Document JQBLO9p9e4EoGq9L6B2RO36a

General" Statement, on Hygienic Status of The Manufacturing Plants of The Lowe Brothera Co. \ - A study of the potential occupational hazards, in the tuo plants of the Low Brothers-Company, at Dayton# Ohio# hap o*en mane by testing the air of work rooms for their content of substances which night have deleterious effect, and also by subjecting representative groups of workmen to clinical examination. ,. The results of the study and the-recommendations which rise out of them# can be sturaurlasti briefly# as follows: I The conditions within tho plant compare favorably with those generally prevailing in industrial plants of this typo. - .' The type of exposure which offers the greatsst possi bility of hazard to the workmen is that, associated with the handling of lead compounds. Other hazards are belleved to be negligible.. 3. The lead exposure is of an order of magnitude that Is not unusual In tho laud trades. It has not caused lead in toxication among the workmen, so far as the results of resent examinations show. The evidence obtained in recent years indicates# however,.'that occasional cases of lead poisoning# of the milder type# may develop out of conditions similar to those observed In certain parts of these plants# and it Is considered wise to bring about reduction in the lead exposure by introducing greater ventilation into edrtain cf thework rooms# notably the mixing rooms. ' * ' ` 4* It is also considered advisable to warn the workmen to avoid the unnecessary exposure of swallowing lead with food slid tobacco as the result of taking these articles into work rooms or handling them with, unclean hands. This is advised because of the considerable differences In the degree of lead absorption of persons doing the same kind of work and presumably exposed to the same conditions. These differences may well bo due to variability in the personal habits of the workmen with raspdct to care and cleanliness. 5 likewise, the workmen should be advised to avoid the inhalation of lead-containing dusts in certain areas, such as within cere and the r-celving room, through the proper use of dust-masks, which are supplied for that purpose. These, masks must fit perfectly and must be kept in perfect cond'tlon if they ere to be useful. The recommendations to both management and workmen are not intended as criticisms of past practices, but as suggestions for the avoidance of future hygienic difficulties, taking Into account the facts obtained by o\rr recent observations. ' . 'Signed " .. ; ' : . : Boberi A. Kshoe, M.D. g f 0003868