Document 3NEM42q9jLBjnmjxrg2mjB566

MINUTES OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO STUDY LEAD POISONING Hotel Statler - Washington, D, C, - March 2h, 195U Present were* DR, JOHN H. FOULGER SANFORD J. HUL PAUL R. CRCLL T. J, MCDOWELL BRUCE HOMER FRANK R. PITT C. W. SLOCUM H. J, WHITSON Association Staff DANIEL L. BOLAND LCWELL A. ELLIOTT LOUIS FISHER LAURENCE KTEFSK THOMAS B. MECHLUiG JOHN C. MOORE The meeting was opened by Laurence Kiefer who explained that this special cook ndttee was formed because of the increased nation-wide interest in so-called lead poisoning and the activities of the American Standards Association in this con nection* Mr. Kiefer stated that Dr* John K, Foulger, Chairman of the Tcode Materials Committee and representative of the Association on the ASA Committee, would act as Chairman of the meetings Dr* Foulger stressed the importance establishing uniformity relative to labeling of paint rather than having individual states and municipalities pass legislation based upon an incomplete knowledge of the problem* Dr* Foulger stated that the American Standards Association Committee Z-66 is studying the danger to children in homes because of a request of the American Academy of Pediatries and that the American Medical Association intends to study hasards to children in homes from chemicals, including paint* He also stated that there was a definite necessity for considering many materials rather than limiting the investigation to lead* As an example of the type of legislation which may affect the industry. Dr* Foulger cited a Philadelphia ordnance which specifies that paint containing lead or benzol may not be sprayed by child labor* Mr* Boland reviewed the activities of the Association by citing the states and municipalities where adverse legislation has been proposed, and gave examples of the type of this legislation* He said tbs Association whenever possible investigates the causa of death where lead poisoning has been reported* Further, insofar as toys and nursery equipment are concerned the problem does not result from the Initial finish, but from repainting done by the homeomer* Legislation which has been propoeed does not cover the problem and public education is the real solution* Mr* Boland read a letter from Mr* Edward O'Toole of Chicago where the Board of Health is currently considering legislation relative to the labeling and use of lead paints* Mr* O'Toole expressed great interest in our meeting and wished to be advised of the results* John Moore gave an example of the type of investigation done by the Association on reported lead poisoning* Clarence Slocum reported vpaa the New York Board cf Health's efforts to define the amount of paint consumption necessary to causa lead poisoning* He pointed out that the difficulties included the number of coats of paint that have been previously placed upon a surface, some of which may have been on for many years N 3906 NCA DO 00440 and as a result may contain substantially more lead than current products* Sanford Hill reported upon the Manufacturing Chemist# Association labeling pro cedures and told of their publication on warning labels of hazardous chemicals* This was the basis for legislation adopted in states such as California and Illinois* As a result, these states have mere or less uniform legislation on labeling* He further stated that the warning label manual prepared by the Manufacturing Chemists'Association should be considered by any group considering labeling procedures* The policies expressed in this book could be easily adapted to the paint industry* Also, that the Chemical Specialities Manu facturers' Association is considering the problem of labeling household packages and hoped that the National Faint, Varnish and Lacquer Association will support the program of the Manufacturing Chemists' Association rather than setting up new procedures* In this connection he spoke of a paper to be presented by the Chemical Specialities Manufacturers' Association at their May 2U meeting relative to copy for labels* He feels that this will be of great assistance to those con cerned with preparation of copy far household packages labeling* Clarence Slocum reported an the last meeting of the Z-66 Committee American Standards Association* He said that the initial work had been concerned with selecting pigments, vehicles, solvents and driers which were considered non-toxie and it was proposed to suggest these as materials which might be labeled as suitable for toys and nursery furniture use* He believes that the recommendations of the sub-committee will be presented to the Z-66 Committee before the end of the year* Dr* Foulger then asked the members of the special cosmittee whether or not in their opinions a problem existed and if so what this problem was* Mr* Pitt said that inasmuch as legislation is proposed each year in several states and munici palities it seems essential that some reasonable labeling program be established* Mr* Whitson stated that the problem of toxicity should not be confined to lead because there are other materials which are hazardous and that while diagnosis has been made in many cases of death due to lead poisoning he feels that there is some questions as to the accuracy of the diagnosis* Dr* Foulger confirmed the opinion that there is often a tendency by the attending physician to diagnose lead poisoning without adequate analysis* Mr* Pitt agreed that other materials were inportant as far as hazards were concerned and said that this was particularly' true of the so-called odorless thisners which recently had been the cause of Increases in industrial accidents* Dr* Foulger confirmed this problem* Mr* Boland said there are two approaches to any labeling program* The affirmative approach, where the label states that the material is safe to use under certain circumstances, brings the problem of product liability to the fore* The negative approach, where the hazards are pointed out to the consumer, brings the problem of negligence* Specifically this amounts to determining if enough has been done In stating the hazard present to relieve the producer or manufacturer of lia bility* Mr* Boland stated that In his opinion the negative approach is by far the better Insofar as the legal aspect is concerned* Mr* Moore stated that labeling a product as to its contents is nert a sure answer to the problem* Actually testing the material In its final state i*e* the dried film, is the only way to determine what toxicity exists* Dr* Foulger confirmed Mr* Moore's statement* NCA no 00441 * 3 Mr* Pitt spoke in favor of accepting the recommendations of the Z-66 Committee relative to lead poisoning of children since the establishment of a standard tends to eliminate claims or agitation for legislation* Sr* Foulger said that while he and the other members of the sub-ccomittee cer tainly would do all possible to prevent the 2-66 Connlttee from recaauendlng any standards which are not workable, the program finally adopted would depend upon the majority vote* He said that the membership of the 2-66 Cccmdttee is very heterogeneous and that the majority of them are not well informed on the subject* In his opinion it is most necessary that the Association establish a committee to study this problem at the same time as the American Standards Association committee and be prepared to present a eolation to the problem in the event the Z-^6 Committee does not see fit to follow the suggestions and recommendations of the Z-66 Sub-Committee* He farther stated that the problem of labeling is so important that he feels there is a definite need of a standing committee to look into the total question rather than it to lead* Dr* Foulger recommended* that a standing committee be farmed by the Association to investigate the total question of precautionary labeling, that the specific question of lead poisoning of children be studied, that the work of the 2-66 Sub-Committee be followed to make sure that the interests of the industry are protected* He believes the most serious problem is that of odorless thinners* He suggested that the Association caanittee if appointed he composed of technical men, management, labeling experts and attorneys* It is the unanimous feeling of the special committee that this Association com mittee be farmed and immediately investigate the entire labeling problem* The special committee adjourned at 2(00 P*M Respectfully submitted. NCA 00 00442