Document 38 
Office Of County Sxecuiive 
January 18, 1977 
Donald S. Fredrickson, M.D. 
Director 
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare 
Public Health Service 
National Institutes of Health 
Bethesda, MD 20014 
Dear Dr. Fredrickson: 
Montgomery County has completed its review of the NIH "Guidelines 
for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules" and the "Environmental 
Impact Statement." 
Our specific comments concur with the State of Maryland's assessment 
of the proposal : 
"P-4 containment would be employed as specified in the 
Guidelines for this class of infectious agents. If this 
is in fact the case, then the risks to the community and 
the environment are of extermely low probability." 
"With regard to the Environmental Impact Statement, it 
should be noted that containment needs to be strengthened 
for P-2 and P-3 facilities in particular. I would recommend 
that (1) P-2 facilities be required to contain a biological 
safety cabinet, and (2) In P-3 facilities the exhaust air 
should be filtered or incinerated and then discharged. 
Recirculation of exhaust air from biological safety cabinets 
should not be permitted. Otherwise, if the Guidelines are 
enforced and if recombinant DNA research with class 3 to 5 
infectious agents is prohibited, then significant personal 
and environmental consequences are remote, in my opinion, 
based on the present body of knowledge on the subject." 
The County appreciates being able to attend the Biomedical Hazards 
task force sessions and would like the opportunity to bring a representati 
of the State of Maryland, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, with 
us for those sessions appropriate for State oversight. 
We look forward to cooperating with NIH in this matter. 
[Editor's note: This letter has Cordially, 
been reviewed and included 
although it arrived after the 
closeout date for comments.] William H. HuSSmann 
Chief Administrative Officer 
cc: Dr. Solomon 
Dr. Lazar, Health Dept. 
Mr. Erickson, DEP 
Montgomery Counly, Maryland 
Appendix K — 183 
