DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
SOCIAL. AND REHABILITATION SERVICE

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20201
CHILDREN’S BUREAU

February 24, 1969

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
c/o The Washington Post
1515 L Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005

Dear Dr. Lederberg:

Your article in the Washington Post on February 22 regarding the hazards
of leaded gasoline was, as usual, informative and constructive. One
sentence, however, was not entirely correct!

“Until lead~based paints were restricted, there were many
cases of brain damage to young children who had nibbled
the paint from peeling walls and toys."

Despite the restrictions on the use of lead-based paint and the wider
use of paint free of lead, lead poisoning in children is still a serious
problem. Children in slum areas eat the old lead paint still on walls
and woodwork, with resultant mental retardation and other undesirable
consequences.

Some materials on this subject are enclosed. Since preparation of the
Children's Bureau publication by Dr. Lin-Fu, new data have become
available, particularly in Chicago and Boston, on the extent of the problem.

I know that if you deal with this subject again, you will want to be
aware of the hazard to children that still results from old lead paint.

Sincerely yours,

Ga I bok if

(Mrs.) Clara G. Schiffer
Program Analyst
Division of Health Services

Enclosures (3)