Document MpeRjo1K93NjbEz5rZBXgeNa

292 Madtoon Avenue New York, N. V. 10017 Telephone: (212) 679-6020 y VISIT REPORT Date: February 10, 1972 Location: U.S. Potters Association, East Liverpool, Ohio Visit by: Jerome F. Smith Report by Jerome F. Smith Purpose: Coordinate activities and discuss response to proposed Bill limiting lead release from pottery. Attending: J. M. Wells, President - Homer Laughlin China Co. President - U.S. Potters Association John T. Hall, President - Hall China Company William L. Smith, President - Taylor, Smith & Taylor Co. B. W. Merwin, Chairman, U.S.P.A. Research Committee Chief Ceramic Engineer - Hall China Co. C. M. Lampman, Ceramic Engineer - Homer Laughlin China Co. Ralph L. Gibson, Director of Ceramics - Taylor, Smith & Taylor Co. J. S. Nordyke, V.P. Sales - Hammond lead Products J. F. Smith, Secretary & Manager - lead Industries Association / / / Copies of Rep. Horton's Bill H.R. 129S8; the press releases of Rep. Horton and Sen. Schweiker, and the UPI pickup were distributed. A review of the Bill followed, and these points were established: 1. In the U.S., the universally employed test for lead release is FDA LIB-834. The Canadian test for lead release from pottery--not the FDA test (LIB-834), is the test method now proposed in the Bill. A jji Lift-76895 ~'T7i jaw. February 10, 1972 Visit U.S. Potters Association 2. Limitations on lead release should apply to food contact surfaces only. 3. The Bill does not appear to embrace a major problem area, that is, hobby and art pottery. 4. The labeling provisions in the law. would apparently work considerable hardship (and in some cases may even be impossible) for the industry--and again, it would not apply . to the type of anonymous pottery created by the art potter. 5. Regarding the educational program, iL is felt that the Lead Industries Association, the pottery industry through the USPA, and more recently even the FDA, have made significant strides in educating and alerting the public to the dangers inherent in poorly glazed ceramic products designed for food and beverage use. A knowledge of these facts would appear to be lacking since the authors of the Bill felt it necessary to adopt the Canadian test and labeling provisions. I told those present that LIA, through our Executive Vice President, Mr. Robinson, had written to Messrs. Horton and Schweiker to request a meeting in order to review our industry's contributions in the field over the past 10 years. It was agreed that each group, that is, USPA and LIA, would approach either the Congressman and Senator or their legislative assistants independently. LIA's main thrust would be aimed at making the authors of the Bill better informed about the efforts and background of the lead industry, while the Potters would primarily work their efforts to have the labeling provisions modified. Jointly, both groups could suggest a means for making the Bill more effective in the area of hobby and art pottery. It is assumed that the FDA will work on changes in the test method. t i ( LIA-76896