Document X73kL57BGBM46eYpNyYNQ0R0G

March 4, 1963 Alexander Witkow, M.D., M.P.H., Commissioner of Health Butler County Health Department City Building Hamilton, Ohio Dear Doctor Witkow: I am calling your attention, herewith, to a matter which we think may be of some significance. I shall recite the facts as far as we know them and if the situation develops to the point of justifying some action on your part, you will know the back ground. If nothing comes of it, no harm will have been done. The Moore Battery Company operated a small plant for the reclamation of lead from storage batteries at Bromley (bordering on Ludlow) Kentucky. This plant operated for only seven weeks, somewhat sporadically, but the conditions, with respect to the exposure of men to lead dust and fume, were so bad, that at least 3 of 20 workmen developed lead intoxication. This, of course, is an unusually short period for such an outcome, ami it is even more striking than might seem to be the case, since the working days were fewer than thirty during the seven weeks of the existence of the plant. This plant was seen by one of our industrial hygiene engineers, who made some recommendations which were ignored. It is clear that there was no intention to do anything. (We also obtained a few analytical results on samples of the urine of the men who were ill, these being remarkably high.) The conditions in the neighborhood of the plant were so bad that the plant was closed because of popular protest. One of our physicians, at my suggestion, visited the site, and reported utterly appalling conditions. 1 had seen this sort of thing before, and 1 had suspected what might be seen, and for this reason 1 had suggested that he see for himself. We are now informed by the underground that the plant is to be moved to Hicks Manor Industrial Park, Industry Drive, Fairfield, Ohio, which is said to be near Hamilton. (I'm not sure that it is in Butler County, but my writing to you is based on this likelihood). There is no doubt that the operation will be carried out in the same manner as it was in Bromley. In fact, the manager at Bromley has been quoted to the effect that this is Mr. Moore's intent. My only interest is that of heading this off, if possible, as an utterly undesirable industrial operation. If it is in your area you will be forewarned and can do what can be done about it. If it N 7980 Alexander Witkow, M.D -2 March 4, 1963 is not within your province, perhaps you will know how the matter might be approached. I must confess that, in a matter of this sort, 1 have something approaching mayhem in my mind as the only fitting means of dealing with the perpetrators of such an outrageous performance. That I have seen it over and over again does not inure me to its barbarity. "(Vith regards. Yours sincerely, RAK:ss Robert A. Xehoe, M. D.