Document 9JVGg5BMQQ027bO93y88bn4Z5
FILE NAME: Phenolic Resins (PHR) DATE: 2004 June 3 DOC#: PHR025 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Legal - Deposition of Marjorie A. Drucker, Vol. 1
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I2 SUPREME COURT: ALL COUNTIES WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK
IN RE:
NEW YORK STATE ASBESTOS LITIGATION
DEPOSITION UNDER
ORAL EXAMINATION
OF
MARJORIE A. DRUCKER
This Document Applies To:
FRANK CAMPA -
Index N o .: 109449/03
ALEX RENOW -
Index No.: 106444/03
RONALD SPINELLI Index N o .: 109214/03
MARVIN ZATZ -
Index N o .: 103644/03
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING SERVICES, INC. 899 Manor Road
Staten Island, NY 10314 (718) 983-1234
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
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2 3 4 Transcript of the deposition of the 5 witness, called for Oral Examination in the 6 above-captioned matter, said deposition being 7 taken pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil 8 Procedure by and before ELEANOR SEKULIC, a 9 Notary Public and Shorthand Reporter, at the 10 Offices of SEDGWICK, DETERT, MORAN & ARNOLD, 11 ESQS., 125 Broad Street, 39th Floor, New York, 12 New York, on Thursday, June 3,2004, commencing 13 at 9:55 a.m. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
I N D E X T O W i r NESSES:
WITNESS:
EXAMINATION:
PAGE:
Maijorie A. Drucker Mr. Kristal - Direct 6
INDEX NUMBER. P-Drucker-1 P-Drucker-2 P-Drucker-3 P-Drucker-4 P-Drucker-5 P-Drucker-6 P-Drucker-7
TO EXHIBITS:
DESCRIPTION:
PAGE:
2-Page Letter 5/19/04 6
Resume
122
Asbestos Library Catalog 180
Various Documents 216
Various Documents 216
Videotape
226
Handwritten Note
227
INFORMATION AND/OR DOCUMENTS REQUESTED:
10 REQUEST:
PAGE/LINE:
Copy of Newspaper Column
128/3
Copy of Newspaper Article
129/25
List of Contacts
155/2
12 List
181/16
GE's Answers to Interrogatories 185/4
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APPEARANCES:
WEITZ & LUXENBERG, PC ISO Maiden Lane, 17th Floor New York, New York 10038 By: JERRY KRISTAL, ESQ. Attorneys for the Plaintiffs SPEZIALI, GREENWALD & HAWKINS
1081 Winslow Road, Box 1086 Williantstown, New Jersey 08094 By: DAVID SPEZIALI Attorney for the Defendant General Electric SIDLEY, AUSTIN, BROWN & WOOD, LLP Bank One Plaza 10 S. Dearborn Street Chicago, Illinois 60603 By: TIMOTHY E. KAPSHANDY, ESQ Attorneys for the Defendant General Electnc
1 12 MALABY, CARLISLE & BRADLEY, LLC
150 Broadway New York, New York 10038
By: MICHELLE DULUC, ESQ.
Attorneys for the Defendants I 15 Viacom, Weil-McLain and Warren Pumps
16 FLEMMING, ZULACK& WILLIAMSON, ESQS.
One Liberty Plaza New York, New York By: SCOTT EMERY, ESQ. 18 Attorneys for the Defendant Goodyear 19 ANDERSON, KILL &OLICK, PC 1251 Avenue o f the Americas I 20 New York,NewY ork 10020 By: GARY CASIMIR, ESQ. Attorneys for the Defendants Amchem and Union Carbide I 22 PEHLIVANIAN & BRAATEN, LLC 23 Paynters Ridge Office Park 2430 Route 34 24 Manasquan, New Jersey 07836 By: CLAUDIA SOLIS, ESQ , O f Counsel 25 Attorneys for the Defendant Dresser-Rand
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STIPULATIONS
5
IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED AND AGREED by and
6 among the attorneys for the respective parties
7 herein that the sealing, filing and
8 certification o f the within Examination Before
9 Trial be waived; that all objections, except as
10 to form, are reserved to the time o f trial;
11
That the transcript may be signed before
12 any Notary Public with the same force and effect
13 as if signed before a Clerk or Judge o f the
14 Court;
15
That this Examination Before Trial may be
16 utilized for all purposes as provided by the
17 CPLR;
18
That all rights provided to all parties by
19 the CPLR shall not be deemed waived and the
20 appropriate sections o f the CPLR shall be
21 controlling with respect thereto.
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2 (Pages 2 to 5)
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Matjorie A. Drucker - Direct
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 M A R J O R I E A. D R U C K E R , having been 3 first duly sworn according to law by the Court
2 that case in it? 3 A. Well, specifically with regard to
4 Reporter, testifies as follows:
4 this case, I don't have a file.
5
5 Q. Okay. Do you maintain billing
;
6 DIRECT EXAMINATION BY
6 records?
7 MR. KRISTAL:
7 A. As part of my practice, yes, I keep
:
8 Q. Good morning, Ms. Drucker. How are
8 track of my time and I maintain records for
9 you?
9 billing purposes.
i
10 A. Good morning. Very well, thank you.
10 Q. Okay. So you have a billing record
11 Q. As I told you a few minutes ago, my
11 for this case, or these cases?
;
12 name is Jerry Kristal. I represent Campa, Renow,
12 A. As far as specifically with these
13 Zatz and Roth who have brought cases alleging
13 cases, I have not broken out really specifically
14 that their mesotheliomas were caused by asbestos
14 directed to these matters.
;
15 exposure and sued a number of different 16 companies. I assume you understand that? 17 A. Yes.
15 Q. Okay. When were you first contacted
16 by GE in terms of whether or not you want to be
;
17 engaged as a legal consultant with respect to
18 Q. Let me take care of some 19 housekeeping. I'm marking as Drucker 1 the May
18 the subject matters that you're going to be 19 testifying to in these cases, when were you
20 19th, 2004 disclosure of Ms. Drucker as a
21 witness.
22
(Whereupon, Two-Page Letter 5/19/01
23 is marked Plaintiffs Drucker Exhibit 1 For
24 Identification.)
25 Q. Ms. Drucker, have you seen that
20 generally first approached? 21 A. Toward the latter part of September 22 of last year I was contacted by Mr. Kapshandy 23 and spoke to him in general about similar issues 24 in regard to cases such as these. 25 Q. Do you have a file? I'm sorry.
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 before?
3
(Whereupon, the witness peruses the
4 document.)
5 A. Yes, I have.
6 Q. Okay. When was the first time you saw
7 that, or a copy of that?
8 A. I recall seeing a copy of this about
9 two weeks ago.
10 Q. Okay. When were you first contacted
11 in these four cases?
12 A. With regard specifically to these
13 four cases, they were brought to my attention
14 about two weeks ago.
15 Q. Can you give me a date? Do you have a
16 file on this case?
17 A. No, I don't.
18 Q. Do you maintain any kind of file when
19 you do legal consulting for a particular case?
20 A. What do you mean by "any kind of
21 file"?
22 Q. Well, when you're contacted and you
23 agree to consult on a legal matter, do you have
24 a folder, a manila folder, or redwell, some kind
25 of system in which you keep information about
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 A. Excuse me. In matters related to
.
3 asbestos.
4 Q. And who was the defendant, GE?
5 A. Yes, that's what was my
6 understanding, that these matters would be
7 related to GE.
8 Q. Okay. And what was your understanding
9 as to what you were being asked to do or take
10 part in back in September of 2003 when you were
11 first contacted?
12 A. In general, I was asked to look into
13 historical aspects of industrial hygiene,
14 state-of-the-art matters and asbestos with
15 relation to GE.
16 Q. Do you have a file for that work?
17 A. No, I don't have a file for that.
18 Q. Okay. Have you been recording the
19 hours?
20 A. Let me just say that with regard to
21 certain aspects of the broad aspect of work that
22 I did I have created some types of records, but
23 I don't know what you mean by the broad term
24 "file."
25 Q. Fair enough.
3 (Pages 6 to 9)
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 A. I have created certain records.
2 confused. I thought you said as to GE.
3 Q. Okay.
3 Q. Let me back up. Do you draw a
4 A. Since beginning this project.
4 distinction between historical aspect and
5 Q. Have you been paid by GE for any work
5 state-of-the-art matters, or are they
6 on this project yet?
6 synonymous?
7 A. Yes, I have.
7 A. It's a general question, and it would
8 Q. Okay. And did you bill them by the
8 depend on the specific question posed to me.
9 hour?
9 Q. Let me back up further. I asked you
10 A. Yes, I bill by the hour at my 11 standard rate. 12 Q. Okay. And that is? 13 A. My standard rate is $250 an hour for 14 preparation, $300 for testimony. 15 Q. Have you given any testimony 16 previously with respect to the subject matters 17 that GE had asked you to look into, the 18 historical aspects of industrial hygiene, 19 state-of-the-art matters and asbestos with 20 respect to GE? 21 A. With regard to this specific project 22 since September o f '03, no. 23 Q. Have you ever testified about those 24 subjects before? 25 A. Could you read them back, please?
10 what the scope of the project was, and I think
11 my notes are accurate. You said the historical
12 aspects of industrial hygiene, state-of-the-art
13 matters and asbestos with respect to GE. Is that
14 the scope of the project in terms of GE that you
15 were asked about?
16 A. Well, those are certain aspects of
17 the project. In general, I was asked to look at
18 GE and non-GE documents to determine their
,
19 knowledge of the hazards of asbestos.
20 Q. What is your understanding of the
21 scope of the project that GE asked you to look
22 into, the entire scope since September '03?
23 A. The entire scope was to look at GE
24 and non-GE documents to determine, to address
25 GE's knowledge of the hazards of asbestos.
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 Q. Sure?
3
MR. SPEZIALI: To clear your
4 confusion, if you include for GE in the tag
5 along to the question I think the answer
6 will be no, so you may be confused. If you
7 want to drop out the GE part, you'll
8 probably get to where you want to go.
9 Q. Have you ever testified about any of
10 those matters, historical aspects of industrial
11 hygiene, state-of-the-art matters and/or asbestos
12 with respect to GE?
13 A. Yes.
14 Q. Previous to September '03?
15 A. Those matters being specifically what
16 you just read, those three statements?
17 Q. Yes.
18 A. Yes.
19
MR. SPEZIALI: Can I put a
20 clarification? Did you understand him to
21 say as to GE?
