Document B5GBkXqLZD6jeVyEjm4Db7QeX

XXXXXXXXX - Director ( September 21,- 194-9 J. R. Pur lend, Plant Manager Monsanto Chemical Company Nitro, West Virginia Bear Dr. Durland: As you know, all attempts so far to identify the reaction material from the process which vent out of control last March 8 have failed except in a general way. Consequently ve are unable to determine whether dirt etc. bn the building and fixtures and dust in the air remaining after various cleaning operations contains any of the chloracne producing properties of the original material. *> I have recently conferred with a personal acquaintance who is in charge of one of the two industrial biochemical laboratories in the country which are equipped and have done considerable work in experimentally producing chloracne in laboratory animals. I am advised that by testing various scrapings and air borne dust from the building on experimental enisals that .they could quite probably determine for us whether or not any of this'material in active form yet remains in the building. I am advised, however, that they would not wish to undertake such work unless it was also requested by the chief medical director of the company. Since we are particularly anxious to take every step possible to Ss s u b b that the building has been properly decontaminated we'desire very much to have your medical director, Dr. Emmet Kelly, concur with us in requesting that this particular work he done. We would like your thoughts along-the lines of our contacting Dr. Kelly to discuss this problem in detail and suggesting that he request .this work to be done. Very truly yours, STATE DEPARTMENT 0? HEALTH Bureau of Industrial Hygiene 3y__ _______________ ( P. D. Halley, Industrial Hygienist Acting Director PDK/je E k Z2.