Document ZJr3GK2B5Qy7zrRqjGN5zG7vY

SE JOE MINERALS CORPORATION 230 PARK AVENUE . NEW YORK. N. Y. 10017 J. c. Duncan TO: D . B. Craig P. B. Nalle C. E. Barnett R. W. Peckham J. W. Sherman J. G. Sevick G. E. Welch date: D. H. Beilstein v/ September 30, 1974 From: L. K. Wheelock File Ref: SUBJECT: Lead in the Environment The widespread publicity concerning alleged lead poisoning of children near Bunker Hill* s Kellogg lead smelter ( and the earlier similar problem at ASARC0's El Paso plant) led to a review of our situation and an outline of appropriate response to possible inquiries or requests for comments: 1. We have no knowledge or evidence of incidents of high lead content in blood of children or residents of Herculaneum and nearby communities. 2. Herculaneum was one of the first lead smelters to introduce stack effluent dust control (lead in stack dust is the principal source for lead in the soil and air in the vicinity of smelters). Our first baghouse was installed in 1910 and since then we have continuously improved dust control systems culminating in a new $5 million bag installation in 1973. We are currently in compliance with Missouri air standards for emission of particulates. 3. The conditions at Herculaneum are less conducive to undesirable dust accumulations in the smelter vicinity than is the case in the more arid western locations: a. There is substantial annual precipitation. b. Prevailing winds are southeast and generally in opposite direction from the residential areas*.. c- There is lush vegetation in the area and few uncovered dusty lots and yards. d. The topography does not provide conditions that lead to serious temperature inversions. 4. We have been in touch with local and state authorities offering our complete cooperation in any study or testing that might be initiated. We are prepared to conduct lead analyses in our laboratories for anyone 3402525 Memo on Lead in the Environment Page 2 September 30, 1974 in the community and offer our facilities for use in any monitoring program conducted by state or local health organizations (Note -- it is recognized that only our official government agency could conduct a program of blood testing among children, particularly in the critical age period of 1 1/2 to 5 years). We believe that there are high standards of personal hygiene in the nearby communities reducing the opportunities for poison ing through ingestion of soil, a common problem in the El Paso and Kellogg cases. John Sherman has been in touch with the County Health Department -- William Gemme, Environmental Health Officer -- who did not appear well informed on the issue. Additionally, John will discuss the matter with the Health Officer, Dr. Frank Kozal, and offer cooperation in any survey program. John has also reviewed the subject with Harvey Shell of the Missouri Air Conservation Commission who did not believe there was a serious problem in Missouri. He indicated that some blood samples had been checked for lead and were reported as negative. Since we know nothing about the specifics of this, it should not be mentioned. Missouri authorities (State Health Department, Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Control, etc.) are considering a regular monitoring program of all smelter locations and our cooperation was offered. Shell was also aware of the point made 'by John that lead is added to the soil near roads where they use granulated slag from Herculaneum for ice control during the winter. Even though most of such lead content is not available for biological systems, analyses of lead content might show undesirable results in terms of total lead contents We have suggested that John suspend deliveries or at least strongly discourage further use of Herculaneum slag for road use. nn ^402526