22
MR. KRISTAL: No, I wasn't asking as
23 toGE.
24
MR. SPEZIALI: I thought you said that
25 at the end of your sentence. Maybe I'm
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 Q. Anything else?
3 A. In general, I'd say yes, what the
4 scope was. 5 Q. Okay. How about specifically? 6 A. I don't understand the question. 7 Q. Well, you said generally that's what 8 the scope was. You said generally that's what 9 the scope was, and I want to be as specific as 10 you can get as to what the scope of the project
11 was? 12 A. In general, that's the scope. If you 13 ask me questions, I can answer them. 14 Q. Are there any other specific topics 15 other than looking at GE and non-GE documents to 16 address GE's knowledge of asbestos hazards? 17 A. I don't understand the question. 18 Q. Okay. I'm trying to find out what it 19 was you were asked to do by GE in September '03.
20 Are you with me so far?
21 A. Yes. 22 Q. Okay. And you said that you were 23 asked to look at GE and non-GE documents to 24 address GE's knowledge of asbestos hazards. Did
25 you say that?
4 (Pages 10 to 13)
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 A. Yes, I did.
2 A. Yes, those matters had to do with
3 Q. Okay. Anything else?
3 asbestos.
4 A. Well, if other things are posed to
4 Q. Can you tell me what you mean by the
5 me, it's possible.
5 historical aspects of industrial hygiene?
6 Q. I'm asking if anything else is to be
6 A. Industrial hygiene as a profession
7 posed to you?
7 has evolved over periods of time, and, at
8 A. Can I finish my answer, please?
8 various periods of time there were different
9 Q. I want you to answer the question.
9 states of knowledge with regard to the
10 The question is, was it your understanding that
10 recognition, evaluation and control of various
11 the project included anything else?
11 types of hazards in the workplace and
12 A. My understanding is that it may
12 non-workplace environments.
13 depending on what was posed to me over different 13 Q. Were you done?
14 periods of time, but, in general, I'd say that
14 A. Yes.
15 was a general scope of work for the project.
15 Q. Okay. When in your opinion was it
16 Q. When you say "it may," has it to date
16 first recognized in the industrial hygiene
17 involved anything else?
17 community that asbestos was a hazardous
18 A. Has it to date?
18 substance?
19 Q. The project involved anything other
19 A. In the 1930s it was recognized that
20 than looking at GE and non-GE documents to
20 high levels of asbestos dust could be hazardous
21 address GE's knowledge of asbestos hazards?
21 and could cause the fibrosis inducing condition
22 A. I would say in general the project
22 asbestosis.
23 has been within that scope.
23 Q. It was recognized in the industrial
24 Q. Okay. Is there anything you can think
24 hygiene community that asbestosis could be
25 of that has not been within that scope of what
25 potentially permanently disabling in the 1930s?
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Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 you've been asked to do to date, not what you
3 may be asked to do at some point in the future?
4 A. The best way I can answer is to say
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 A. When you say "it was recognized"?
3 Q. Was the fact that asbestosis could
4 potentially be permanently disabling recognized
5 that, in general, it's within that scope.
5 in the industrial hygiene community in the
6 Q. Have you ever testified as to that
6 1930s?
7 subject, GE and non-GE documents to address GE's 8 knowledge of asbestos hazards? 9 A. That subject being GE's knowledge? 10 Q. Yes. 11 A. No, I have not testified on scope, as 12 I stated, on this GE project. 13 Q. Okay. Have you ever testified about 14 historical aspects of industrial hygiene
15 generally? 16 A. Yes.
7 A. I would say that in general in the 8 1930s it was known by the medical and scientific 9 community that high levels of asbestos dust 10 could cause the fibrosis condition asbestosis. 11 Q. Okay. Tell me what your understanding 12 is of what was known about asbestosis in the 13 1930s by the medical and scientific community? 14 A. The medical and scientific community 15 would have been aware in the 1930s that high 16 levels of asbestos dust could cause a condition,
17 Q. When was the first such time you did
18 that? 19 A. If I recall, that would go back to 20 the early to mid-1980s. 21 Q. And was the testimony with respect to 22 asbestos? 23 A. I'm going to correct that. I would 24 say the early to mid-1990s. 25 Q. Okay.
17 in this case, asbestosis. 18 Q. And what did that community know in 19 the 1930s as to what asbestosis was? 20 A. I think in general the medical and 21 scientific literature would have been aware that 22 high levels of asbestos could cause asbestosis, 23 which is a fibrotic lung condition and which can 24 lead to a disabling condition and ultimately 25 possibly death.
5 (Pages 14 to 17)
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2 Q. Okay. When you say "high levels,"
3 what do you mean? 4 A. Well, it depends on what time period
5 that we're looking at.
6 Q. Fair enough. You mentioned high
7 levels in the context of the 1930s, right?
8 A. Yes.
9 Q. What do you mean?
10 A. Going back to the 1930s, I'd say by
11 the late 1930s, such as for this study that was 12 done by Dreesen, it was thought that high levels 13 of asbestos dust, meaning those levels in excess
14 of five million particles per cubic foot could
15 possibly lead to asbestosis. 16 Q. Five million particles per cubic foot
17 of what? 18 A. Well, again, going back to the 19 Dreesen study, the level that they concluded 20 that was the safe level was five million 21 particles per cubic foot of asbestos dust. 22 Q. And what do you mean by "asbestos
23 dust"? 24 A. By "asbestos dust," I mean dust that
25 is asbestos.
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 dust.
3 Q. Were you done?
4 A. Yes.
5 Q. And, therefore, five million
6 particles per cubic foot means total dust?
7
MR. SPEZIALI: You're talking about
8 Dreesen, aren't you?
9
MR. KRISTAL: Yes.
10 A. Well, with regard to Dreesen, that
11 would have been dust, total dust containing
12 asbestos.
13 Q. Okay. So if you take your impinger
14 and you collect --
15 A. They did some break-outs, 1should
16 say, about asbestos.
17 Q. I'm just trying to find out when you
18 use the term five million particles per cubic
19 foot of asbestos dust if you're talking about
20 five million asbestos fibers or five million
21 particles of total dust in the sample or
22 something else?
23 A. According to Dreesen, it would have
24 been five million particles of total dust in
25 that type of a sample, meaning by the
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 Q. Hundred percent asbestos?
3 A. There's been over the years, I'd say
4 that there's been some different changes of
5 thought with regard to that. Some authors
6 believe, concluded it was asbestos dust, others
7 concluded it may be dust containing asbestos.
8 Those will vary in the literature over time.
9
MR. SPEZIALI: He's asking about
10 Dreesen in the thirties now. Just to
11 expedite it, he wants to know about Dreesen
12 now in the thirties.
13 A. Could you ask the question again,
14 please?
15 Q. Sure. I'm trying to find out if the
16 five million particles per cubic foot of air you
17 said is asbestos dust, I'm asking you, in the
18 1930s, is it your opinion that meant hundred
19 percent asbestos dust, any percent asbestos
20 dust, what did it mean at that time frame?
21 A. With regard to the Dreesen study in
22 '38, they were studying textile mills, and, the
22 textile mill had extremely high concentrations
24 of asbestos in the dust and they used an
25 impingement method which didn't measure total
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 impingement method.
3 Q. When you used the phrase medical and
4 scientific literature a couple questions back,
5 is that different than industrial hygiene
6 literature, or is that different than the
7 industrial hygiene community, or was that
8 industrial hygiene community part of "medical
9 and scientific"?
10 A. Generally these are broad terms, but
11 I would say in general the medical and
12 scientific literature would have encompassed the
13 industrial hygiene literature.
14 Q. Did you need an epidemiological study
15 to make the determination that asbestos exposure
16 caused asbestosis historically?
17 A. I don't understand the question.
18 Q. Okay. When was it first known, the
19 very first date that you would say it was known
20 in die medical and scientific literature that
21 asbestos could cause any disease?
22 A. In the early 1900s there were some
23 case reports reported in the literature where 24 some physicians reported what they called cases
25 of, related to cases that we now call
6 (Pages 18 to 21)
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2 asbestosis.
3 Q. So that's the first date by which it
4 was known in the medical and scientific
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 any other industry that asbestos exposure could
3 cause disease in the 1930s, or, are you saying
4 it was limited exclusively to the textile
;
5 community that asbestos could cause any kind of
5 industry?
i
6 disease?
6 A. I'm here to talk in general about the
7 A. In which it was known, "it" what? 8 Q. The fact that asbestos could cause 9 disease. 10 A. Well, as I said, you asked before 11 when it was first known, and there were some 12 cases reported in the early 1900s from high 13 levels of exposure to asbestos that indicated 14 that asbestos, that asbestosis may occur. 15 Q. So that's when it was first known 16 that asbestos could cause disease, early 1900s? 17 A. Well, I think that there was some
7 United States Navy and asbestos, and, as far as
;
8 the other industries, that's not really in
9 general what I was prepared to discuss.
i
10 Q. You have to understand something
j
11 because I'm not trying to give you a hard time.
12 I'm coming in here in my opinion relatively
;
13 blind because I don't have a report from you
|
14 saying what your opinions are. I have some very
\
15 broad statements included in Exhibit 1. So when
16 you say you may be testifying about the
17 historical aspects of industrial hygiene, I'm
18 case reports. 19 Q. That's what I'm trying --
18 asking these questions. I'm not trying to give
;
19 you a hard time. I'm just trying to find out
20 A. I don't think in general it was
20 what you may testify.
i
21 entirely known until certain studies were
21
MR. KRISTAL: Dave, is that accurate
22 performed.
22 in terms of the scope of the testimony?
i
23 Q. Okay. When was the first such study
23
MR. SPEZIALI: For these four cases
24 that was performed in which it became entirely
24 she's going to talk about the United States
25 known that asbestos could cause disease?
25 Navy knowledge, I mean, as I understand
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1
2 A. I don't think it was ever known with
2
3 total certainty that asbestos could absolutely
3
4 cause certain types of diseases. There were
4
5 certain studies that evolved over time which led
5
6 the medical and scientific community to certain
6
7 conclusions.
7
8 Q. And by the 1930s it was concluded by
8
9 the medical and scientific community that high
9
10 levels of asbestos exposure could cause
10
11 asbestosis?
11
12 A. By the late 1930s it was known that
12
13 high levels of asbestos in certain types of
13
14 industries such as in textile mills could cause
14
15 asbestosis.
15
16 Q. Any other industry?
16
17 A. That was the -- by the late 1930s, in
17
18 general, textile mills were studied.
