Document 6wNBde6JNkm5X21wG3X5jroo6

COPY F R A N C I S M . POTTENGER, JR., M .D . 609 North Canyon Boulevard Monrovia, California November 25 1953 Dr. K. V. Kitzmiller Dear Doctor Kitzmiller: I greatly appreciate your letter of November 17, 1953 which arrived in time for the meeting of our Smog Committee on November 19* I was very much i:nterested in reading the relative lead concentrations in the group o.f individuals who have worked at the Ethyl Terminal In Wilmington and especially the fact that they had worked there for over five years One of the real concerns of our Committee Is this: We have been told that betwee n 10 and 12 tons of lead are emitted daily in this area through the burning of tetraethyl in our fuels. It has been reported to us that there seem to be certain characteristics noted in individuals , particiilarly children, living along major highways on the windwar d side. There is no evidence, however, that this is a serious det riment to health, but cyanosis and other pigmentary changes are evident We are anx ious to know whether lead in toxic amounts are present in the atmosphere, particularly at street levels, during the congested traffic oeriods It would ce rtainly be a privilege to have the staff at Kettering Laboratory make such studies. As a Committee we are not in a position to finance such studies at this time. However, an over-all Committee in Los Ange les has recently been formed for the study of smog, con- sisting of a membership of 80 leading citizens, representing all branches of business, industry, professions, and home owners. I am sure such studies as you would make would be of interest to this group, Our Committ ee by vote at the meeting of November 19 , asked me to report thes e facts to you and that they would be very glad to refer to the Researc h Committee of the Los Angeles County Medical Association a request for sufficient funds to support your work. Conies of the analyses will be forwarded to you at once. Sincerely, N6168 FMP/rc /s/ Francis M. Pottenger, Jr., M.D. Chairman, Smog Committee . Los Angeles County Medical Assoc. November 1?, 1953 Dr. Francis M. fotfcongor, Jr. Chairman, urnog Conrilttoe 609 Worth Canyon Blvd. Monrovia, California Dear Doctci' hottengor: Dr. Hebert Kehoe is now out of the country and will not he back in the laboratory before December 5* I am aura that ho will want to answer your letter in detail aftor he returns, but inasmuch aa the next meeting of tho Association Smog Committee is on Thursday, Lovomber 19, 1 thought I might reply in part to your inquiry concerning studies of concentrations of lead in the Los Angelos atmospheres. I know of no studies of air pollution in the area that have been carried cut- by the Staff of Kettering Laboratory. However, I an sure that such studies could be made 0:1 invitation by your Committee. noAs to studies relating to concentrations of lead in the excreta of exposed individuals we have comprehensive information except for a small group of workers at the Ethyl Terminal in Wilmington, here analy ses of sarnies of their blood and urine are carried out periodical! 3 I enclose a series of these results for your information. It 3 apparent that the concentrations in both blood and urine fall well within the normal range and that there has boon no increase in concentration of lead in the urine or blood of any of these workers over a period of five years (19^-9-19i?3)* Sincerely yours, KVKrvr Enel. K. V. Ktsmillor, M.D. We would appreciate your returning the copies of these analyses when you have finished with them. KVK