Document x1X6kX4no29OKaoBQ18ZRE3m0

JACKSONVILLE MIAMI HUnriba j>iate Inarh of Itealllj WILSON T. SOWDER. M.D.. M.P.H.. STATE HEALTH OFFICER POST OFFICE SOX 210 3UREAU OF PREVENTABLE DISEASES R. F. SONOAG. M.D. DIRECTOR JACKSONVILLE 1 Novembe r 7, 1949 DIVISIONS VENEREAL DISEASE CONTROL INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE CANCER CONTROL Dr. Robert A. Kehoe , Director Kettering Laboratory of Applied Physiology University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio Dear Doctor Kehoe: Day I trouble you for any suggestions you might have in dealing with a problem which is new to us and which has just come up. It relates to the cleaning of tanks in airplane hangars. Eastern Airlines in Miami undertook this job recently after consultation with the Ethyl Corporation of America. As part of the check on the men employed in the job, our laboratory did urine lead determinations. We have no details as to the lengths of exposure and so far the engineers of the Ethyl Corporation have not reported any results of their air samples taken in these tanks. Our results have shovcn some general increase in lead absorption, the highest being 0.12 mg. per liter. Vie have sat this up for the future on a rather different basis. From now on we will take samples both before and after the men engage in this job. The tanks are blown out with air for a long period before the men enter and then each man is given a supplied air respirator. Excellent washing facilities are supplied. Because of the small openings and the high temperatures it is not feasible to have the men wear rubber suits. Has any work been done before on this type exposure and if so xvould you be kind enough to let us know the results? We are particularly anxious to help these people because they have always been cooperative and because their Medical Director, Dr. H. K. Edwards, 1714 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, is very keenly interested in protecting the health of the employees of this organization. Any information or suggestions will be greatly apprec iated. I had hoped to be at the Southern Medical Association meeting in Cincinnati and expected to have a change to talk over this problem with you. However, that trip had to be canceled, hence I am contacting you by letter. With best personal good wishes, I am N9617 John M. McDonald, M.D., Director