18
19 Q. I'm asking you if --I'm sorry. Go
19
20 ahead.
20
21 A. And high levels of asbestos in
21
22 textile mills were thought to cause asbestosis,
22
23 and, again, I'm talking about levels in excess
23
24 of five million particles per cubic foot.
24
25 Q. And I'm asking you, was it known in
25
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
;
Plaintiffs' theory of the case.
MR. KRISTAL: I just want to know --
MR. SPEZIALI: She will address that
issue of the case by which had GE put some
label on turbines the Navy would have
rushed to arms and changed the way it would
have addressed military issues in this
case.
She's going to address what the Navy
knew or didn't know, and, obviously, as you
and I both know, obviously the Navy's
knowledge is part of the published
historical scientific literature, so,
clearly, that literature to the extent we
say historic is going to come into play.
MR. KRISTAL: I understand. But,
generally, it's not going to be starting
from, you know, it's going to be specific
to the Navy?
MR. SPEZIALI: Government knowledge,
yes.
MR. KRISTAL: That's fine.
MR. SPEZIALI: I've got Tom Howard.
He'll do the other problem. Tm not looking
7 (Pages 22 io 25)
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2 to bring every witness in and repeat the
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 that high levels of asbestos exposure to cause
3 history of state-of-the-art literature. 4 Q. When was it first known by the United
3 asbestosis? 4 A. I'd have to refer to a document list.
5 States Navy, in your opinion, that asbestos 6 could cause asbestos disease of any kind? 7 A. I would say in 1922 the US Navy knew
5 Q. Okay.
6
MR. KRISTAL: Do you have that?
7
MR. SPEZIALI: Tim, do you have the
8 that high levels of asbestos could cause 9 asbestos-related disease, asbestosis. 10 Q. And what is the basis of that
11 opinion? 12 A. The basis of that opinion is some 13 studies in the literature that I reviewed over 14 time, and, also, that in 1922 the Navy sent some 15 people to the Harvard School of Public Health
16 for training. 17 Q. With respect to asbestos? 18 A. With respect to general occupational 19 medicine, and, it would have been further things 20 such as non-asbestos. 21 Q. Okay. Tell me the studies and 22 literature upon which you're basing your opinion 23 that in 1922 the US Navy knew high levels of 24 asbestos exposure to cause asbestosis? 25 A. Some of the studies include an article
8 9 10 111 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 [ 20 21 22
23 24 I 25
exhibit list? MR. KAPSHANDY: I may have it on my
computer. We don't have a hard copy here. I may be able to find it. It was among the materials that she reviewed. We didn't bring hard copies.
MR. SPEZIALI: It's on the CD. MR. KRISTAL: I'm not understanding. Is there a list that I can show the witness now from which she can tell me what she's relying on the 1922 article? MR. KAPSHANDY: I gave it to you before the deposition. MR. KRISTAL: That's Power Point. MR. KAPSHANDY: There's an extensive
list. MR. SPEZIALI: Is it on the CD? MR. KAPSHANDY: No. That's just the
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 by Brown.
3 Q. Anything else?
4 A. I've reviewed many materials over
5 time, even going up to the forties in the
6 Fisher. 7 Q. I'm only interested in what you're
8 basing your opinion on that the Navy knew in
9 1922. That's the sole scope of my question.
10 Other than the Brown article, is there anything
11 else you base your opinion on that the Navy knew
12 in 1922 that high levels of asbestos exposure
13 could cause asbestosis? 14 A. In several o f the documents that I
15 reviewed the history of industrial hygiene and
16 occupational medicine in the Navy had been
17 discussed, and, I would have to refer to a list
18 of documents, but that was the date that it's my
19 understanding that the Navy sent people to the
20 Harvard School of Public Health for training,
21 which would include their study of asbestos.
22 Q. Okay. What documents are you talking
23 about that had that history of industrial
24 hygiene in the Navy upon which you're relying
25 for your opinion that in 1922 the US Navy knew
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 Alice Hamilton documents.
3
MR. KRISTAL: Have you given me this
4 morning which you think contains what Ms.
5 Drucker relied on?
6
MR. KAPSHANDY: Not this morning,
7 previously.
8
MR. SPEZIALI: Is it possible to pull
9 that up?
10
MR. KAPSHANDY: I'm looking for it.
11
MR. KRISTAL: Thank you. I'll move on
12 while you're looking for it. I didn't
13 understand what you were saying.
14 Q. When did you first come to an opinion
15 with respect to the United States Navy's
16 knowledge about the hazards of asbestos?
17
MR. SPEZIALI: Can I ask, you mean as
18 of 1922 or any time?
19
MR. KRISTAL: Any time of the US Navy
j 20 and knowledge of asbestos.
21 A. I worked for the United States Navy
22 and I knew they had a long-standing program on
23 occupational exposure and relating to asbestos,
24 and, more recently, I had an opportunity to
25 review these articles and determined that in
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Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
;
2 1922 they were aware of the hazards of asbestos.
2 the article.
3 Q. When was it, when you say "more
3 Q. Okay. So you can't do that without
4 recently," since September '03?
4 referring to the article?
;
5 A. I would say since September '03 I had
5 A. To answer your question as completely
;
6 recently reviewed those articles, although, I
6 as I can I feel that I should look at the
'
7 may have seen them in the past. I had worked 8 with the Navy. 9 Q. When was the first time you read the 10 Captain Brown article? 11 A. Over the course of my career I've 12 read hundreds of articles regarding asbestos, 13 and I may have seen the Brown article in the 14 past. I do recently recall having seen it within 15 the past several months since September.
7 article.
8 Q. How about answering it incompletely?
i
9 A. I don't think I should do that.
10 Q. Okay. So you need the article to
;
11 answer the question?
;
12 A. I would like to refer to the article
13 to answer your question completely.
14 Q. Well, how about incompletely? I'll
15 take any portion of an answer without looking at ;
16 Q. Okay. What leads you to say in the
16 the article.
17 Brown article that Brown was talking about high
17 A. I think you want my best testimony
5
18 levels of asbestos exposure? 19 A. I don't think that's what I said 20 before. We were talking about 21 Q. If you didn't say that before, is it 22 your belief that in 1922 the US Navy knew that 23 asbestos exposure to cause asbestosis? 24 A. Yes, I said before that in 1922 the 25 US Navy would be aware that high levels of
18 so...
;
19 Q. I want anything, anything that you
;
20 can recall from the Brown article that talks
21 about high levels of asbestos exposure as
22 opposed to any other level of asbestos exposure?
23 A. To answer your question I would like
24 to look at the article.
25 Q. Fair enough. Brown was not talking
j
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 asbestos exposure could cause asbestosis.
3 Q. And you said one of the bases of that
4 opinion was the Brown article?
5 A. Yes, I said that in general some of
6 the history of the Navy and the Navy's program
7 was included in the Brown article and that there
8 are other articles that I would have to refer to
9 a list for.
10 Q. And I'm asking you what in the Brown
11 article itself leads you to believe that the
12 Navy was talking about the high levels of
13 asbestos exposure as opposed to other levels of
14 asbestos exposure causing asbestosis?
15 A. I would have to look at the article.
16 Q. Do you have the article?
17 A. No, not with me.
18 Q. We'll have to continue this on some
19 other day, I imagine.
20
As you sit here today, you are unable
21 to tell me what it is in the Brown article that
22 leads you to believe that Brown was talking
23 about high levels of asbestos exposure causing
24 asbestosis?
25 A. To answer your question I refer to
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 about textiles; is that fair to say?
3 A. Again, I would like to look at the
4 article.
5 Q. Okay. Was Brown talking about the
;
6 textile industry?
7 A. I would like to look at the article.
8 Q. Do you have any idea what asbestos
9 products Brown was talking about that could lead ;
10 to asbestosis? 11 A. To answer your question I would refer
12 to the article. 13 Q. Okay. Are there any other studies at 14 the time, meaning 1922, or any other articles at 15 the time, meaning 1922, upon which you're basing 16 your opinion about the US Navy's knowledge in 17 1922, as opposed to some book chapter or article 18 or review by the Navy written years later 19 looking back? Do you understand what I'm asking?
20 A. No. 21 Q. Okay. I'm trying to find out if 22 there's anything contemporaneous with the 1920s 23 other than the Brown article on which you're 24 relying for your opinion that the Navy knew in
25 1922 that asbestos could cause asbestosis?
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2 A. Yes, as I said before, there were
3 several articles, and, for that, I'd have to 4 look at the master list and cite them for you.
5 Q. Okay. So and I'm not talking about
6 articles that are looking back, I'm talking
7 about in the 1920s. Do you understand that?
8 A. I do. 9 Q. Okay. Do you know the authors of
10 these other articles from the 1920s that you're
11 basing your opinion in part on that the US Navy
12 knew in the 1920s that asbestos exposure could
13 cause asbestosis? 14 A. I've seen some correspondence by
15 Philip Drinker from back in the 1920s, 1930s
16 with respect to some work that he had done with
17 the Navy, but, in general, I'd like to say that
18 I would prefer to look at the list and then cite
19 specifics for you. 20 Q. Who generated this list that you're
21 talking about, whose list is it? 22 A. There have been documents that I
23 reviewed over time with regard to this project,
24 and, the generation of the list is actually from
25 many sources, including myself. There were
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 articles for background in context of which I
3 had reviewed over the course of my career, and, 4 many of which I actually had in my own library.
5 Q. What did you do to research the issue
6 of when the Navy first knew about the hazards of
7 asbestos? Did you go on-line? Did you go to the
8 library? Did you go to some archive somewhere?
9 Did you ask somebody to do any of those things?
10 Did you get articles from the lawyers? I want to
11 know what you did. 12 A. Your question again, please?
13 Q. When you were looking at the Navy's
14 historical knowledge about the hazards of
15 asbestos, how did you go about doing that?
16 A. Throughout the course of my career,
17 throughout my career and training, I have had
18 years of training with regards to asbestos, and,
I 19 a lot of the information that I had over the
20 years I had seen from the Navy. When I was a
21 student at the Harvard School of Public Health,
22 one of the authors of the Fisher Drinker article
23 was one of my professors. I worked for the Navy
24 and I'm familiar with their long history of
25 health and safety, and, certainly with regard to
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 articles that were provided to me for a 3 background in context articles that I 4 contributed to this compendium and materials
5 from a variety of other sources. 6 Q. So who made the list? I'm not asking 7 you who contributed to the articles that were 8 compiled and made into a list. I m asking you 9 who made the list? Did you? Let's start there. 10 A. Well, I didn't physically type the j 11 list. I contributed to the articles in the list, 12 and, the list, as I understand it, was prepared 13 by the Sidley law firm, meaning that it was 14 typed and prepared by them. 15 Q. Okay. And when did you first 16 contribute to the universe of articles that went 17 into this list that Sidley typed up into a list? 118 A. I'd say in general after September of
19 '03 when I began the project. 20 Q. Did the Sidley firm or any other 21 attorneys give you a copy o f the Brown article?
