Document ExdwvzyrbpLZn7qJNn7JVk4rx

DURAND BENJAMIN, M, D. 7430 VIRGINIA AVENUE ST. LOUIS II. MO, Pl a t e a u 2345 May 12, 1954 Dr. J. Earl Smith Health Commissioner City of St. Louis, Bio. Bear Dr. Smith; 1 am the plant physician for the Phelan Faust Paint Hfg. Company and as such, periodically take specimens of blood for analysis of the lead content in individuals exposed to the possi bility of lead intoxication. These specimens are collected in con tainers (lead free) as furnished by your department. On 4-10-54 I took specimens of blood on Fred C. Nash and on Joseph F. Pilippi. These are two young men who have been employed for less than one year at our plant and to my knowledge had no previous exposure to lead. I, received reports back on these two indivi duals numbered B-I259 arid (>-1260 respectively. On Fred Hash ihe ra, port was 0.166 tac$ and Joseph Filippi, the report was 0.131 rag.%. ! These blood levels are, of course, well above the normal levels and j these individuals should have shown some signs of lead poisoning. Such findings were not present arid when I considered the fact that we are using less lead in the plant than was formerly used in the manu facture of our paint, I decided to have these bloods re-checked. I therefore contacted the Kettering Laboratory at the University of Cincinnati. This was suggested to me by Dr. Kagebusch who Stated that he felt that this laboratory was probably the best in the country from the industrial standpoint. I am enclosing copies of their reports, which you will note are at considerable var iance to those submitted to the City Laboratory. This letter, Doctor, is not in the nature of a complaint but rather to acquaint you with a matter with which 1 believe that you would wish to be acquainted. Best regards, r c/c Dr. Sobt. A. Kehoe Phelan-Miss G. Pappert encl. Durand 'Benjamin, M.D. K 0(Jl9839