Document QMgVanzBDEqwJLrpemm3414g6

MALCOLM H. MERRILL. M.D. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH 2t6t BERKELEY WAY 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 * .. -- iVHl Christine Sinert, M.D. December 17, 1032 Assy Christine hinert, M.D. California f&partment of Public Health 2XS1 Berkeley Way Berkeley 4, California Hear Doctor Eiuert; In a meeting with representatives of the /daerican Potters Association &ra certain other interested persons last week, to consider what we tone been (toisg by way of investigation, sad what we should <2o further, I encountered ease degree of concern within the group about their not having reported to you on the status of the problem. St appeared to me at the time that l might well write to you and tell you where matters stand. 1 suggested this to the group, saying that t would like you to understand the attitude of the lettering Laboratory with respect to such reporting, as well &b the other matters at issue-. We have had ass opportunity, with the complete cooperation oi the people in the Association arid in the industry, to carry out a series of tests on samples of table ware that would appear to be representative. Starting with a few samples, we have expanded our observations in various ways, is an effort to establish certain basic facts without which I, at least, could not reads any very definite conclusion. I ass not certain that all of the pertinent facts are in, but there are enough to justify certain tentative conclusions. We have a Sew ssort observations to make, and meanwhile, we are gathering as much information as possible about the past history of this matter in various countries. Sir. Cfcolak and l have agreed, to prepare u report in which we shall put together all the facts which we can establish from the work which wo have done, as well as those which we can obtain frost other sources. Thus far ail vs have done is to present raw data to the group and to use it to learn && much && 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. X us; pleased with the manner in which w*. have been dealt with and I want to tube whatever time is necessary to prepare a well considered report with reeowKondaticms. When we have been able to complete this tu*k, I would like to KE" 0008336 N9685.01 Aay Christine Iinert, M.D. -2- JX'ceaber I'-?, 1962 present you with a copy or copies o the report and sit down with you and your associates and discuss it thoroughly. Since the tirse which X can give to this is restricted aowwhat by other duties in this Departaent* X cannot tell you Just when this can be done, but X a anxious to get it done aa Quickly os possible, and 1 shall push it along as vigorously as circumstances will pex-Kili. t shall be dependent, to sera extent, of course, on the wishes of the people with whoa and for wtum we are working, but, so far as 1 have been able to see, there has been no obstacle in our way to the full and free, exchange of professional information with you, your Department or any other official agency. As you are aware-, 1 am sure, this is Just about the only way that X can deal with situations relating to the public health. With kindest regards, and also the Season'd Greetings. Sincerely yours. <-01*0ri. i. t'o<-, h. a* oni....v t* KE 000833?