22 A. Yes. 23 Q- Okay. Did they give you other
124 articles?
.
25 A. Yes. The Sidley firm provided various
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 their efforts on asbestos. So when first it may
3 be difficult to say. It probably goes back to my
4 training at Harvard in the late sixties.
5 Q. After you were first, after you first
6 agreed to take on this historical Navy knowledge
7 review, what did you do? 8 A. Could you be a little more specific?
9 Q. Sure. After September '03, what have
10 you done to inform yourself on these issues
11 regarding the Navy's knowledge?
12 A. Well, since September '03 --1 should
13 backtrack a little. As I said from the
14 beginning, from the late sixties, I've been
15 aware of these issues.
16 Q. I'm not asking you about the late
17 sixties or your knowledge of the issues
18 pre-September '03.1just want to know what
19 you've done since September '03. And if you re
20 saying you did nothing other than what you
21 previously knew, that's fine too?
22 A. Since September '03,1had the
23 opportunity to review various articles and
24 studies, and those would have included those
25 relating to the Navy.
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2 Q. Where did you get the articles and
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 you tell me the title? Can you tell me anything
}
3 studies that related to the Navy since September 4 '03?
3 about the articles in terms of where they were 4 published, when they were published, who
5 A. Some of the articles that I reviewed
5 published them?
i
6 were provided to me by the Sidley firm and some
6 A. I recall one of the articles stating
J
7 of the, as I said, I provided articles, as well.
7 that. It was a retrospective of the rich history
8 I also have sought some correspondence at
8 of industrial hygiene occupational medicine in
;
9 Harvard Medical Library when I was there
9 the Navy. It was a retrospective done by the
10 reviewing some documents. So it's a combination
10 Navy. And to give you the exact title, I would
11 of places.
11 have to refer to the list for you.
12 Q. Okay. The basis of your opinion that
12 Q. Anything else?
*
13 the Navy sent people to the Harvard School of
13 A. As I said, there were some other
14 Public Health regarding industrial hygiene in
14 articles, but I'd have to refer to the list.
15 1922, where did that come from?
15 Q. Okay. What Drinker correspondence
;
16 A. I had seen documents relating to that
16 from the 1920s have you seen regarding the
17 people from the Navy were sent to the Harvard 18 School of Public Health, and, as I recall, I 19 talked to a former corporate industrial 20 hygienist from GE who had also been in the Navy 21 who related to me certain, that officers and 22 people from the Navy had gone to the Harvard 23 School of Public Health. 24 Q. I'm talking specifically about 25 starting in 1922, and you're saying somebody
17 Navy's knowledge of the high risk of asbestos? 18 Are they in this GE stuff? And by that for the 19 record there are hard copies of some 20 correspondence from the 1920s regarding Alice 21 Hamilton and also there's a CD Rom with a number 22 of different items on it. I'm assuming most of 23 them are correspondence. Is it in that group, or 24 are you talking about some other correspondence? 25 A. I'd have to check. I'd have to check.
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2 who's a former GE industrial hygienist told you 3 that?
2 Q. What list? 3 A. Could you ask the question again,
4 A. Told me that, what?
4 please?
5 Q. You said earlier that in 1922 the US
5 Q. Yes. You mentioned as the basis for
6 Navy knew about high levels of asbestos exposure
6 your knowledge Drinker correspondence in the
7 causing asbestosis, and you said the basis of
7 1920s and thirties about the Navy's knowledge of
8 your opinion were studies and literature and
8 the hazards of asbestos, did you not?
9 your knowledge that the Navy had sent industrial
9 A. Yes.
;
10 hygienists to the Harvard School of Public
10 Q. And I'm asking you where are those,
11 Health, right?
11 or can you point me to where I might find those?
12 A. Yes.
12 A. You can find some of the
13 Q. Okay. I'm trying to find out the
13 correspondence in this, some of the Alice
14 basis for your belief that in 1922 the US Navy
14 Hamilton documents going back, but, again, I'd
15 sent people to the Harvard School of Public
15 have to double check that. I'd have to look at
16 Health to study industrial hygiene, that's what
16 the listing to give you an answer.
17 I'm trying to find out. What are you basing that
17 Q. And who was Drinker with respect to
18 on?
18 the Navy in the 1920s and thirties?
19 A. I had seen that written in at least
19 A. Phil Drinker who was also on the
20 one or more articles, and, I would have to refer
20 faculty of Harvard served as a consultant in the
21 to a list of that.
21 United States Navy for a period of time and also
22 Q. So in some article you've seen it
22 was a participant in some studies.
23 said and that's the basis of your opinion?
23 Q. And what period of time was Philip
24 A. Article or articles, yes.
24 Drinker a consultant for the US Navy?
25 Q. Okay. Well, how many were there? Can
25 A. I'd say in general Phil Drinker was a
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2 consultant to the Navy in the thirties and
2
MR. SPEZIALI: I'm asking about the
3 forties.
3 Betts exhibits.
4 Q. Not the twenties?
4
MR. KRISTAL: Please, guys. Did
5 A. I'd have to check that.
5 anybody mention the word Dublin?
6 Q. Well, are you basing your opinion
6
MR. SPEZIALI: I just want the Betts
7 that the Navy knew in 1922 that asbestos could 8 cause asbestosis on Drinker correspondence in
7 exhibits.
8
MR. KRISTAL: Please don't prompt the
9 the 1920s?
10 A. What I said before was that I was
11 basing that the Navy knew in 1922 about asbestos
12 on several articles, and I would have to refer
13 to the list to give you those.
14 Q. Not Drinker correspondence?
15 A. When you're using the term
16 "correspondence" I don't know if you're
17 referring to letters. I'd say that I would have
18 to refer.
19 Q. Let me make it clear before you
20 answer. By "articles," I'm talking about
21 something that's been published somewhere.
22 Correspondence unless they're published
23 contemporaneously is not an article or a
24 published document.
25
You mentioned Drinker correspondence
9 witness. Okay?
10 Q. I'm talking about Drinker
11 correspondence from the 1920s. Is there anything
12 that you're aware of that Drinker wrote in
13 correspondence that relates to the Navy's
14 knowledge of the hazards of asbestos?
15 A. I'd have to refer to the document.
16 Q. Okay. The Brown article with respect
17 to asbestosis was talking about insulation, was
18 it not?
19
MR. SPEZIALI: I'm going to object. We
20 have the Brown article here. She's asked to
21 refer to the Brown article. So if you want
22 to ask more questions about it, let's refer
I23 to the article.
24 Q. Let me ask the question. Can you 25 answer that question as to whether Brown was
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 from the 1920s and 1930s earlier, and I'm asking
3 you about the 1920s Drinker correspondence, is
4 there such a thing or more than one thing or not
5 with respect to the Navy's knowledge of the
6 hazards of asbestos? 7 A. I would have to refer to the articles
8 to give you more specific information.
9 Q. I'm not talking about any articles.
10
MR. SPEZLALI: Let me ask this.
11
MR. KRISTAL: I don't want you to ask
12 anything.
13
MR. SPEZIALI: Tim, don't we have the
14 exhibits here?
15
MR. KAPSHANDY: No, because they were
16 provided to him last week.
17
MR. SPEZIALI: I thought we had them
18 available in CD?
19
MR. KAPSHANDY: I'm about to put them
20 on a disc for him.
21
MR. SPEZIALI: Do we have them
22 available that the witness can look at
23 them?
24
MR. KAPSHANDY: The Brown and the
25 Dublin articles he's talking about.
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 talking about insulation that contained asbestos
3 without looking at the Brown article?
4 A. I would like to refer to the article
5 to answer your question.
6 Q. Meaning you can't do it without it?
7 A. Meaning that I would feel more
8 comfortable in answering your question fully
9 after I look at the article.
;
10 Q. So without looking at the article you
11 are unwilling to say whether Brown was talking
:
12 about asbestos-containing insulation or not; is
13 that correct?
14 A. I would like to refer to the article
15 to answer your question.
16 Q. Okay. Was the Brown article published
17 anywhere?
18
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection. We have the
19 article.
20 Q. Do you need to look at the article to
21 answer that question?
!22 A. I would like to look at the article.
23
MR. KRISTAL: Do you have the
24 article?
25
MR. KAPSHANDY: I have it up, Counsel.
.................
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2 If it's acceptable, she's asked to look at
3 it but you don't seem to want her to.
4
MR. KRISTAL: Just for the record we
5 have a laptop that Ms. Drucker is
6 reviewing. I'm assuming, because I can't
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 Foundation, any industry?
3 A. No.
4 Q. So you can see from reading the
5 article that it was presented at a conference,
6 this Fifth Annual Conference in 1922 [sic]; is
7 see it, that it is the Brown article.
7 that right?
:
8
MR. KAPSHANDY: You're welcome to look 8 A. I'm scrolling up right now. Fifth
9 at it.
10
MR. KRISTAL: I trust you that it's
9 Annual Meeting 1940.
,
10 Q. 1940. Okay. What's that got to do
11 the Brown article.
12
(Whereupon, the witness peruses
13 information on the computer.)
14 A. Thank you.
15 Q. Was the Brown article published
16 anywhere? Just for the record you read finished
17 reading the Brown article?
11 with 1922?
i
12 A. Well, as I recall, before you asked
13 me about in general what kinds of things was I
14 familiar with about the Navy's program in
;
15 industrial hygiene occupational medicine, and I
16 had mentioned this as one article that I recall.
17 Q. Okay. Well, the record will speak for
;
18 A. I looked at the Brown article, and 19 the Brown article it appears, I don't know if it 20 was published. According to this, it was 21 presented at the Fifth Annual Meeting of the Air 22 Hygiene Foundation of America in Pittsburgh
23 November 12th, 1940. 24 Q. Do you know what that foundation is, 25 Air Hygiene Foundation of America?
18 itself.
19
Are you or are you not relying on
20 this Brown speech for your belief that in 1922
s
21 the US Navy knew about the hazards of asbestos?
