ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE

October 13, 1982 EPRI

 

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
President

The Rockefeller University
1230 York Avenue

New York, New York 10021

Dear Josh: ©

We have discussed on several occasions EPRI's
interest in the scientific areas relating to the assessment
and management of low-level exposures from both physical and
chemical sources. As a follow-on to these discussions, would
you be willing to host a one-day preplanning meeting of
perhaps 10 - 12 people, including those from EPA and EPRI,
as well as others whom you select? EPRI will pick up travel
costs for those who otherwise would not be able to attend.
The purpose of such a meeting will be to develop a working
strategy for studying low-level risk issues, to identify
candidates for an advisory council for such a program, and
to consider mechanisms for broadening the base of funding.
EPRI will support such activities through an initial advisory
council meeting, and EPA has expressed a willingness to assist
with funding.

We are concerned with a variety of basic issues:
How can we know if low-level exposures imply low-level risks?
How should this issue be researched? What are the limits to
a scientific approach on these problems? The immediate task
is to translate these concerns into a set of researchable
tasks.

Of couse, these problems are not specific to the
electric utilities; they affect many industries, as well as
government agencies. Because of the common nature of these
problems, I believe that it is pointless for EPRI or the
utilities to work in isolation from the efforts of other
groups. The societal and political nature of aspects of the
problems also leads me to seek a wide group of participants
in the consideration of these issues. Our people have talked
with Betty Anderson at EPA, and have found common interests.
EPA is interested in participating in the work that evolves.

Headquarters: 3412 Hillview Avenue, Post Office Box 10412, Palo Alto, CA 94303 (415) 855-2000

Washington Office: 1800 Massachusetts Avenue, NW. Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 872-9222
Dr. Joshua Lederberg
October 13, 1982

Page 2

Following this meeting, an advisory council might
be assembled to identify and develop both objectives and
approaches to the issues. This group should include prominent
individuals representing a broad array of expertise and
interests. My hope is that you would agree to chair this
council, at least initially. The principal responsibility of
the council would be to assign responsibilities and review
the progress of several subpanels, working in the areas of
science, risk management, and communications.

If you would be willing to undertake these initial
responsibilities, we can discuss the arrangements that would
be best for you. If you have some other suggestion as to how
to proceed, please let me know.

Sincerely,

|

Chauncey Starr
Vice Chairman

cc E. Anderson, EPA