Document MMVReQeyaVDRvXvkKKNQDKROL

CORPORATE OFFICES ONE ERIEVIEW PLAZA CLEVELAND. OHIO 44114 U.S.A. TELEPHONE: 216 641-8 680 TELEX 98-0165 February 17, 1971 P Dr. Robert deTrevills Industrial Health Foundation, Incorporated 9231 Center Avenue Pittsburgh, Fejumyl-raaia 15S32 Dmt Bob, I very naoh appreciate yours of February 15, 1971, dealing with a quote in the Industrial Hygiene Digest with reference to the pottery safe lead release. I was gratified to note "your offer to take correcting action etc". I aa sending a copy of this to Jarose F. Soith of Lead Indus tries . I believe he vill take no action. Here Is the background, on the situation. At the time of the publication the Halted State# Potters Association were approving lead release according to a precise test, they vere actually approving parts par Billloo or Isas. There was a "limited-approval" applied to lead release between k and 7 pasta per Billion. The United-approval included among other notification of the manufacturer that the aatarlal should be re-engineered etc. I aa aura you already gueesad, that various afforta to condense the prsalse activity resulted in the casual reference to the U.S.P.A. program as 7 parts par Million is okay. I was in the /uaiqua position of being required to deal with this belief on the average- Of once a week from people all over the world* There were cntHgplRnr difficulties created X cm sure by individuals who did not bother to gat the "whole story". Very recently a major (dungs has taken plaee. The FDA bee LlA-77 006 Page 2 - continued Dr. Hobart deTreeille February 17# 1971 uk*d tbs Ualted States Potter* Association to modify their standards using os * basis for their request the results obtained fran a eoaqplstely different testing technique. Tcnorrov and the next day the world will be officially notified of the USPA action which tends to cut their criteria, or results, in sjosatly half. So, the 7 porta per million becamea 3-1/2 and presunably the k porta par Million becomes 2. I now submit that the lees sold the better in offlelal publica tions such as yours end the Pittsburgh Safety Council. Jerry Saith will get a kick out of this because the difference between 2 end 3-1/2 parts per Million is not a wary great "room for a asrgin of error". So I believe that eotsswher* along the line the analytical chemists will moke sons further adjustments when they decide to play the ambers game again. Best personal regards. KKFtlk ocs J. T. biith-Lead Industries Bussell V. Frank Corporate Safety Director