22 A. From the information provided in the
23 article it's an indication of rich history of
24 occupation medicine industrial hygiene in the
25 Navy. Whether it specifically addresses the 1922 1
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 A. In terms of what? 3 Q. In terms of anything. 4 A. As I recall, when I was a student at 5 Harvard, I had heard of the Air Hygiene 6 Foundation. 7 Q. Okay. Anything else? I asked you what 8 the Air Hygiene Foundation is, if you know, and 9 you said you heard of it when you were a 10 student. That's not my question. Do you know 11 what the Air Hygiene Foundation is? 12 A. As I said, as a student at Harvard, I 13 was familiar that there was an Air Hygiene
14 Foundation. 15 Q. Okay. From your familiarity when you 16 were at Harvard with the Air Hygiene Foundation, 17 what was the Air Hygiene Foundation? 18 A. My familiarity from Harvard is that 19 there were people who did research and gave 20 papers, and that's the context in which I had 21 heard of the Air Hygiene Foundation. 22 O. Okav. Do you know when it was formed?
23 A. No. 24 Q. Do you know whether or not members of
25 industry were part of the Air Hygiene
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 data Td have to read it in its entirety, but
3 there are other articles I would have to refer
4 to to give you that date of 1922.
i
5 Q. Okay. Why don't you read the Brown
:
6 article? Have you ever read the Brown article in
7 its entirety?
8 A. Yes. 9 Q. Okay. If you need to read the article 10 in its entirety to tell me if it relates to 1922
11 or not, go ahead.
12
(Whereupon, the witness peruses the
13 computer.)
14 Q. Have you had a chance to read the
15 whole Brown article?
16 A. I skimmed it, yes. 17 Q. I don't want you to skim it. If you 18 need to read the whole article take your time 19 and read the whole article. Do you think you 20 read it sufficiently to answer questions?
21 A. Yes, I'll try. 22 Q. Tell me what in it relates to 1922
23 and the US Navy knowledge in 1922? 24 A. In looking at the article I don't see
25 the date 1922 mentioned. I believe I mentioned
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2 before that it was part of materials that I saw
3 that related to the rich and long-standing
4 program that the Navy has as far as occupational
5 medicine and industrial hygiene.
6 Q. So with respect to your opinion that
7 the US Navy knew in 1922 that high levels of
8 asbestos exposure could cause asbestosis, the Brown
9 article doesn't speak to that date, does it?
10 A. In my reading of it I wouldn't
11 exclude that. I don't see the date 1922
12 specifically mentioned, but, obviously, in 1940
13 the Navy has had a long-standing program, and,
14 as I said, I saw another article with 1922
15 mentioned so I could mesh this with that. It's
16 not inconsistent. 17 Q. How about 1912, would that article
18 equally apply to 1912?
19
MR. SPEZIALI: 1912 what?
| 20
MR. KRISTAL: Navy knowledge of the
21 knowledge of asbestos in 1912.
22
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection. She never
23 said that. i 24 Q. You can answer the question.
25 A. You asked me before from what date
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 hygiene in general, yes, including asbestos.
3 Q. Tell me what in the article leads you
4 to say that about asbestos long-standing rich
5 history?
6 A. There are references to asbestos in
7 this article itself and the programs that they
8 developed. So in my reading as an industrial
9 hygienist I look at an article like this and I'm
10 aware that it takes time to develop programs of
11 apparently the sophistication that they have
12 expressed in this article in 1940. So, to me,
13 that lends credence that it's been a program of
14 some standing and it appears rich in knowledge. 15 Q. Tell me specifically from the article
16 what you're talking about? 17 A. I'd say in general the article
18 addresses many occupational hazards. So it
19 appears that the Navy is aware in many realms of
20 various occupational hazards. They do mention
21 asbestosis. 22 Q. Right. And what leads you to believe
23 the Navy had a long-standing knowledge of that
24 from the Brown article? 1 25 A. Well, there are some things mentioned
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 was the Navy aware? I said 1922. And that's what
3 I'm relating the knowledge that it's apparently
4 gathered by this time in 1940.1never mentioned
5 the date 1912. 6 Q. Right. And my point is, what does a 7 1940 article, that particular 1940 article got 8 to do with your specific opinion that the Navy 9 knew in 1922 about the hazards asbestos as
10 opposed to 1912 or 1932? 11 A. As I mentioned before, there are
12 other articles that did mention, article or 13 articles that did mention 1922, and I see this 14 as meshing consistently with that that obviously
15 by 1940 they have a long-standing and very, very
16 rich knowledge of the program, including that
117 related to asbestos. 18 Q. Tell me what you're relating to the 19 long-standing rich knowledge of asbestos about
120 from the Brown article? 21 A. Could you repeat that, please?
22 Q. Sure. You said that the article tells 23 you that the Navy had a long-standing rich
24 program about the knowledge of asbestos, right? I 25 A. And occupation medicine industrial
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 in the article itself that indicates that 3 surveys were made, x-rays were taken, and, as an
4 industrial hygienist, I know that these kind of 5 programs, the awareness, investigation of 6 hazards, medical surveillance such as they're
7 referring to here in this article take time to 8 institute. So in my reading of this I see that 9 there was a lot of knowledge already accumulated 10 by 1940 when this paper was presented and that 11 they certainly appear to be fairly well aware of 12 asbestos hazards as they relate to the Navy at
13 that point in time. 14 Q. I'm talking about 1922. What leads
15 you to believe that there was a long-standing
16 program that went back to 1922 from the surveys
17 that were taken, the x-ray program from the 18 medical surveillance that's mentioned in the
119 Brown article? 20 A. That's not what you asked me before. 21 What you asked me was how, well, what I answered
22 was that it's apparent to me that by 1940 they
23 had a rich program with a lot of aspects that 24 were sophisticated for the time. I said that 25 other articles, article or articles had brought
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2 to my attention the date 1922.
2 it could be faxed. I'm trying to take a
3 Q. Is there anything in Brown from which
3 deposition here. I'm not blaming anybody
4 you can pin a date to 1922 in terms o f the
4 here and not blaming Ms. Drucker. If she
5 Navy's knowledge of the hazards of asbestos as
5 needs something to look at to answer a
6 opposed to 1932 or 1912? 7 A. My reading of it right now on screen,
6 question, it seems logical we ought to have 7 what she needs. Can somebody request the
8 I don't see anything specifically relating to 9 1922.1don't exclude it. I see it as meshing
8 list be faxed?
9
MR. SPEZIALI: Obviously we're going
10 with other articles that describe the Navy's
0 to be bogged down with this list. Let me
11 industrial hygiene and medical program going
1 see if we can get the list. If we can't, we
12 back in time to 1922. 13 Q. Can you give me the name of any
2 should look for another date. Most of the 3 answers are going to center around this
14 article or anything that you're relying on for 15 your opinion that the Navy knew that asbestos
4 list. Let me make a quick call.
15
MR. KRISTAL: Can we move while you do
16 caused asbestosis in 1922?
17
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection. Asked and
16 that? Do you want me to wait?
17
MR. SPEZIALI: Ask some things around
118 answered. We have the list. If you want to
18 it and we'll break.
19 refer to the list, you can refer to the
19 Q. Sticking with Brown, you don't know
120 list.
21
MR. KRISTAL: Of course. I'm not
20 whether it was published or not other than it 21 was given as a speech at some conference?
22 ruling that out. You said we have the list.
22 A. I don't know.
23 Well, get the list out. I'm trying to move
24 this along. It's not a memory test.
25
MR. SPEZIALI: Do we have the list?
23 Q. Okay. Brown refers to 24 asbestos-containing insulation, correct? 25 A. It's listed in there and I just
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2
MR. KAPSHANDY: Many of them are on
2 looked at it, and I would read you the list and
3 the Betts list, as well as the exhibit
4 list, so we can refer to the GE exhibit
5 list and I can give you an exhibit number.
6
MR. KRISTAL: What I'd like to do is
7 refer to whatever list Ms. Drucker is
8 talking about because I don't know what
9 list you're talking about.
10
MR. KAPSHANDY: I told you before on
11 the record it is the list of Betts'
12 exhibits that are attached, many of which
13 are on the exhibit list, both of which have
14 been given to you.
15
MR. KRISTAL: Do we have a copy of the
16 Betts list so Ms. Drucker can look at it to
17 answer the questions? That's all I'm
18 asking.
19
MR. KAPSHANDY: No, not here.
j 20
MR. KRISTAL: Why don't we agree to do
I 21 this some other date? This is absurd. We'll
22 have to continue this.
[ 23
MR. KAPSHANDY: We can have them sent
24 over from Newark.
125
MR. KRISTAL: That would be great if
3 not refer to my memory. So I could read it to
4 you if we can go back to it.
5
MR. KAPSHANDY: Is that it?
6
THE WITNESS: It's on Page 11 and 12.
7 Q. Are you talking about the chart?
8 A. And there's a descriptor, too.
9
(Whereupon, the witness peruses the
10 computer.)
11 A. On Page 11 of this article under
12 "Dust Diseases" asbestosis is listed as "For
13 makers of pipe insulating covers." And on Page
14 12 it says, "Asbestosis, this is a potential
15 occupational disease hazard due to inhalation of
16 asbestos dust among workers engaged in the
17 manufacture of asbestos insulating covers for
18 flanges, valves and high temperature steam
19 turbines."
20 Q. So what Brown is talking about, at
21 least your understanding of it, is that people
22 who were engaged in using asbestos-containing
23 insulation were at risk of asbestosis?
24 A. The terms he uses are "asbestos
25 insulating covers for flanges, valves and high
15 (Pages 54 to 57)
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2 temperature steam turbines."
3 Q. Okay. So people who were using those
4 materials were at risk for asbestosis, and that
5 was known in the 19, at least 1940?
6 A. Yes, that people exposed to high
7 levels above five million particles per cubic
8 foot would have the potential for asbestosis.
9 Q. Okay. Where are you getting the high
10 levels above five million particles per cubic
11 foot from? From the Brown article?
12 A. I was using that from general
13 background information.
14 Q. Does Brown mention high levels of
15 asbestos exposure?
16 A. From what I just read, I mean, I
17 literally read that's what it stated. If I
18 mention levels, I would have to look back in the
19 article for you.
20 Q. Okay. Why don't you do that?
21
(Whereupon, the witness peruses the
22 computer.)
