Document NxyL517ZZnOZQ41Mnwxwkoog

ETHYL CORPORATION lOO PARK AVENUE N E W Y O R K , N. Y. 1 0 0 1 7 December 10, 196k Memorandum to Messrs. R. K. Scales Don Fowler H. E. Hesselberg P. V. Higgins L. L. Huxtable R. A. KehoevX G. Roush, Jr. Jack Sabina Gentlemen: I am attaching the first draft of a proposed statement to he issued if circumstances necessitate. This has been written largely on the basis that the Patterson position will be confined to lead studies of the ocean and glacial ice, together with his interpretation of its ultimate effect. . If, however, his approach is based on an attack of Dr. Kehoe's methodology, we have a different factor to consider. I feel certain that we have a strong, answer in that regard. It may also be possible that the Patterson paper will refer to the ocean and ice problem only in passing, and that his main approach will be air pollution itself. This I cannot conceive at the present time for as far as I know it will be devoid of any factual study on his part and be purely a matter of interpretation. . At any rate, this is a first draft which has been cleared with Paul Higgins. We have left the name of the spokesman out, but I would strongly recommend that we use Don Fowler's name, particularly in view of his title as Director of Health and Safety. JEB:w Attch. K 0073 o N9560 12/10/ 6k \ \ New York-- The geological findings of Clare C. Patterson, of the California Institute of Technology, as to the distribution of lead particles " throughout the strata of the oceans and the earth may he of academic interest, hut they have no real hearing on the public health aspects of metallic lead, _____ ______________ , of the Lead Industries Association, declared here today. Mr. ______________ *s statement was made in the light of the current publicity given Mr. PattersonTs work in Los Angeles. ,fThe Patterson findings," Mr. ____________ pointed out, "are based on his own geological studies of the occurrence of lead-particles-throughout the oceans and the earth. It is difficult to see how geological findings can be interpreted in biological terms unless it is done by recognized medical authori ties." "All of the accepted medical evidence,"he declared, "proves conclusively that the amount of lead particles to which the public is exposed-- whether in the air they breathe or in the food and beverages they consume-- is well within recognized limits of safety. Antiknock compounds," he poihted out, "contribute only a portion of the total amount of lead particles found in the atmosphere. Other sources," he said, "include the combustion of wood, coal and vegetable matter; lead in the soil; and man-made products containing lead. Furthermore, comprehensive medical studies have shown that there is no significant accumulation of lead in the human body over the years, which is the basic criterion. The mass of evidence proves conclusively that lead is not a significant factor in air pollution and represents no public health problem in any way." "This assurance of safety," Mr. ___________ continued, "rests not only upon Independent public health studies hut also upon approximately to years of K 0007024 * N9560.01 -2- physiological research conducted at the Kettering Laboratory in the College of Medicine at the University of Cincinnati. This work was conducted under the direction of Dr. Robert A. Kehoe, a recognized world authority on the medical aspects of environmental lead, and it has been endorsed by the oil and chemical industries as well as by the lead consuming industries. In addition, Mr. ______________ said, extensive atmosphere investi gations, conducted over the last five years in conjunction with federal and state public health authorities, reveals no potentially hazardous lead levels either in Los Angeles or anywhere else in the United States. In the light of this great weight of medical evidence, Mr. _________ said, the public can rest assured that metallic lead constitutes no public health problem. ' 0 Ou ( o ',L? \