Document bB9vq6KGX3jKVXxjd9j2G43By

June 15, 1962 Mr. Robert L. Ziegfeld Lead Industries Association 292 Madison Avenue New York 17, N.Y. Dear Mr. Ziegfeld: I have been somewhat tardy in writing to you, because of several seemingly unavoidable matters that have intervened since our telephone conversation of last week. I have no hesitation, however, in expressing my view of the hygienic problem associated with the use of a lead-containing paint as a ground-coat for automobile bodies. It would be easier for me to envision the means by which the potential hazard of exposure to lead could be controlled if I were to know more about the manner in which the paint job would have to be done in a car-body assembly line. Despite my lack of such knowledge, I am convinced, nevertheless, that adequate control can be achieved. I am told that the paint would probably be applied by dipping the body of the car (or its parts) in the paint, rather than by spraying the bodies with paint. I am told, also, that the paint will have a relatively low concentration of lead in an aqueous medium. I would presume that some type of drying, or perhaps a "baking on" operation will follow the dipping. I fail to see why this should be difficult to handle. In short, I should say that if it is desirable, for technological reasons, to make use of a paint of high lead content for coating car bodies or for protecting them against corrosion, this should be done. The job of engineering required to free this procedure of a significant occupational hazard, with respect to the absorption of lead should not be difficult. I am of the opinion that there would be little hazard and that such as there is can be controlled easily. I would have to know a bit more about the situation before being sure of the soundness of this opinion. That is to say that it might turn out to be more difficult to eliminate the hazard than I have suggested. Certainly, however, it can be done. The problem should be looked at directly by a responsible production man, a good industrial hygiene engineer, and a competent doctor acting together, and I am sure that the means of dealing with it can readily be found. Kf 0014609 Mr. Robert L. Ziegfeld - 2- June 15, 1962 If it turns out that I can be of assistance to you or your people in this manner, do not hesitate to call upon me. Sincerely yours, Robert A. Kehoe, M. D. HAS;ss H E 0014510