23 A. Thank you.
24 Q. Have you read the article?
25 A. I looked at article sections.
Page 60 |
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 controlling high exposures to prevent problems.
3 Q. Tell me specifically what you're
4 saying ~ strike that.
5
Are you saying because he's
6 recommending control measures by definition he's
7 talking about high levels of exposure? Is that
8 what you're saying?
9 A. You're using the term "high." It's a
10 general, when you're using the term "high,"
11 that's a very general statement. I'm saying
12 looking at th is-13 Q. You used the term "high." I didn't
14 use the term high. You said you're getting from
15 the Brown article that high levels of asbestos
16 exposure to cause asbestosis and that was known
17 by the Navy. And I'm asking what in the Brown
18 article leads you to say he said high levels of
19 asbestos exposure. Be very specific. Tell me
20 what he's saying that you're interpreting to
21 mean he's talking about high levels of asbestos
22 exposure? 23 A. As a trained industrial hygienist
24 looking back at an article historic over time,
j 25 throughout this article it appears he's
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1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 Q. Okay. Does Brown mention high levels
3 of asbestos? 4 A. Well, in looking at the article I 5 didn't see the term literally high levels, but, 6 as an industrial hygienist reading this article
7 and understanding what he's saying it is 8 apparent to me that he's indicating that, yes,
9 at higher levels we're going to get certain 10 types of diseases, among which is listed
11 asbestosis. 12 Q. Tell me what language you're looking
13 at for your interpretation that he's talking
14 about high levels? 15 A. Well, as I said, as an industrial
116 hygienist who's trained to look at articles from
17 the past, I'm looking at this and it seems to me
18 that what he's describing is the Navy's very 119 sophisticated program as far as occupational
20 medicine and industrial hygiene, and, in the 21 section on asbestosis he indicates doing things 22 that are in good practice to protect people, 23 medical evaluations, he mentions exhaust 24 ventilation, respirators. So it seems as a 25 trained person reading this he is looking at
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 describing the Navy program which is well aware
3 of hazards and highly sophisticated, and, to me
4 in the way he describes certain diseases and
5 control measures he's indicated to me a
6 knowledge that it's important to control certain
7 types of exposures. 8 Q. Okay. Tell me specifically what 9 language he uses that leads you to believe he's
10 talking about high levels of asbestos?
11
(Whereupon, the witness peruses the
12 computer.) 13 A. I think it's inherent in his
14 description of certain types of suppression
15 methods that they knew about then. 16 Q. Okay. Tell me specifically what it is
17 you're looking at and quote me the language,
18 and, then I'm going to ask you why you believe
19 he's talking about high levels. 120 A. I can cite you one paragraph. There
21 may be others. 22 Q. Well, I want you to cite as many 23 paragraphs or sentences as you need to do. 24 A. I could start out with one. I 25 Q. Okay. We'll start with one and then
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1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
i
2 we'll move on to others. Start with one.
2 nothing to do with the question because it's not
3 A. The paragraph reads, "Medical control
3 advancing the ball.
4 consists of taking an x-ray of the lungs
4 A. I have not been asked to address
;
5 annually. The material is moistened and
5 that. What I've been asked to address is the
;
6 localized. Exhaust ventilation is installed over
6 Navy.
:
7 the work area, a respirator is worn during the
7 Q. And, therefore, you can't answer the
5
8 dustiest aspect of the process." And this is
8 question as to whether or not the industrial
;
9 under B "Asbestosis, The Potential Occupation
9 hygiene community in general knew that by 1940 :
10 Disease Hazard Due to Inhalation of Asbestos
10 moistening asbestos-containing materials, using
i
11 Dust." 12 Q. Okay. So the fact that there is a
11 localized exhaust and respirators were some 12 methods to reduce exposure to asbestos?
13 recommendation that x-rays be taken leads you to
13 A. Certainly the industrial hygiene
14 believe he's talking about high levels of
14 medical community in the Navy knew by 1940 that j
15 asbestos exposure?
15 they needed to do these types of methods to
16 A. You take what he's saying in its
16 lower dust.
;
17 entirety, it's obvious to me as a trained
17 Q. And you don't know one way or the
18 industrial hygienist that what he's saying is
18 other whether or not any other industrial
19 that there are certain types of controls that
19 hygiene community knew that, you just don't know ;
20 need to be instituted and worked against type of
20 as you sit here?
f
21 material in which he's listing the ones they
21 A. I haven't been asked to address that
22 used in the Navy at that point in time in 1922.
22 today, but it's -
:
23 So they're well aware in 1922 that it's
23 Q. Saying you haven't been asked to
;
24 important to do medical examinations, to use
24 address that doesn't say to me you know or not.
25 exhaust ventilation and respirators. And as an
25 So whether you've been asked to address it or
;
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 industrial hygienist, that indicates to me that
3 they're aware that they need to control these
4 exposures, they need to make them as low as
5 possible. 6 Q. And that certainly was a well
7 accepted body of knowledge in the industrial
8 hygiene community with respect to asbestos had
9 lower exposures by 1940, right? 10 A. That is referring to what?
11 Q. Moistening the material, using
12 localized exhaust ventilation, using
13 respirators. 14 A. We're confining our talk this morning
15 to the Navy. 16 Q. My question has nothing to do with
17 the Navy. If you can't answer that question,
18 then let me just know you can't answer that
19 question. 20 A. Well, I'm prepared this morning to
21 talk about the Navy. 22 Q. Which means you're not prepared to
23 answer that other question. If you're not, 24 you're not and we will move on to the next
25 question, but I don't need an answer that has
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 not, I'm asking whether you know the answer to
;
3 that question?
i
4 A. I haven't been asked to address it
i
5 and I haven't formulated an opinion on that.
|
6 Q. Okay. The industrial hygienists that
7 were in the Navy it's your belief were being 8 trained at the Harvard School of Public Health?
9 A. It's my understanding that many of
10 the industrial hygiene officers and health and
11 safety professionals did go to the Harvard
12 School of Public Health.
13 Q. Starting in 1922?
14 A. Yes, starting in 1922.
15 Q. Okay. And, in part, is it your
16 opinion that that's where they learned about the
17 hazards of asbestos?
18 A. Could you repeat that, please?
19 Q. Sure. Is it your opinion that
20 industrial hygienists who were in the Navy that
21 went to the Harvard School of Public Health
22 starting in 1922 learned about the hazards of
23 asbestos through their education at the Harvard
24 School of Public Health in part?
25 A. I certainly think that in 1922 the
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2 people, the Navy people attending the Harvard
3 School of Public Health, yes, would have learned
4 that high levels of dust, including high levels
5 of asbestos dust causing asbestosis.
6 Q. And those people would have also
7 learned in part how to control the dust levels
8 such as moistening the material, using localized
9 exhaust or using respirators, right? 10 A. I'd have to refer to some documents
11 to answer that.
12 Q. Such as what? 13 A. Such as some of the documents we were
14 talking about before about the Navy's program
15 going back over time. 16 Q. Okay. The information that was being
17 imparted to the Navy industrial hygienists 18 beginning in 1922 about high levels of asbestos
19 exposure causing asbestosis was not limited to
20 those folks that were in the Navy, was it, at 21 the Harvard School of Public Health? 22 A. Would you mind repeating that,
23 please? 24 Q. Sure. Was it your understanding that
25 the Navy industrial hygienists that were in the
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 Q. Okay. My question is, can you think
3 of any reason why the Harvard School of Public
4 Health would be teaching people who weren't in
5 the Navy differently than they were teaching 6 people who were in the Navy about the hazards of
7 asbestos beginning in 1922? 8 A. I don't know if other people did 9 attend in program starting in 1922, but I can't 10 think of a reason why they would not impart the
11 same information to people. 12 Q. Okay. Anything in Brown that talks
13 about five million particles per cubic foot of
14 air? 15 A. As 1was looking the article over
116 just now I did not see five million particles
17 per cubic foot mentioned. 18 Q. Have you read the minimum 19 requirements for contract shipyards document?
120
A. Yes.
21 Q. What year was that, not that you read
22 it, what year was that document published?
23 A. 1943. 24 Q. Is that a secret document of any
25 kind?
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 Harvard School of Public Health starting in 1922
3 were taught in exclusive classes and nobody else
4 could attend those classes? 5 A. I don't know. 6 Q. Is it your belief that only those 7 folks who were in the Navy at the Harvard School 8 of Public Health beginning in 1922 were given 9 information about the hazards of asbestos? 10 A. I was asked to address the Navy 11 here. I don't know about others. 12 Q. Well, do you think the Harvard School 13 of Public Health would not impart information 14 about the dangers of asbestos to people who were
15 not in the Navy starting in 1922?
16 A. No. i 17 Q. So anybody starting in 1922 who was
18 attending the Harvard School of Public Health 19 would have gotten the same information about the
120 hazards of asbestos as the people in the Navy,
21 right? Is there any reason you can think of why 22 they would be given different information? 1 23 A. I don't know who else attended. It's 24 my understanding that people from the Navy did
25 attend starting in 1922.
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 A. Not that I'm aware of.
3 Q. Do you know what led up to the
4 promulgation of that document?
5 A. It's my understanding there was some
6 studies conducted that led up to the formulation
7 of the minimum requirements.
8 Q. What do you mean by "studies
9 conducted"?
10 A. Studies of Naval locations. To be
11 more specific I would like to refer to the
12 document to answer your question.
13 Q. Okay. But it's your understanding
14 that there was some studies conducted that led
15 up to the issuing of the minimum requirements
16 for contract shipyard documents?
17 A. As I recall. I prefer to look at the
18 document to be more specific.
19 Q. Look at what document?
[20 A. The minimum requirements document.
21
Q. Do you know who wrote the minimum
22 requirements document?
23
MR. SPEZIALI: Tim, do we have the
24 document here?
I 25
MR. KAPSHANDY: Yes.
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1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
j
2 Q. Can you answer any question about the
2 game. We're talking about 100 years of
;
3 minimum requirement document without looking at 3 industrial hygiene history and it's unfair.
4 the minimum requirement document?
4 At this point, she doesn't know. She hasn't
;
5 A. I would like to refer to the
5 memorized the article.
5
6 document.
6 Q. Is that true, you don't know whether
J
7 Q. Okay. So if I asked you who wrote it,
7 or not the minimum requirement document relates
8 you can't tell me that without looking at the
8 to asbestos-containing insulation products?
9 document?
9
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection. She's asked
i
10 A. I would like to look at the document
10 to see the document. Let her see the
11 to answer the question.
