Document a4XE4Y91NKGaq0VNmea27EEaN

* ESSO STAX ^A It D OIL COMPANY LttlMAXA IVIII*!t r. a. mx ui. um Mit i.la. MANUEACTURIHO DEPARTMENT m. j. veotmn VICE MnnMT END (DIIMli IUMUI September II, I$$2 Consultants on Air Pollution PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT EXX 107 Hr. William natal Esso Standard Oil Cccpany 15 West 5lst Street Bee York 19, Bmr York Dear Mr. Baden: You will recall that a qualitative survey of air pollution from the Baton Rouge Refinery has recently been coqpleted by Esso Engineering Depertoent In collaboration with Stanford Research Isstitirte. This study indicated that ve do not have an atmospheric pollution problem. However, the unslghtliness of our refinery burning pit and certain of our flare stacks frcta the standpoint of evolution of black smoke was emphasised to us and ve are propos ing projects for the 1953 budget to minimise snake ftoa these sources. * ALthougi the survey vas favorable, and. ccrplalnte directed at ssso on the subject of atmospheric pollution have been fev have been of a minor nature. In view of the prdbleos being encountered by refineries In other cities and by soae of the other Esso refineries, ve believe It isportant to continue to survey our situation end sake sure that ve are taking all reasonable steps to prevent contamination of the atmosphere, lb tills end ve are considering em ploying outside consultants to study forelga matter in the atmosphere in Baton Rouge. Yhe head of the Chemistry Department at Louisiana State University has indicated that he and certain of his associates would be agreeable to carry ing out work, on a consultant basis, to determine the nature and amount of any contaminants which my be present in the atmosphere around Baton Rouge. This would be accomplished by socpUng the atmosphere on a routine basis at a number of predetermined dpots scattered throughout the city, and by observing regularly the rate of deterioration of test strips of various materials exposed to the weather at scattered points. The work vould be carried out In such a way that ve believe no particular attention vould be called to the work end no curiosity would be aroused. Ve have received, a definite proposal from the gentlemen In volved. The cost vould be $8,800 the first year and $5,800 each succeeding yeer. be additional cost for the first year provides for a truck equipped with a mobile laboratory. Zt Is quite poeelble that this study vlll not uncover any particular pollution problems. The study will not be elaborate enough to give anything like a complete picture on atmospheric contamination at Baton Rouge, since soae pos sible contaminants may not be covered sad round-the-clock continuous would not be carried exit. However, the work will provide us with a knowledge of EH003625 e- awtbods of sampling snd analysis that on Mm as a basis far sure complete stadias If this proves desirable* 9ae work will also provide os with sods edditloool infatuation which will either further assure us that we srs not ccntaninoting the atmosphere er help us in avoiding contradmtlon. Ve will obtain an accuadatloc of data Showing atmospheric eogposltlon which should he helpful In case we Should ever encounter difficulties from air pollution chargee. There is so such routine analytical data available to us near. ve hove considered handling this study by establishing fellowship funds at the tblvarslty, hut believe handling the work on a private consulting heels at the start would he preferable since it would allow us to Tm.ir,+**n control of the data obtained. Use of University people rather than out-of-state consultants Should he advantageous In view of a probable con favorable local reaction to the testimony of these people Should the ratter later oome to public attention in any way. An incidental advantage of this arreageaent is that it will aid us in con tinuing good relations with naihoro of the Onivareity faculty, which is helpful to us in our technical ecplnyasat program* VS believe that we Should authorise this work for an period of one year and. that we nay wish to extend it beyond that tine tpon review of the first year's results, if you have any commta they will be ^predated. Ve are also contacting Esso Engineering Department for their consents in view of their p8st experience with air pollution work. ' Very truly yours. H. J. VOQRBXES RKD:nhg E MO 03 626 i K ,s; EM003627