Document 99MYRp0NwrQegZRwb9qpd5p63

Excerpts fran letter dated June 3, 195U Dr. Hervey B. llkins, Chief of Laboratory, Mass. Division cf Occupational Hygiene, to Manfred Bcwditch i!<hat I am really writing to you about is the question of what may be called prophylactic use cf rDTA in lead workers. I think w e are all agreed that the use of this drug is, at present, justifed not only in acute cases of pluabisra as is frequently found in children,' but also in industrial cases which are to a large degree chronic. There is now talk, and I am not sure that it is not more than talk, of giving l DTA to workers who have no clinical symptoms of lead intoxication but who shew blood changes, increased coproporphyria, or possibly who have merely increased urinary or blood lead levels. Those employees would be treated without being removed from lead exposure. Another step would be to give all workers with harmful lead exposure similar treatment. A further step would be to give the EDTA to all indi viduals with but potential lead exposure. Finally, it might be added as an enriching ingredient to br.??.r? or even put in water supplies. . . . . . it seems to me that a line should be drawn somewhere and the thing that worries me is not so much where the line should be drawn as who will draw it. Should it be the medical profession, government agencies, or should we look to your eganizaiion for guidance? I would be greatly interested in your thoughts on this matter. I have a hunch tiiat it may be taken up, to some extent, at the A M meeting in San Francisco. At the moment 1 forget whether cr not you are planning to attend that event. Our physician, Dr; Droadhurst hopes to be there, but in any event, your opinion, .both because of your experience, knowledge, and affiliation would be most valuable. K* 0006171