11 document.
12 Q. Do you know who the document was
12 A. I'd like to look at the document.
13 addressed to?
13 Q. And so you don't know one way or the
14 A. It was for contract Naval shipyards.
14 other as you sit here without looking at the
15 Q. What does that mean?
15 document, and we'll let you look at the document
16 A. It means shipyards that make or
16 in a minute, whether or not it refers to
17 modify ships that are non-Naval shipyards.
17 asbestos-containing insulating products?
;
18 Q. Okay.
18 A. As I recall, it does, but I'd like to
19 A. Non-US Navy shipyards. They're
19 look at the document.
<
20 contract shipyards.
20 Q. Okay. Why don't you look at the
!
21 Q. The information in minimum
21 document?
22 requirements was not a secret, was it? It was
22 A. Thank you.
23 given to contract shipyards throughout the
23
(Whereupon, the witness peruses the
24 country?
24 computer.)
25 A. I don't know what you call a
25
MR. KRISTAL: Why don't we take a
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 "secret."
2 break?
3 Q. Well, do you have an opinion that 4 people outside of the Navy had knowledge of the
3 Q. Ms. Drucker, you don't have to work 4 through the break. Take a few minutes and come
5 minimum requirements document in 1943?
5 back.
6 A. I haven't been asked to look into
6
(Whereupon, there is a recess in the
7 that. I don't know.
7 proceedings.)
8 Q. So you don't have an opinion one way
8 Q. The Brown article notes an increased
9 or the other?
9 risk of asbestosis in people using
10 A. I wasn't asked to look into that, so
10 asbestos-containing insulating covers; is that
11 I'm not prepared to answer that today. 12 Q. Was the minimum requirements document
11 correct? 12 A. If it could be read back? I read it
13 given to anybody?
13 literally out of the article. I don't have it in
14 A. I'd like to look at the document 15 itself. 16 Q. So you cannot answer that question 17 without looking at the document?
14 front of me. 15 Q. Whatever the term was, I think it was 16 insulating covers, was the increased risk based 17 on any epidemiological study that you're aware
18
MR. KAPSHANDY: I have it up here on
19 the screen. Can she look at it or not?
20
MR. KRISTAL: Not yet.
18 of? 19 A. I'd have to go back and look at it 20 again. I don't know. I'd have to look at the
21 A. Could you repeat that, please?
22 Q. Did the minimum requirements document
23 speak about asbestos insulating products?
24
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection. She's asked
25 to see the article. This isn't a memory
21 article itself. 22 Q. Do you know if there was any
23 epidemiological study that looked at whether or 24 not there was an increased risk of asbestosis of 25 using any asbestos-containing material that was
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2 done before 1940?
3 A. The Dreesen study done in 19381
4 would consider an epidemiological study done on
5 textile workers in a textile mill.
6 Q. Okay. With respect to asbestos
7 insulating covers, or whatever the phrase was
8 Brown used, are you aware of any epidemiological
9 study done on those products with respect to
10 risk of asbestosis?
11 A. You're saying done before a certain
12 date?
13 Q. Before Brown gave that speech.
14 A. I don't know.
15 Q. Is it necessary that there have been
16 an epidemiological study showing an increased
17 risk from asbestos-containing materials that
18 Brown was referring to before he could conclude
19 that there was an increased risk?
20 A. Could you repeat that, please?
| 21 Q. Sure. Is it necessary, or was it
| 22 necessary at the time Brown gave his speech for
23 there to have been an epidemiological study on
124 the particular asbestos-containing products he
25 was talking about for which there was an
Page 76
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct occupational disease. Why don't you get the sentence? Find the Brown article so we get it right.
(Whereupon, the witness peruses the computer.)
A. I think I have the part that you're referring to in front of me.
Q. Okay. Can you read that sentence? A. "Asbestosis, there is a potential occupation disease hazard due to inhalation of asbestos dust among workers engaged in the manufacture of asbestos insulating covers, flanges, valves and high temperature steam turbines." Q. Okay. Now, it's your understanding that Brown is not talking about people in some 8 private factory somewhere manufacturing 9 asbestos-containing insulation covers, right? 20 A. I'm assuming that since he's in the 21 Navy and he's talking about the Navy, I'm 22 assuming he's talking about asbestos in the Navy 23 as a potential occupational disease hazard. 24 Q. Used in insulation covers for 25 flanges, valves and high temperature steam
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 increased risk of asbestosis in order for him to
3 conclude that there was an increased risk of
4 asbestosis? 5 A. I'm not here as a medical and 6 toxicological expert. The question is very 7 vague, so I, maybe you could reword it for me. 8 Q. Sure. I want you to assume there was 9 no epidemiological study showing an increased 10 risk of asbestosis from the types of products 11 Brown was talking about in his speech. I want 12 you to assume that, all right? Are you with me
13 so far? 14 A. Could you repeat that? 15 Q. Sure. I want you to assume there was 16 no epidemiological study that showed an 17 increased risk of asbestosis for the kinds of 18 products that Brown was talking about in his 19 speech. Do you have that assumption in mind?
120 A. Yes. 21 Q. Does that mean that Brown's statement 22 that there was an increased risk is not valid? 23 A. I don't understand the question. I'm
24 sorry. I25 Q. Okay. Brown said that there was an
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 turbines, as he mentions? 3 A. Potential occupational disease, 4 insulation covers for flanges, valves and high 5 temperature steam turbines. 6 Q. And is it fair to say you are not 7 aware one way or the other as to whether or not 8 there were any epidemiological studies that 9 showed there was or was not an increased risk 10 from the use of those materials at that time?
11 A. At that time?
12 Q. Yes. 13 A. In 1940, I'm not aware of an 14 epidemiologic study having been conducted at the 15 time in 1940 on these materials that he mentions
16 in this article. 17 Q. And I'm including prior to 1940? 18 A. He's talking about, it's not clear to 19 me, but he's talking about insulating covers for 20 flanges, valves and high temperature steam 21 turbines. An insulating cover in my experience 22 with the Navy can be a textile material. So 23 whether he's referring to textiles, it's not 24 clear to me. So in 1940 he may have been 25 referring to the study done in the textile
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2 mills. I don't know. 3 Q. Okay. So what's your understanding
4 when he's talking about the product 5 asbestos-containing insulating covers, what is
6 he talking about? 7 A. His description is 8 asbestos-containing insulating covers for 9 flanges, valves and high temperature steam 10 turbines, and that's the description. 11 Q. Okay. Can you tell me any more
12 specifically what it is he's talking about? 13 A. Not based on what's written here, no.
14 Q. How about based on anything else? 15 A. There may be other information in
16 other literature. I don't know. I'm just looking
17 at the words that are written right here. 18 Q. So as you sit here now you can't tell 19 us what Brown was talking about other than the
I20 words he uses which we can all read? 21 A. I'm taking him at his value of his
22 listing of words as they are written.
23
Q. But you can't tell us, can you
24 describe the product he's talking about other
25 than the fact that it contains asbestos and is
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 epidemiological study on that substance showing
3 an increased risk? 4 A. We're using the term epidemiological
5 study a little loosely, so maybe you could 6 define what you're calling an epidemiological 7 study and I can try to answer the question. Can 8 you focus that for me? 9 Q. Can you tell me your understanding of 0 what an epidemiological study is?
1 A. My understanding is that 2 epidemiologic studies study diseases in
3 populations. 4 Q. Do you know anything else about
5 epidemiological studies? 6 A. There are a lot of things that relate 7 to epidemiologic studies. Maybe you could ask
18 me. 19 Q. Sure. Are there different kinds of
20 epidemiological studies? 21 A. If there were two broad studies, 22 prospective and retrospective epidemiological
23 studies. 24 Q. Okay. With respect to retrospective
25 epidemiological studies, are there types of
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 used to insulate flanges, valves and high
3 temperature steam turbines? 4 A. As I sit here now, not beyond what
5 he's listed in this. 6 Q. Fair enough. I want you to assume
7 there was no epidemiological study showing an
8 increased risk of asbestosis from the use of
9 those products. I want you to assume no 10 epidemiological study showing an increased risk
11 of asbestos. Does that fact mean that Brown's
12 conclusion is invalid? 13 A. I don't know how to answer the
14 question. 15 Q. Okay. In order for Brown's
16 statement that there was an increased risk or
17 potential increased risk, would it have been
18 necessary for him to have been relying on an
19 epidemiological study that showed an increased
120 risk? 21 A. I don't understand the question.
22 Q. Okay. In the field of industrial 23 hygiene with respect to any substance before you
24 can say that there is a potential risk of harm
125 from that substance, does there have to be an
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 retrospective epidemiological studies?
3 A. I'm sure there are. I've had some
4 general background in epidemiology, but I'm not
5 an epidemiologist. 6 Q. What do you mean by retrospective
7 epidemiological study? 8 A. Well, in general, retrospective 9 epidemiological studies look back over time and
10 study diseases in populations trying to 11 determine whatever the hypothesis is that
12 they're studying. 13 Q. Okay. In the industrial hygiene
14 community do you need to have a retrospective 15 epidemiological study in order to come to the 16 conclusion that a particular substance increases
17 the risk of that disease? Is that some kind of
18 requirement? 19 A. Well, talking about in general?
20 Q. I'm talking about in general, yes. 21 A. I don't understand the question.
22 Q. You're an industrial hygienist?
23 A. I am. 24 Q. You deal with hazardous substances?
25 A. Yes, I do.
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2 Q. And hazardous substance is a
3 substance that increases the risk of some
4 adverse outcome in humans; is that fair to say?
5 A. In general, I'd say a hazardous
6 substance for the potential for causing harm.
7 Q. And an industrial hygienist before
8 you can conclude that a substance has the
9 potential to cause harm, do you have to have an
10 epidemiological study retrospective or
11 prospective or any other epidemiological study
12 to come to that conclusion?
13 A. I'm not a physician or toxicologist.
14 I have general background in that, and I, I
15 think the question is so broad it could depend
16 on a variety of factors. I don't know how to
17 answer that. 18 Q. Okay. What are the factors it depends
19 on? 20 A. Your question is - 1don't
21 understand it.
22 Q. Okay. For every hazardous substance
23 you're aware of as an industrial hygienist you
24 believe there's been an epidemiological study
25 that shows there is an increased risk of the
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2 A. The first major epidemiological study
3 done on asbestos was published in 1938 by
4 Dreesen, and that was a study done in the
5 asbestos textile mills.
