GORSUCH CAVES IN

The EPA's refusal to rescind the lead-in-gasoline regulations is a shocking case of political expediency. Make no mistake about the silly "cost vs. benefits" non-issue [AtE July 82]; this is a classical case of politically motivated government regulation without genuine health concerns.

The alleged fight of the profit-greedy petroleum industry against the environmentalist knights defending children from lead poisoning was a media hoax. What we had here was a bunch of refiners and blenders wrestling for this or that advantage in the regulations, the environmentalists riding to glory on yet another red herring, and the EPA polishing its image before the upcoming elections. What united the three parties in their quest for such different goals was their common cynicism with which they ignored the scientific data.

The facts on the health effects of lead are simple and not seriously disputed: In sufficient quantity, lead is indeed a serious health hazard; but solid scientific evidence shows that this hazard comes overwhelmingly from sources other than gasoline. This evidence was never disputed by the EPA; it was simply ignored.

Is there then no significant difference between Reagan's and Carters EPA? Of course there is: Nobody expected any better from Carter's EPA.