Document QgR57DNk55zxNvxvB42G1ekBL

March 17* 19kJ> Mr. C. E. Chase, Secretary-Manager, Washington State Apple Commission, Wenatchee, Washington. ' > Dear Mr. Chases ^ ; .,1- Thanks for your letter df March 5, vhich I take as a varning that I may he called upontto consider hhe merits of claims made upon the ovners of fruit orchards. As you may veil imagine, ve are literally svamped vith vork at present, and it vould he very difficult for me to spend any considerable amount of time on cases of this type. Nevertheless, I should he glad to he of any assistance that is possible. Perhaps it vould he vise if I vere to point out to you that I vould he unvilling to testify in cases of this sort, unless a very careful effort vere made to establish the facts in the individual case. Legal controversies based on theoreti cal considerations are highly unsatisfactory, and therefore, the medical status of these cases, or at least of any that are destined for a court hearing, should he the subject of careful study. At the time they are studied samples of blood and urine should he analyzed to determine the actual extent of the lead exposure. If this is done, most of the claims can undoubtedly he refuted. If it is not done, most of the talk vlll he in the dark. It has been clearly demonstrated that the opportunities for significant exposure can exist under suitable conditions. If the trees are heavy vith spray, a considerable amount of dust vill result from the picking operations, and individuals may absorb considerable Quantities of both lead and arsenic,(provided, of course, lead; arsenate vas used as the spray). The chances are rather against this, but it can occur, and any individual case should be dealt vith honestly and fairly on its merits, and the information con cerning the exposure should be obtained at the time of the claim for illness, Othervise, It vill be impossible to obtain. If any such case vere to; be brought to my attention for con sideration, I should be glad to supply the necessary containers and to carry out the analyses in such a vay as to have reliable information on Which to express an opinion. At the same time such an individual ought to have a competent and thorough medical examination, including microscopic examination of the blood, I mention these matters so that you vill knov vhat to expect and vill be able so to advise any persons vho may be interested in my opinions. Cordially yours, N9725 COMMISSIONERS: REUBEN 6. BENZ, YAKIMA ALBERT CUILUER, ROUTE 8, YAKIMA C. A. HAWLEY, ROUTE 2, WENATCHEE J. W. HEBERT, YAKIMA B. E. HENDRICK, OHAK W. G. MARTIN, WAPATO FRANK P. SHINN, EAST FARMS J. M. WADE. WENATCHEE HUGH WILCOX, TIETON C. M, WILD, CHELAN C. M. ZEOIKER, Ca s h me r e Wa s h in g t o n St a t e Ap p l e Co mmis s io n Wcnatckee, Washington I-larch 5, 1943 OFFICERS: C. M. ZEDJKER, CHAIRMAN W. G. ma r t in , Vic e -Ch a ir ma n C. E. CHASE, Tr e a s u r e r EX-OFFICIO COMMISSIONERS: ARTHUR E. COX BIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE F. E. DESELLEM SUPERVISOR OF HORTICULTURE C. E, CHASE, Se c r e t a r y -Ma n a g e r Dr. iiobert A. Kehoe Kettering Laboratory of Applied Physiology University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, L-hio Dear Dr. Kehoe: One of the large insurance companies that places liability insurance on farms covering all risks in the producing and grooving of crops has had several claims from apple pickers who claim that they have become ''leaded1' in harvesting apples. Through a friend of mine, I have suggested to then that they consult you. Do far they have al ways been able to settle these dales for amounts of S,1G0 to -.,250, which of course is less than it would cost them to go to court. How ever, it is not unlikely that sometime they will have a case that v;ill run up to bigger figures, and it seems to me that you would be the logical one to aavise the;.!. It is hard for me to conclude that a person could become leaded in-picking apples from the snail amount that is on the apples when we figure how diluted the spray is. One of my friends had a complaint from one of tne pickers who claimed to have become leaded, ana he even went so far as to go to an attorney, when the attorney found that ray friend had been spraying with Kryocide for the past three years, he refused to take the case. I am not too sure which insurance company it is, but I be lieve it is the General Insurance Company of America. In any event, I think if they get into any serious trouble they will be consulting you. We have had a very successful year. C-rowers have cleaned their fruit to conform with our state laws, and in no circumstance has there been any seizure or trouble of any sort. I am hopeful that we may continue as we are. I doubt the possibility of a hearing, at least until we get out of the present emergency. ith kind personal regards, l am Sincerely yours. *CEC:o KF 00084SG C. E. CHASE, Seeretary-Kanager N9725.01