Document e7kvO3rD5rOng8gb3RaR7De6E

May 2, 1967 Albert R. Kolar, M.D. Falkirk Hospital Falkirk Place Central Valley, N. Y. Dear Doctor Kolar: I am asking our analytical laboratory to send two sets of containers, together with the necessary Instructions for the collection of samples of urine and blood from your two patients. Without expressing any special skepticism on my part as to your diagnostic procedure, let me merely point out that lead poisoning in house painters is a rare occurrence, largely because these men are not engaged regularly or even frequently in work that gives rise to significant exposure to lead. A Job that requires prolonged "burning off" or mechanical removal of old paint in such a manner as to create finely divided particles in the atmosphere is certainly not common, so that the real exposure of the painter to significant Quantities of lead Is highly intermittent. Unless he is grossly careless and swallows a considerable quantity of paint with food, tobacco or from other things that are put into the mouth, the exposure is modest. For this reason, I would prefer to give no advice as to therapy until the results of the analysis of urine and blood are available. It would also be advantageous from the aspect of the urgency of any kind of therapy, to learn the clinical patterns of these two cases, since the exposure to lead of these men. If significant, may have extended over the period of 15 years.. It is more likely, I should say, that they sustained some unusual degree of exposure recently as the precipitating factor in their Intoxication, and if this is the case the intoxication, of Itself, may be considered with less apprehension for the future. Sincerely yours. RAX:wp Dictated but not read Robert A. Kehoe, M D. Professor Emeritus of Occupational Medicine