Document peXVyRg3z2oZvjmx3G266mkJa

January 6, i960 AIR MAIL Mr. C. P. Bartlett Gulf Oil Corporation P.O. Box 8056 Philadelphia 1, Pa Alleged Lead Poisoning Case Wilkes-Barre, Pa. inance - Helper Dear Mr. Bartlett: I regret the delay in answering your letter of December 16 occasioned by my absence from my office for a period just before and chiring the holidays. I hasten to reply so as to avoid further delay. I shall be more than glad to answer the question raised in your letter if I can obtain some information about the onset and course of Mr. illness, and especially about his alleged exposur^tolead and the time relationships involved. It seems highly improbable that the illness complained of was due in any manner to hi3 absorption of lead, but then I may be completely wrong in my assumption (from the negligible amount of information I have) that the onset was recent. Let me point out to you and to all concerned, that the interpretation of analytical findings such as those reported, must be made on the fact3 concerning the alleged exposure to lead - its nature, severity and duration - and concerning all of the time relationships, especially the interval of time between the termination of the exposure and the collection of the samples for analysis. I have attempted to obtain the necessary information, but up to the present I have none. Dr. Strieker is mistaken in his belief that his treatment of Mr. Tredinnick would influence the level of lead concentration in the blood and urine. He is also incorrect in his opinion that the use of the chelating agent*Calcium disodium versenate (EDTA), would provide a proper means for appraising his present status with respect to absorbed lead. The attitude occasioned by his views of this matter may bring about a controversial situation. If, however, you will see that I am provided with full information about this man's employment and his illness, I can give you an opinion which can be fully substantiated. Very truly yours. December 2, 1959 Emil C. Beyer, M. D. Ethyl Corporation 100 Park Avenue New York 17, New York Dear Emil: I send herewith the analytical report on the urine and blood of with a copy of my note to Dr. Rouse. If yofnmve any additional information on this man I'd be glad to have it to complete the record. You may or may not remember, that I keep a file on all cases of injury or alleged or suspected injury in relation to leaded gasoline as a part of the investigation of this problem in the laboratory. I'm glad to hear from you again. While I'm no longer responsible for Ethyl's regular medical activities, I continue to deal with all of the investigative or control work of the Laboratory, and will do so for some time to come. Best regards. Sincerely yours, RAX:ss Enclosures Robert A. Kehoe, M. D. N13184.01 ETHYL CORPORATION lOO PARK AVENUE BUILDING AT 41s t STREET YEW YORK 17, N. Y. November 27, 1959 Mr. J. Cholak Kettering Laboratory University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Eden and Bethesda Avenues Cincinnati 19, Ohio Re: Alleged Lead Poisoning Case Urine and Blood Samples sent by Dr. G. P. Rouse, Philadelphia, Pa. Dear lack: Would you be kind enough to send me the results of the lead analysis on urine and blood samples forwarded to you by Dr. Rouse, representing the Gulf Oil Company. Best personal regards. ECB :mgw Sincerely yours Emil C. Beyer, M.D N13184.02 KH 00.1 Hi November 23, 1959 Dr. Georg Pi Douse, Jr., 2031 locust Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Dear Doctor Rouse: I am sending herewith a report of the analytical findings on the blood and urine xt seems likely that there may have been some correspondence concerning this man, but I do not have any information about him at hand, and since the results are entirely negative, 1 am not looking farther into the matter at this time. I have interpreted the report in the manner indicated by the results. If there is any further information which you might wish, or any unusual circumstances that require consideration please let me know. Cordially yours. Robert A. Kehoe, M. D. RAK:ss cc: Dr. K. Kitzmiller Enclosures NI3184.03 Material: Submitted: Required: Urine and Blood 11-16-59 by Dr. George P. Rouse, Jr., 2051 Locust Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Lead Analyses URINE Analysis Number Volume Specific Gravity Mg. Pb/Liter - 59A-11214 - 118 ml. - 1.020 - 0.05 BLOOD Analysis Number Grams Mg. Pb/100 Grams - 59A-11215 Spectrographic Dithizone - 8.0 10.4 - 0.05 0.02 The levels of lead concentration in the urine and blood are in the mean normal range. This man has not absorbed any abnormal Quantity of lead from any source recently. Signed: Robert A. Kehoe, M* D. N13184.04 3o u < i <\ r* o Samples Collected: Samples Received: Samples Reported: 11-12-59 11-16-59 11-20-59 KETTERING- LABORATORY UNIVERSITY OP CINCINNATI COLLEGE OF MEDICINE Sex >1 Age s6b W D Hospital, Ward_____ # Date History: (Including nature of exposure, actual time of exposure if known or surmised, and especially the last day or hour of exposure; character and time of onset of illness; course of illness and present status; previous pertinent medical history.) Physical Findings: Laboratory Findings: Impression: Treatment (specify date(s): Investigation Desired: Note: The Kettering Laboratory makes a charge for reimbursement of the cost of services rendered on the customary professional basis of the economic status of the patient as determined by his physician. K e 00 ` 2 3 ; 4 N13184.05 , ii. A. Gidney, Jr. P. N. Stiteler S, J. Payne J. A, Edwards Dr. G. P. Rouse - 2031 Locust Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania \ October 2?, 1959 ALLEGED LEAD POISCMIHG GASS Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Motor Equipment Maintenance - Helper The Travelers Insurance Company Miners National Bank Building 'Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Attention: Hr. J. V. Vogelbacker Supervising adjuster Gentlemen: >\e are still concerned with the above alleged