Document 9LO0Y5wxGkLnoDge22Kydnoep

October 7, 1982 (conoco) Conoco Chemicals Company A Division ol Conoco inc. 15990 North Barker's Landing Road P.0- Box 19029 Houston, TX 77224 /t cJisk Mr. Bob Demsey Health Examinetics, Inc. 11545 Sorrento Valley Drive Suite 308 San Diego, CA 92121 Dear Bob: This letter is to assure that you are aware of the recent problems at Aberdeen. Briefly, the wrong blood sample containers were sent to the plant for use in obtaining blood leads. This problem was discovered after approximately 45 blood samples had been drawn and sent to MetPath for analysis. While the direct costs resulting from this mistake were small, the indirect effects at the plant are quite significant. The personnel involved had to be "re-stuck" to obtain valid samples. Venapuncture procedures always cause anxiety and this retesting only served to heighten this anxiety in those tested. Several persons refused to be retested. Considerable time was also required by plant personnel to renotify and explain the problem to the people who needed to be retested. Also, we work very hard to maintain confidence in the medical testing program among our people. This is necessary to obtain participation. This type of occurrence only serves to decrease confidence in the program. I understand that one person has since been designated as "the" contact for our plant nurse concerning questions on interim testing procedures. This is a positive step to prevent similar mistakes from happening again. I have also been informed that the White Plains office has contacted the plant concerning further information that was needed to go with the samples. It appears that there was a lack of communication between the plant and HEI as to what employee information was needed. I understand that the interim testing procedures we have worked out are not routine for HEI. I feel that as another step to prevent future problems with interim testing, the procedures required should be clearly defined in writing to assure understanding by all concerned. This step should help facilitate the interim testing in the future. CCR 000000933 Mr. Bob Demsey Page 2 October 7, 1982 Please let roe know your thoughts on the above or other ideas that may enable us to assure our interim testing goes smoothly in the future. Sincerely, Thomas G. Grumbles, Director Industrial Hygiene ch cc: Ed Berner Geraldine Goodstone A1 Sather Jack Drumwright, M.D. CC* 000000934