March 11, 1970

Dr. A.J. Haagen-Smit
Chairman

Air Resources Control Board
Sacramento, California

Dear Dr. Haagen-Smit,

I read that you have been conducting hearings on lead- containing
gasoline additives. In my view the potential health hazards of atmospheric
lead have been grossly underplayed in the representations by automotive
and pe@roleum industries alike. I take the liberty of enclosing some
thoughts on the question. It ig true that none of the indicated literature
gives unequivocal evidence of direct hazard to human health at the
concentrations ordinarily encountered.

I would, however, also like to draw you attention to a very recent
report from Helsinki giving strong evidence of a very considerable inhibition
of red cell enzymes by rather modest levels of lead compared to those found
in usual urban populations. As the authors point out the pathological
significance of this enzyme inhibition is still unsettled but this information
ean hardly be overlooked in an assessment of the potential hazards. It should
also be hardly necessary to point out the grim possibilities of interaction
of biochemical effect from this source with those from many others in the
environment.

Sincerely yours,

Joshua Lederberg
Professor of Genetics

JL/rr
Enclosures

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