February 19, 19706

Representative Paul CG. Rogers
Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Representative Rogers,

Please let me record sy unreserved support for the position
you have taken on the fleor of the house with respect to the abolition
of lead additives in gasoline.

I am particularly exercised by the negligent attitude thet the
proponents of these materials have been expreseing recently with respect
to the potential he&gth hazard of environmental lead. It may be true
that it has been very difficult to establish conclusively acute
population injury from airborn lead but this is only because we are
exposed to such a complex variety of environmental assaults in every
day living. That lack of precise information certainly can not be
translated into complacent assurances that lead can do no harm - we
know much better!

Appended to my enclosed article of January 17th I have a brief
bibliography that peints to gome recent information on lead toxicity.
In addition, even eaince that time there has been new work from Finland
which is particularly pertinent and of which I enclose a copy.

Please continue yeur good work.
Sincerely yours,

Joshua Lederberg
Professor of Genetics

IL/rr
enclosures

 

SISI0N 9 TMH