Document e71VQaqmQenaoraL2M0LO19V9

TO: Kettering Alumni In the past there has been little recognition, outside a very limited group chiefly represented in the membership of the American Industrial Hygiene Association, of the benefits of application of scientific and technologic measurements and controls in the solution of health-related problems arising in industry and also in modern industrial society. Dynamic changes in the consciousness of the public in environmental effects of technological advances began with Rachel Carson's Silent Spring and have now spread far beyond concern over insecticide pollution. Unfortunately, there has been no real effort to convey to the public the effectiveness with which literally thousands of health problems are solved and prevented in modern in dustry by sound management. Sound management in this area involves wise decision-making at that level of industrial relations responsible for employee health--the director of occupational health, i. e. , a well qualified occupational physician, who should be in the best position to deal expediently with all such problems (including both those which do not require or lend themselves to measurement and effective control and must, therefore, be dealt with empiri cally and, conversely, those which can benefit from scientific management). In the latter case, the occupational physician can benefit from the assistance of the well qualified industrial hygienist, whose background and experience should permit him either to personally perform the measures and design the controls needed or to be able to advise how best to proceed. Obviously, Indus trial Hygiene is a vital ingredient in constituting an effective Occupational Health capability and yet, there is widespread lack of public and professional awareness of the value of this important field to employee and public health conservation. In view of the above, and at the suggestion of one of my former students who now heads the Industrial Hygiene Foundation of America, Inc. (IHF), I am writing to advise you of my intention to act in two areas of importance: (1) I amwriting to President Nixon to advise him of my conviction of the importance of Industrial Hygiene to our national welfare and public health, and asking him to consider favorably recommendations of the Presidents of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, American Academy of Occupational Medicine and American Industrial Hygiene Association as well as IHF that the week of IHF's Annual Meeting be designated "National Industrial Hygiene Week"--October 12-18. Acopy of my letter will be sent to Senators Everett M. Dirksen and Hugh Scott who have agreed to co-sponsor the Bill needed to recommend such action to the President. IHF has prepared a special Annual Meeting program (enclosed) designed to help structure an N22137 -2- extensive membership drive and also, through the public relations depart ments of its members, to develop such extensive coverage of all media that by the year's end, the majority of our citizens and all those in the health professions should be aware of their debt to Industrial Hygiene and share our confidence in the future capabilities of this dynamic field to help advance employee and public health to the maximum practical degree, reaching far beyond all minimum standard requirements of the law. 2. I am also writing to the President of the American Medical Association, with copy to the Council on Occupational Health, of which I was a member for many years, to call to attention the fact that the present Council has not a single member who considers himself an Industrial Hygienist and who belongs to the American Industrial Hygiene Association, recommending (1) that the present President of the American Industrial Hygiene Association, David W. Fassett, M. D., be appointed to the Council, and (2) that the Council, including Dr. Fassett, consider whether or not the incoming President, Dr. Gerald D. Dorman, should write a letter expressing the American Medical Association's endorsement of the importance of Industrial Hygiene to our nation's health and welfare. This message is being sent to you as an alumnus of Kettering Lab oratory to alert you of my intentions in this regard so that you may assist me in extending some degree of order into the rather confused situation which now exists in our field with regard to Industrial Hygiene, and which, unfor tunately, is preventing our entire field of Occupational Health from moving ahead as rapidly as it should in today's rapidly changing climate. Best wishes to each of you for an enjoyable summer with your families. Sincerely, Robert A. Kehoe, M. D. Professor Emeritus University of Cincinnati Enclosure cc: Robert T. P. deTreville, M. D. I (412) 687-2100 ESTABLISH ED 1835 IN D USTRIAL HYGIENE FOUNDATION OF AMERICA. INC. 5231 C E N T R E A V E N U E PITTSBURGH. PA. 15232 June 19, 1969 Dr. Robert A. Kehoe Professor Emeritus University of Cincinnati Kettering Laboratory Eden &Bethesda Avenues Cincinnati, Ohio 45219 Dear Dr. Kehoe: Just a note to report progress in the program for our 34th Annual Meeting to be held October 14-15, 1969 and to request your help in the form of (1) comments on an article in the Annals of Internal Medicine we would like to abstract for our Industrial Hygiene Digest (enclosure), and (2) a letter to the Kettering Alumni. A preliminary program is enclosed and you will see that I have fol lowed your advice and moved the consideration of breathing air standards to the Technical Conference. Herb Stokinger suggested Andy Hosey since Andy has just taken on extensive new responsibilities in this area, as you are aware. We are having difficulty finding time for our Chem-Tox Committee Discussional prior to the Annual Meeting date because of conflicting vacation schedules of principle persons we would wish to involve and the fact that several will be attending the Tokyo meeting and continuing around the world enroute home. It now appears that it will be best to decide if and when to hold it at the time of the Chem-Tox Committee luncheon on October 15, following Andy's talk. The proposed letter to the Kettering Alumni is enclosed. While I could send it, I believe it would be much more effective over your signature. If you agree with its content, please sign, after making any needed changes, and we will reproduce and mail the corrected version with a copy to you. If for any reason you do not agree with the concepts expressed, please provide me with the basis for your disagreement in order that I may be guided by it in charting the future course of our Foundation, As you know, I value your opinions in such matters and count on your continued help as Professor, Advisor and friend. I shall be leaving on three weeks vacation next week, but will call you on my return. By then, you may have had a chance, hopefully, to have given these matters consideration. N22137.01 AN ASSOC IATION OF INDUSTRIES FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF H E ALTH FU L WORKING C O NDITIO NS IN D U S TR IA L HYG IENE FO U N D A TIO N O F AM ERICA, INC. Dr. Robert A. Kehoe June 19 1969 Page 2 Many thanks and with best regards. Sincerely, deTrsjc Enclosures Robert T. P. deTreville, M. D President