  We have determined the metallicity of the $z_{abs} = 1.0093$ damped Lyman
alpha system in the bright QSO EX 0302-223; this is only the third such
measurement at redshifts $z \simlt 1$. Unlike the previous two cases, we find
that the abundance of Zn is only a factor of $\sim 2$ lower than in the
Galactic interstellar medium today and is entirely compatible with the typical
metallicity of stars in the Milky Way disk at a look-back time of 9.5 Gyrs.
Although the galaxy responsible for producing the absorption system has yet to
be positively identified, our observations show that galaxies on a chemical
evolution path similar to that of the Milky Way do contribute to the damped
Lyman alpha population at intermediate redshifts. Cr is 2.5 times less abundant
than Zn, presumably because of depletion onto dust; however, the degree of
depletion is less severe than in diffuse interstellar clouds in the disk of our
Galaxy and in the Magellanic Clouds. Evidently, the interstellar environment in
damped Lyman alpha galaxies is less conducive to the formation and survival of
dust grains (and molecular hydrogen), but the physical processes at the root of
this effect have yet to be clarified.
