, we have been exceedingly fortunate in not having any clinically apparent cases of lead absorption or lead poisoning since our initial outbreak right after the plant was opehed. I am trying to have air analyses done and make suggestions where indicated to try to keep the lead concentration respectably low. The electrostatic precipatator however, is evidenly much more efficient in collecting.the lead from the atmosphere and the values of lead in the air are relatively high since using the precipatator. I want to thank you again for your kindness and trust that you are enjoying good health. Sincerely yours. N21254