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In fact, according to our own estimates, a 150-lb. adult would have to eat more than 1,000 lbs. of cheese a day, every single day, to reach the observable effect level that was found in laboratory testing. To represent this one-sided advocacy as a health story was a disservice to your readers. COURTNEY M. PRICE VICE PRESIDENT Chemical Manufacturers Association Arlington, Va.
Your article used selective citation of the facts, disregarded contradictory science and omitted nonsupportive sources. The fact is, vinyl medical products have been used safely for more than 40 years. They have been subjected to decades of testing, and they have consistently delivered reliable service under the most demanding conditions, such as cardiac surgery, blood transfusions and kidney dialysis. You should have quoted the Food and Drug Administration on this issue. The FDA does not see this as a matter of pressing concern, nor do many other medical authorities whose views were not included in this piece. MARK A. SOFMAN MANAGER OF INDUSTRY AFFAIRS Vinyl Institute Washington
CLARIFICATION
TIME regrets that our report on concerns about plastics did not include the observations of scientists and public health groups that have found no significant risk of human health effects from the use of plastic softeners. We should have made it clear that the fears about ill effects are countered by strong evidence to the contrary.
EVIL ISN'T CANCELED OUT
Director Elia Kazan is like Nazi filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl: a great artist who did bad political deeds [CINEMA, March 8]. His art doesn't cancel out the evil he did in naming names of people who were involved with the Communist Party. Your writer Richard Schickel made the wrong argument in favor of Kazan's honorary Oscar. Schickel stated that Kazan's films are so good that they cancel out his misdeeds, saying history resists easy moralizing. The right argument is that Oscar should be about great art and cinematic achievement, and Kazan deserves the Oscar for that reason. MITCH GART Bedford, Mass.
Kazan named my father, filmmaker Leo Hurwitz, before the House Un-American Activities Committee. Those who were named before the committee as having been communists had their careers ruined. Was Kazan a great director? Without a doubt. But should he be awarded a special Oscar? Although my father was not called before HUAC, the mention of his name by Kazan and others was enough to end his career in television and studio films for more than 10 years. Thousands of others were victimized by those with whom Kazan actively sided. What might their achievements have been had they not been named? TOM HURWITZ Cinematographer of Dancemaker New York City
Biblical precedent suggests a compromise for the Kazan award dilemma. Present the great director with an Oscar that has a head, torso and legs of gold but feet of clay. J. DANIEL JOHNSON Camden, N.J.
REDESIGNS FOR NISSAN