Document wgE4m4oxb02YjZpMmLj64d28Q

June 25, 1968 Mr. D. EL Park, Supervisor Mfg. Technical Services Ethyl Corporation P.0. Box #341 Baton Rouge, La. 70821 Dear Don: I am returning to you, herewith, Dr. First's report, which I have examined with intense interest. I can understand why you and Mr. Jones (and others, I believe) have been greatly impressed by his careful analysis of the situation, and by his specific as well as general advice. I would hot presume to pass upon the recommendations and the bits of specific advice which he has proffered in relation to technical matters, although I recognize that he has greatly improved upon some of the advice that I have offered over the years by putting it forth in detailed and often quantitative terms. In many other matters, as would be expected, he has seen much farther and moire accurately than I have been able to do. His contribution is a very significant one, in having given direction and emphasis to a continuous program of checking and maintaining the high quality of environmental control, which should operate routinely; following the completion of immediate corrective measures. There ar4 two recommendations in the report, concerning a matter of policy, on one hand, and one of hygienically oriented procedure, on the other, on which I wish to comment, both to you and to others in management activities. The one has to do with securing the services of an industrial hygiene engineer to devote full time to environmental problems. The other, which I regard as a suggestion for examination, rather than a recommendation to follow literally, relates to training operating personnel to Judge the severity of the contamination of the air with TEL or TML through their sense of smell. As to an industrial hygiene engineer at Baton Rouge, the principle is indeed sound, and the matter requires careful consideration. It is not a question of employing such a person, but of finding the right person, and then determining his place in the organization. There is not only the question of Baton Rouge, but of all of the other manufacturing installations. Serious thought and exchanges of thought among those most concerned will be required to develop the idea and to apply it in an effective manner within the Corporation. For one thing, an appropriate working relationship between such a person (or persons) and the medical department will have to be developed. How this is to be done and what theorganizational pattern should be is at issue. Industrial organizations have been struggling with this problem (or ignoring it) for many years, and there are almost as many arrangements as there are companies concerned. I happen to have some very definite ideas on this subject as the result of experience in the field, and as a matter of professional training. In the matter of training the olfactory apparatus of operating personnel, as a means of appraising and acting on the danger of absorbing TEL or TML from the air, I think I can say fairly categorically that this is not a practical procedure. The action \ Mr. D. E. Park Page 2 June 25, 1968 which we have advocated in the past is a much better one, namely that when one smells TEL or TML he is absorbing it, and should take the steps best suited (under the circumstance) to the termination of the exposure. The reasons for this viewpoint are in the realm of physiology, plus the knowledge obtained from many years of experience with workmen. I shall be glad to discuss the matter in such details as may be necessary at the proper time. - This brings me to suggest that 1 have thought it desirable to have another meeting with the group that came to Cincinnati for our first meeting, as soon as I can get the substance of my report assembled. X wonder what you and Frank McCoy think of this idea, and of when and where we should meet. I'd like to complete this task at least for the present, before August first, and if it would be an advantage for all concerned, I'll be willing to meet wherever you decide. Will you talk with Frank and one of you let me know your views.? Cordially yours, RiK:wp Robert A. Kehoe, M.D. Professor Emeritus of Occupational Medicine P.S. I am not certain whether you wish me to return the memoranda wwhhiicchh yyoouu supplied to me with Dr. First's report, or whether I may keep them. I shall not need them indefinitely, of course, but they are instructive aatt pprreesseenntt. Unless you inform me to the contrary, X shall retain them now and return them later. RAX