Document a1yQXd9EZ0kDZZdnq4j2pEMoB

BUREAU OF STATE SERVI CES D EPA RTM EN T O F H EALTH , EDUCATI ON, AND W ELFA RE P U B LIC H E A L T H S ER V IC E WASHINGTON, D.C. 20201 REFER TO: JAN 3 ] q66 Robert:A. Kehoe, M. D. The Kettering Laboratory Department of Preventive Medicine and Industrial Health University of Cincinnati Eden Avenue Cincinnati 19, Ohio D ear Bob: I read with considerable interest your letter of December 22, 1965, regarding a possible explanation for the elevated levels of lead found in the blood of eleven persons in the Three Cities Survey. ^ I believe we share the view that these reported levels should be checked for the possibility of sampling or analytical error or un usual exposure to lead. In the absence of one of these possibili ties, there is the likelihood that for some persons in the general population the lead concentration in the blood would reach a level which is "indicative of potentially dangerous absorption of lead." Your suggestion that the possibility be investigated of a previous unusual exposure to lead among those who reported elevated levels in the survey is a good one. I take your other suggestion to mean that when these people are located, if they can be, that new blood samples be taken to verify the levels previously reported. I have asked Dr. Horton's group to look into the possibility of doing both of these things. It would be very comforting for me to be as confident as you imply that all segments of the general population are safe, from undue lead exposure. However, at the moment, I feel that we must continue to be concerned that this may no longer be the case until the matter can be further clarified. Sincerely yours K ( \ -I i ` s ' A UIC&H V. G. MacKenzie, Chief Division of Air Pollution N24971