Document mmaYnao04Yq1k11qpeV0KG7od

EDWARD M. KENNEDY MASSACHUSETTS QlCnileb .ikenaie WASHINGTON, O.C. 20510 February 3, 1971 Dr. John A. Zapp E.I. DuPbnt de Nemours & Company Wilmington, Delaware Dear Dr. Zapp: Thank you for writing to me about the problems of childhood lead poisoning. I first became aware of the criticel need for legislation in this area of health care in the Ftell of 1969 when I learned that over 200 children die from this disease each year - and as many as 300,000 children suffer from lead sickness. But our health cere system has not adequately responded to the need to improve these conditions. After introducing in the Senate, a bill designed to provide assis tance to combat this disease, I sat in hearings with members of the Senate Health Subcommittee last Fall gathering information for the development of an adequate legislative package. Health officials reported that with fed eral assistance, local communities would be better prepered to begin pro grams that would seek out youngsters elready sickened with leed poisoning and provide treatment for them. Because medical histories show that even efter treatment youngsters ere likely to be poisoned again, we adopted legislation that euthorizes pro grams to eliminate leed painted surfaces from exposure in the homes of young children found to- be sick. With a view toward preventing the development of widespread lead poisoning in the future - this measure also prohibits the use of lead based paints in any federally assisted rehabilitation or construction of residences. Congressional approval of-..this measure wes obtained December 29, 1970 end the Lead Based Paint Foisoning Prevention Act, P.L. 91-9^5 became law January 14, 1971. This important legislation properly marks anothef assault in the con tinuing battle to provide adequate health safeguards for all of our citizens. I am hopeful that we shall soon see an end to the hazards of lead based paint poisoning. tion. Thank you for sharing with me your interest in this important legisle RECEIVED FtB i 6 1971 * Sincerely, U/ # Edward M. Kennedy - HASKELL LABORATORY DUP 000342