Document JNwvg47d5LrK4veML67K278Yv

MALCOLM H. MERRILL. M.D. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH 151 BERKELEYWAY BERKELEY 4. CALIFORNIA January 7> 19^3 EDMUND G. DROWN GOVERNOR Robert A. Kehoe, M.D. The Kettering Laboratory University of Cincinnati College of Medicine - Eden Avenue Cincinnati 19, Ohio Dear Doctor Kehoe: Thank you for your letter of December 17th, regarding your meeting with the American Potters Association and others. I shall, indeed, be most interested in your report on the testing of ceramics for lead and other, possibly harmful ingredients. I fully agree with you that a careful and complete report is much needed. This Bureau will be most happy to be included in the mailing list for your findings when they are available, and 1 certainly appreciate being told of the present state of your discussion. .Recently we received information concerning a test method which referred to the square inches of surface covered by 100 mis of solution. The lead was reported in quantities per square inch. While it is certainly wise to relate the amount of lead to the surfa.ce area, I find it impossible . to make a judgment on what that would mean as compared to 150 mis of liquid dissolving lead off the inside of a cup. I wonder if you are going to recommend a standard which is transferable to different surface areas of ceramic glaze tested, or whether you intend to relate your quantitative results to the number of cc's of solution in which the lead is dissolved, or both. I am also wondering whether you are going to demand a retesting of the same surface in border-line cases. We are certainly glad that you undertook the solution of this problem, and will await your report with great interest. Sincerely yours, Howard W. Mitchell, L.D., Chief Bureau of Occupational health !J * . -- V H j Christine Einert, M.D. Medical Officer December 17, 1062 Assy Christine Mnert, M.. California Department of Public Health 2151 Berkeley Way Berkeley 4, Caliioroia Dear Doctor liiuort; In a aectinij with repressedtatIves of the African Potters Association ana certain other interested persons last week, to consider what we bog been doing by way of investigation, and hat we should cto further, I encountered sosse degree of concern within the group about their not having reported to you on the statue of the problem. St appeared to use at the time that 1 sight well write to you arid tell you where matters stand. 1 suggested this to the group, saying that I would like you to understand the attitude of the Kettering Laboratory with respect to such reporting, as well && the other satters at issue. We have had ass opportunity, with the complete cooperation oi the people in the Association and in the industry, to carry out a series of tests on eas&pleo of table ware that would appear to be representative;. Starting with a few saaples, we have expanded our observations in various ways, in an effort to . establish certain basic facts without which I, at least, could not reach any very definite conclusion. I ass not certain that ail of the pertinent facts are in, but there arc enough to justify certain tentative conclusions. Wo have a few sort observations to sake, and meanwhile, we are gathering a,a much information as possible about the past history of this matter in various countries. nr. Clsolak and 1 have .greed to prepare a report in which we shall put together 11 the facts which we can establish from the fork which wo have done, as well as those which we can obtain fro other sourceu. Thus far ail te have done is to present raw data to the group and to use it to learn as much &s possible about the industry, its business and technical attitudes, its way of producing and marketing its wares, and what it can and will do to define and accept its responsibilities. I am pleased with the manner in which we have been dealt with and I want to take whatever tls* is necessary to prepare a well considered report with recom mendations. When we have been able to complete this taak, I would like to N9685.01 Amy Christine Iinert, U.D -2- Deceraber 17, 19G2 present you with & copy or copies of the report and sit down with you and your associates <u h $ discuss it thoroughly. Since the time which 1 can give to this is restricted oawwhat by other duties in this Department* t cannot tell you Just when this can be done, but 1 a anxious to get it done as Quickly as possible, and 2 shall push it along as vigorously as circumstances will permit. I shall be dependent, to soae extent, of course, on the wishes of the people with whom and for whoa we are working, but, so far as 2 aye bees; able to see, there has been no obstacle in our way to th full and free exchange of professional information with you, your Deportment or any other official agency. As you re aware-, X a sure, this is Just about the only way that I can deal with situations relating to the public health. With kindest regards, and also the Season'd Greetings. Sincerely yours, Hubert A. Kehoe, te. . JueiidE KE 000833?