Document GmN8brkJ1qJpYJ94nLgDvkG0Y

Mr. K. Dunn --------------- 2 Ijuly 3 1945 Tfe have already gone a considerable distance in attaining this goal bycontacting Dr. Gardner of Saranac Lake for the purpose of conducting animal experiments to determine whether or not iron duet is harmful to the lungs. San pies already taken and analyzed indicate that the percentage of free silica is well below the accepted safe limit and the percentage of iron oxide in the dust is very high. Following this, Mr, Littlefield went over very carefully Dr. Gardner's report on the analyses of the dust samples which we collected some time ago and demonstratedthat a silica hazard should not be presumed to exist in an atmosphere of this sfert. Mr. Cook then discussed the arrangements we had made for including other industries who are interested in this problem. Both the mutual and stock insurance companies have indicated their Interest but since they are members of the Americanlndustrial Hygiene Association they have felt that the investigation should be conducted through them. Also, one or two of the other industries, while interested, felt the same way. Sinoe the American Brake Shoe Company had done the original work and was already prepared to go the rest of the way alone if necessary, it was felt that the participation of these other companies would be well handled -through the American Industrial Hygiene Association directly. It was also felt that any research work which we and Dr. Gardner would do would be greatly benefited by the baoking and support of the American Industrial Hygiene Associatioh. Since Dr. gardtier is on the Board of Directors for the Association, it was felt that he would be glad to cooperate in any way he felt to be best. Mr. McMahon indicated that the funds available from the Industrial Hygiene Foundation for research work have been completely allocated for the year 1945. However, he expressed the feeling that the project was of such fundamental importance that the Industrial Hygiene Association together with the American Brake Shoe Company should work it out on a mutaally satisfactory basis. He suggested that pending the approval of the medioal board of the Foundation that the Industrial Hygiene Association's share of the expense could be ear-marked for 1946. Mr. Cook is to contact the Association of Casualty and Surety Executives with regard to their participation along he lines indicated through the Hygiene Association. Mr, Littleifled will contaot the Taylor Viharton people and inform them of the steps already taken. All together, we had a most satisfactory conference wnd the finest kind of cooperation from Ik. McMahon and his associates* It was felt that the matter of establishing definite standards of diagnosis in this condition is of such importance that a preliminary report of findings, to be followed by substantiating animal experimentation, should be done very soon. It was suggested by Mr. McMahon that Dr, Gardner, Mr. Littlefield and 3 present a preliminary report at the meeting of the Amerioan Industrial Hygiene Association in November of this year, after which the papers would be published. This was thought most advisable in view of the fact that the experimental work will take two and possibly three years, and that in the meantime problems will be descending upon us with the anticipated reconversion period. SPNY 000449