lead poisoning;,case, your Fib: Bo. B-S9273QO. Attached is a cosaaunication fro Dr. u, G, Strieker, 521 Carey Avenue, Wilke8-*3arre, Pa. indicating his exaaination of Tredinnick but also cementing that the local Labratories are not properly equipped to do a complete lead test, be have the facilities of the Medical Department of the Ethyl Corp* available 10 us and it it meets with your approval, vie should like to arrange to send to Dr. G. P. house, here in Philadelphia, who has been closely associated with Gulf Oil Corporation end the Travelers Insurance Company. can arrange for the Medical Department of the .Ethyl Corp. to send i)r. Bouse the special lead-free containers so he can have the tests complete. fill you please advise if you are willing to assume the transportation costs, etc. arid other incidental expenses in connection with this as we feel this is to oar mutual interests. If you do not want to assume the expenses, would you have any objections if we do so? Strictly fro. 0. personnel standpoint, we want to make sure the employee does not have an occupational illness. e await your comments.- Very truly yours. oro:amq N13184.06 KELLEY VISION GENERAL MANAGER .SiQN MANAGERS R . LAWLOR RETAIL AND JOBBER SALES H. A . GODDARD. JR. DIRECT SALES G. T . RYAN SuPPLV ANO OPERATION G. R . WITWER ACCOUNTING AND OFFICE PETROLEUM AND ITS PRODUCTS GULF OIL CORPORATION PHILADELPHIA SALES DIVISION GULF BUILDING CITY AVENUE AT SCHUYLKILL EXPRESSWAY December 16, 1959 ALLEGED LEAD POISON DIG CASE Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Motor Equipment Maintenance - Helper MAILING ADDRESS P. O. BOX 0056 PHILADELPHIA I,PA. t/- Dr. R. A. Kehoe Sloan Ketterling Labratories University of Cincinnatti Cincinnatti, Ohio Dear Dr. Kehoe: Our Dr. George P. Rouse, Jr., Philadelphia, submitted t^vour Labratory urine and blood samples of our who it is alleged suffered lead poisoning in October of tn^^year^^^^ Naturally, this has been handled as a Workmen's Compensation case with our insurance people either accepting or denying the medical expenses involved. Having the results of your examination indicating that the employee1s blood was normal as it relates to the levels of lead concentration, etc., our insurance people denied the payment of Dr. R. S. Strieker's bill ... on the basis that the employee did not suffer lead poisoning. Therefore, the responsibility was not that of Gulf Oil Corporation. However, Dr. Strieker has recountered with certain allegations the way the tests were taken for blood samples was not proper. This is fully outlined in his letter of November 10, 1959 addressed to our Plant Manager, Mr. S. J. Payne. However, you will note that although the letter was postdated, it liras not actually sent to our Wilkes-Barre office to over a month later and was received on December 14, 1959* The question which we wish you would answer for us is whether or not you concur with Dr. Strieker's comments and could there possibly have been a lead poisoning condition previously existing which would not have been determined by the tests which were made several weeks later. Your early comments will be greatly appreciated. Yours very truly, N13184.07 GULF CIL CORPORATION CPB:amq 00.123; 6 ; NCE S. J Payne AT Wilkes Barre F. N. Stiteler CPB AT Philadelphia ALLEGED LEAD POISONING CASE Wilkes Barre, Pa* Maintenance - Helper IN REPLY We enclose a letter received from subject employee's physician, Er. Robert S. Strieker, under date of Nov ember 10, 1959 (actually December 10) received in this office today. This letter was written by Dr. Strieker after reading the laboratory report furnished by Dr. George P. Rouse, Philadelphia, Pa* We phoned Dr. Strieker to find out what recommendation he would make, and he stated he had not seen this emp loyee to treat him since he had these tests made* He further stated that^HHHHfc apparently is getting along fine, the wrist-drop is improving, and that no further action should be taken at this time* We refer this to you for your files, and any action you feel should be taken. end* CC H. A. Gidney Jr. /, u/ N13184.08 KE 0012817 Ro b e r t S. St r ic k e r , M. D. 521 CAREY AVENUE WILKES-BARRE, PA. PHONE: VA 3-0163 \v 10 November 1959 o DEC . ul CORPOlShvlC* O'/ Mr. S. J. Payne Gulf Oil Corporation, 226 Carey Ave,, Milkes-Barre, Pa. 31'Alexander Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Dear Mr. Payne: After reading the laboratory report on the blood and urine lead determinations of the above mentioned patient, I would like to point out that they are incomplete and probably of little actual value. In explanation of the above statement, I would like to point out that when hr first reported to me with a wrist drop, a^nroniclead poisoning was suspected. When we found that none -of the local laboratories were equipped to do lead determinations. It was suggested that perhaps the company would arrange to have these done out of town. In the meantime Mr. Mflm^was treated with as near daily injections of "6 mgms. !hiamine hydrochloride as his schedule permitted. The use of calcium to imobilize the lead in the soft tissues and circulating in the blood, was with-held until October 24th, in order to not affect the results of any tests that mi lit be done. However, on this date we started Calcium tablets in addition to the Thiamine injections and obtained prompt clinical response. This treatment would tend to store the circulating lead in the bones and thus render a blood level or urinary excretion level to normal. This, however could be used as a base line, and the determinations repeated after the administration of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), which would release some of the lead stored in the bones, into the circulation where it could be measured. However, it is now over two months since the occurrence of the wrist drop, and it is possible that even such a test done at this time would be of little significance. N13184.09 Sincerely yours. KE 00123 i 3 R. S. Strieker, M.D.