Document MJ2qx376B2BdxoeegBV1gJx5y

January 21, 1946 Dr. A. Ashley Weech, Children's Hospital, Cincinnati 29, ^hio. Dear Ashley' In accordance with our conversation at one of the Christmas parties I am sending you herewith some information on our activities during the war which may be of interest to you in connection with your address at the commencement. Not knowing exactly what you would want to use or how you would want to present it, I have set, down those things which 3eem to me to have been our more signifi cant contributions , whether primarily investigative in character or advisory. On the basis of this information you will be prepared to pick out what you want to refer to and to ignore the balance. I have not wished to overemphasize the importance of our activities by merely writing them down, but rather have tried to give you aa much information as I could, as a basis for your own judgment. I trust that this will be helpful to you. If it should suggest the need fox- any additional information, do not hesitate to let me know. / Sincerely yours, I AK ef Enc I.obert A. Kehoe, M. D RESEARCH ACTIVITIES OF KETTERING LABORATORY AND STAFF DURING WAR On OSRD Contracts 1. Development of Field Methods for the Purification of vater after its Transportation and Storage in Cans, Drums and Tanks that have been employed as Containers for Leaded Gasoline - (Removal of gasoline and lead compounds) 2. Another that cannot be referred to at all at this time carried out with collaboration of Department of Psychiatry. On CMR Contract 1. (Methods for) The Determination of the Oxides of Nitrogen in Air (In relation to hazards of gunfire etc. within enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces.) On Contracts with Office of Quartermaster General 1. Various systematic observations on equipment developed for the use cf leaded gasoline as a fuel, from the standpoint of measurement and control of the lead hazards - (Development work on equipment for Q.M.G. Other Work Initiated Directly or Indirectly by Governmental Agencies 1. Study of the immediate and remote effects of exposure to certain additives projected for use or used in the development of high octane gasoline for aeronautical purposes - (Effects of percu taneous and respiratory absorption) Names of materials restricted as yet - one for use by British and another for U.S.A. 2. Toxicological work in connection with the development of certain preservatives for food supplies - especially sea foods for use by the armed forces - (these products cannot be discussed"as Jet) 00561 Work Initiated by Industrial groups in connection with MAterlals and products developed For or used by the armed forces N 24738.01 1. The Toxicology of DDT an<3 the practical hazards attending its manufacture, distribution and use as an insecticide. Work carried out at expense of the Geigy Company in collaboration with governmental research agencies as coordinated through the Sub-Committee on Biology of the N .D .F .C . Committee on Insect Control of which Kehoe was a member. 2. The toxicity of a series of cyclic compounds, of which cyclohexanone was of principal importance - work involving the determination of the toxicity and mode of action, and the effects of prolonged exposure to low concentrations- leading to the determination of the safe level of prolonged human exposure - work financed by the Barrett Company, Division of Allied Chemical and Dye Corporation. 3* The toxicity and mode of action of a series of compounds (2 Aminothiozole, 2 Amino diazlne, etc.) intermediates in thp manufacture of certain of the sulpha drugs -^-fron^ the aspect of the hazards of the exposure of workmen engaged in'the manufacture of these drugs. Work financed by Monsanto Chemical Company and American Cyanamid Company. Consultation and Field Investigations for Various Governmental Agencies 1. Investigation of conditions responsible for an outbreak of chemical Intoxication among employees of petroleum distributing companies in Egypt and Persia during 19^3. Identification of the nature of the intoxication, and determination of means for preventing It. Carried out by Kehoe, as representative of the laboratory, on behalf of the British Government and the distributors Involved. 2. Investigation of.hazardous conditions of lead exposure in various Industries supervised by the Army, and in various operations Involving military personnel. In various parts of the United States, ? as Consultant in Industrial Hygiene co the burgeon General of the U. S. Army. (Kehoe representing the Laboratory) regular Consultation and Hygiene Control in Hazardous Industries Expanded to meet Var Conditions One of our primary concerns in peace time, the maintenance of safe operating conditions in the manufacture of anti-knock com pounds (tetraethyl lead and the associated vehicles) expanded in scope and significance to the point of being a major var-time job in relation to national security, when high octane gasoline came to be one of the most urgent necessities. This was one of the tightest squeezes of the var, the difficulties of vhich vere based on shortages not of rav materials but of manpover. It vas, by all odds our most difficult and moBt responsible job, calling for a very great expansion of both investigation and control vork for safeguarding urgently needed operating personnel. i 00563