Document 1gDv6wDwZ6Gq9yqq5DkOEmKbK

JEFFREY L ZELMS FRES'CEMT 3u.99-.7140 THE DOE RUN COMPANY suite 400 11885 LACKLAND ROAD ST. LOUIS. MO 63146-4236 TELEX 98-8554 FAX 314-991-7180 RECEIVED FEB 12I99Q r | r'ljYFTT February 3, 1990 Mr. William A. Humphrey, Chairman The Do Run Company Partnership Committee c/o Homestake Mining Company 650 California Street San Francisco, CA 94108 Dear Bill: As I mentioned at our Partnership Meeting of January 23, ve were aware of potential Senate Oversite Hearings on Lead. We have now confirmed these hearings, and I thought it appropriate to give you an update. I will in all probability be testifying as the Chairman of the Lead Industries Association (LIA). The hearings are tentatively scheduled for March 1, 1990. The hearing will be conducted by the Subcommittee on Environmental OversIte and Toxic Substances and will be chaired by Senator Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada. Other Senators involved will be Senator Max Baucus, Democrat from Montana; Senator Joseph Lieberman, Democrat from Connecticut; Senator John Warner, Republican from Virginia; and James Jeffords, Republican from Vermont. In general we will demonstrate the multiple uses and necessities for lead. Ve will emphasize that the problem areas under review were generated by an industry of the past. That current responsible members of the Industry are managing the environmental issues in a very successful fashion; and while we support the correction of past problems, current regulations, properly enforced, are sufficient to continue to stimulate improved emissions performance. We have had contact with four staff members representing Senators Reid and Lieberman who share in organization responsibilities for the hearings. The staff informs us that they have invited Dr. Keedleman (noted environmentalist on neurobehaviora1 difficulties caused by lead) to testify as well as witnesses from EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), HUD (Housing and Urban Development), and EDF (Environmental Defense Fund) to discuss a range of Issues: namely, o The Needleman study, a 1979 study on effects of lead in children with a recent follow-up published in December's New England Journal of Medicine. o A possible program for dealing with lead paint in deteriorated housing. o The extent to which lead in soil represents a problem in U.S. communities, particularly in urban areas of the Northeast as a result of lead-in-gasoline emissions. This and the following item would include an inquiry Into EFA's progress in studying lead poisoning In children as required by Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA). Mr. William A. Humphrey February 8, 1990 Page 2 o The extent to which lead in drinking water is a problem either because of EPA's failure to enforce the current MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level) or because of leaching from lead pipes. o EPA's treatment of the water cooler lead issue. The staff members indicated we would be given broad authority to address these and other issues, such as the essentiality of lead. They were surprised at our statement chat currant lead production lavcuvud iittla environmental exposure and invited us to demonstrate the point. The LIA is preparing briefing papers for submission into the record and use in testimony as required on the following: o Lead levels in children (around smelters and nationwide). o Lead based paint (in old houses and present uses -- bridges, etc.). o Lead's relationship to Neurobehavioral deficits in children. o Sources of lead around smelters, in the air (fallout and fugitive emissions) and in the soil. o Ambient air lead standard. o Lead in solid waste landfills. o Lead in incinerator ash. o Blood pressure questions, as related to lead, o Lead's effects on pregnant women (fetal exposure). o Lead as a carcinogen. o Issues in the Brooks Report (the need for primary lead, the need for solder, and the need for plastics stabilizers). o The recyclability of lead, particularly from batteries. o General population exposure to lead. o Reduction of environmental lead levels. o Lead in drinking water. The central theme of the LIA's position will be gratitude for the opportunity to testify and gratitude for the committee providing a forum for discussing important issues about lead in the environment. We will recognize that lead is a toxic material, but we will not appear defensive or apologetic for our product. We will demonstrate a sensitivity to the political pressure&that exist and with concerns being raised. Some of our major messages will be^he advances made as a result of the past efforts to remove major lead pollution: for example, ,Mr. William A. Humphrey February 8 1990 Page 3 o Phased removal of lead from gasoline and removal of lead based paints. o Description of the industry today domestically and internationally. We will tie to this the increased environmental awareness of today's industry. o Description of uses of lead including a color photograph brochure on lead products, what they are and where they are used. o Description of regulations now in place to limit lead in the environment. I will continue to keep you apprised of the situation. JLZ/llm cc: Paul W. Allen David K. Fagin Lee A. Graber Robert L. Guyett Les G. McCraw