Document Znde5nOaj35pDbRJennDRO4MZ
January 21 j 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 i t , 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.
j'
Sincerely yours,
i-AK ef Enc
I.obert . Kehoe, M. D .
oo 60
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES OF KETTERING LABORATORI 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
* et)
00561
Work Initiated by Industrial groups in connection with
N24738.01
2.
1. The Toxicology of DDT and 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 vhich Kehoe
vas a member.
2. The toxicity of a series of cyclic compounds, of vhich
cyclohexanone vas of principal importance - vork involving the
determination of the toxicity and mode of action, and the effects of
prolonged exposure to lov concentrations- leading to the determination
of the safe level of prolonged human exposure - vork 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 diazine, etc.) intermediates In thp manu
facture 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 19kj>. Identification of the
nature of the intoxication, and determination of means for preventing It. Carried out by K e h o e , 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 A r m y , and in various operations Involving military personnel, in various parts of the United States,
as Consultant in Industrial Hygiene co the Surgeon General of the
U* S. Army. (Kehoe representing the Laboratory)
regular Consultation and Hygiene Control in Hazardous Industries Expanded to meet War 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 vas one of the tightest
squeezes of the var, the difficulties of vhich vere based on shortages
not of raw materials but of manpower. It vas, by all odds our most
difficult and most responsible job, calling for a very great expansion
of both Investigation and control work for safeguarding urgently
needed operating personnel.
iy
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