6 Q. And before that study was published
7 the Navy at least as of 1922 knew that asbestos
8 exposure was hazardous, correct?
9 A. I said that before, that study was
10 conducted, it was known that high levels of
11 fibrosis-inducing dust, including asbestos could
12 cause conditions, in this case, asbestosis or
13 other fibrotic conditions that could also be
14 caused.
15 Q. Are you talking about
16 asbestos-related disease? You said or other
17 fibrotic conditions that can be caused. Are you
18 talking about by asbestos?
19 A. I was talking in the general scope of
20 substances that can cause fibrosis of the lung.
21 Q. I'm not talking -
22 A. Including asbestos being one of them.
23 High levels of dust can cause dust disease, the
24 dusty lung that was known.
25 Q. I'm talking about asbestosis and
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 harm from that substance? 3 A. Well, I'd say in the substances 4 listed for ACGIH threshold limit values or OSHA 5 acceptable limits they're set based on best 6 available. Whether that's epidemiologic or not,
7 it depends. 8 Q. Okay. So it doesn't have to be an 9 epidemiological study to conclude a substance is
10 a hazard? It may be or may not be? 11 A. Your question is too broad. I can't
12 answer.
13 Q. Okay. |14 A. I can't answer it. Could you focus it
15 for me, please? 16 Q. Sure. What's the first i 17 epidemiological study with regard to risk of 18 disease from asbestos exposure that you're aware
19 of? 120 A. I'm aware of the first major
21 epidemiological study. 22 Q. I'm not asking major. I'm asking the 23 first you believe in your opinion is the first 124 epidemiological study, major, minor, in the
125 middle?
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2 nothing else. I hope we don't have to go back, 3 but, it's your opinion in 1922 the Navy knew
4 high levels of asbestos exposure to cause
5 asbestosis; is that your opinion? 6 A. It's my opinion that in 1922 that it 7 would have been known that high levels of
8 exposure to dust can cause fibrotic lung
9 conditions. 10 Q. Okay. I'm not asking about dust in
11 general. I'm not asking about fibrotic 12 conditions in general. It's your opinion that it
13 was known in 1922 that high levels of asbestos
14 exposure to cause asbestosis? 15 A. I'd say at about that time it was 16 known that high levels of dust could cause 17 dusty, could cause fibrotic condition, including
18 asbestos at high levels causing asbestosis. 19 Q. And with respect to asbestos and
I 20 asbestosis then, that was 16 years before the
121 first epidemiological study on that subject,
22 right? 23 A. It was years before the Dreesen study.
24 Q. And I thought you said the first 25 epidemiological study with respect to asbestos
22 (Pages 82 to 85)
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2 and asbestosis was 1938?
2 few ways, but, yes, I can say that.
3 A. That's what I just said.
3 Q. Okay. Is there some other
4 Q. Okay. So then in 1922 the knowledge
4 interpretation to epidemiological study that
5 about asbestos causing asbestosis was 16 years
5 would lead you to believe that there was a
6 before the first epidemiological study on that
6 epidemiological study before 1938 that showed an
7 subject?
7 increased risk of asbestosis from high levels of
8 A. Going back in time being there, back
8 asbestos exposure?
9 then it was known that high levels of dust could
9 A. In terms of an epidemiological study
10 cause dusty, a dusty lung type condition, and,
10 correlating various factors, including exposure
11 yes, it was 16 years taking the date 1922,
11 in which Dreesen did in 1938, to me, that's the
12 thafs 16 years before Dreesen in 1938.
12 first epidemiological study of that type
13 Q. So it was known that asbestos
13 correlating health factors with exposure.
14 exposure at high levels could cause asbestosis
14 Q. Okay. Is there some other type of
15 16 years before a epidemiological study was done 15 epidemiological study that correlated an
16 on that subject?
16 increased risk of asbestosis from asbestos?
17 A. Can you repeat that, please?
17 A. I'm here not -- maybe what other
18 Q. Sure. In 1922, it was known that high
18 people are calling epidemiological studies I
19 levels of asbestos exposure to cause asbestos
19 would not.
20 disease and that was 16 years before the first
20 Q. Have you read the Merriwether study
21 epidemiological study on that subject?
21 from 1930 on asbestos exposure and asbestos
22 A. What I said before was that the Navy
22 disease?
23 was aware in 1922, the Navy would have been
23 A. Yes, I've read Merriwether and Price
24 aware, and I'm gearing my remarks this morning
24 1930.
25 to the Navy, and the Navy would have been aware 25 Q. Is that a epidemiological study?
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2 that high levels of exposure to different kinds
2 A. I'd have to look at the article to
3 of dust would have caused a dusty lung
3 answer your question, but, in terms of
4 condition, in this case asbestosis.
4 quantifying exposure and correlating it with
5 Q. So 16 years before the first
5 disease --
6 epidemiological study on the subject of asbestos
6 Q. I'm not talking about quantifying
7 the Navy knew that high levels of exposure to
7 exposure. I'm talking about a belief that there
8 asbestos could cause asbestosis?
8 was an increased risk of asbestosis from
9 A. Well, the health and safety
9 asbestos exposure, what was the first
10 professionals of the Navy could be trained,
10 epidemiological study on that subject, to your
11 would have been aware of the high level of
11 knowledge?
12 exposure to fibrosis conditions such as asbestos
12 A. I'd rather not use the term since I
13 dust could cause in this case asbestosis.
13 don't feel comfortable that we're talking about
14 Q. And that was 16 years before the
14 the same thing as far as epidemiological study.
15 first epidemiological study on that, that was 16
15 I'll say that Dreesen was the first study that
16 years before the first epidemiological study on
16 was correlating disease and quantified the
17 that subject? It sounds like math to me. I don't
17 number that they assumed or which they believed
18 know why we're having such a difficult time
18 was safe, meaning the five million particles per
19 here.
19 cubic foot.
20
You said the first epidemiological
20 Q. So you're saying a epidemiological
21 study was 1938 that showed an increased risk of
21 study is only a study that quantifies a number
22 asbestos disease from high levels of asbestos
22 above or below an increased risk?
23 exposure, right?
23 A. I'm not a epidemiologist and I'mj ust
24 A. Yes. And I mentioned before that the
24 trying to define the study for you, meaning,
25 term epidemiologic study can be interpreted in a
25 they quantified exposure, they measured certain
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2 disease factors and came up with a level that
3 they thought was safe. What other people call
4 epidemiologic studies or not, I don't know.
5 Q. So you don't know whether the
6 Merriwether and Price study was or was not an
7 epidemiological study?
8 A. I think we're using the term
9 epidemiological study here more loosely than I
10 feel comfortable with.
11 Q. Okay. An epidemiological study is a
12 study looking at populations of humans that
13 demonstrates or doesn't demonstrate, tests the
14 hypothesis where there's an increased risk from
15 a certain exposure. Using that definition, what
16 was the first epidemiological study with respect
17 to asbestos disease that you're aware of?
18 A. Well, I'll use my definition.
19 Q. I'm asking you to use my definition.
20 A. I can't. I'm sorry.
21 Q. You can't tell us what the first
22 study is that you're aware of that demonstrated
23 an increased risk of asbestosis from any
24 asbestos exposure? It's a simple yes or no. You
25 can or can't. I'm not asking for your
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2 as an industrial hygienist, and I really am
3 having trouble with your broad term of
4 epidemiological study.
5 Q. And I understand you're having that
6 trouble, or at least you're saying you're having
7 that trouble. What I'm trying to do now is
8 eliminate that trouble, because I'm asking you
9 for your definition of an epidemiological study?
0 A. Well, as I said before, in general
1 epidemiologic studies study diseases in
2 populations.
3 Q. Are you done?
4 A. That's a general term.
5 Q. Okay.
6 A. As an industrial hygienist I have
7 studied epidemiology, I have a general
8 background in it.
9 Q. Okay. Using your definition, a study
20 that looks at diseases in populations, when was
21 the first such study with respect to asbestos?
22 A. I'd have to look at some documents
23 because you're using this term so broadly right
24 now that I have to return to look at some of the
25 materials.
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2 definition. I'm asking for my definition now. 3 A. Can you repeat that? Your questions
4 seem to be changing and I'm trying to focus in to
5 answer what you're asking. 6 Q. I want you to define epidemiological
7 study as a study that looks at whether or not
8 there's an increased risk of a disease from an
9 exposure. With that definition, can you tell me
10 what the first epidemiological study with
11 respect to asbestos exposure was, when it was
12 done and who authored it?
13 A. If we're looking at an epidemiologic
14 study of textile workers, that was done in 1938
15 by Dreesen where he correlated exposure and
16 disease, came up with a level that he thought
17 was safe, five million particles per cubic foot.
18 Q. Okay. How about any workers? I'm not
19 limiting my definition to textile workers.
20 A. Your question is so broad I don't
21 know how else to answer it. 22 Q. I don't understand why you think my
23 question is broad. Tell me your definition of an
24 epidemiological study? 25 A. I am not a epidemiologist. I sit here
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2 Q. I'm using your definition. You just
3 gave me your definition. I'll take that 4 definition. Can you tell me when was the first
5 such study without looking at documents? 6 A. As I said before, Dreesen was the 7 first study that correlated, that measured 8 exposures and that correlated disease, and, to 9 me, that is an epidemiologic study. Whether
10 there were others, I don't feel comfortable in 11 saying because of this definition being so broad
12 and 1need to look at other materials. 13 Q. What definition being so broad?
14 A. When we're talking about
15 epidemiologic study. 16 Q. I'm talking about studies that look
17 at disease in populations, that's what I'm 18 talking about, because that's my understanding 19 of how you defined epidemiologic studies. With
20 that definition, the one that you gave, when was
21 the first such study with respect to asbestos,
22 the study that looked at diseases in populations
23 with respect to asbestos exposure? 24 A. Well, as an industrial hygienist 25 looking at quantifying certain levels -
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2 Q. Your definition didn't mention
2 Q. Okay. And by "documents," you're
3 quantifying levels, did it?
3 talking about the list that we've been referring
4 A. No.
4 to?
5 Q. Because if you want to define your
5 A. There are some documents that are
6 definition of an epidemiological study as
6 listed on the list, there are some that may not
7 quantifying measures, we can to -
7 be that I just know from past experience and
8 A. If you want me to answer the question
8 training in asbestos.
9 the way I can, I'll do it. If you're trying to
9 Q. What do you mean that you know?
10 answer my question, I don't think that's the way
10 A. That I'm familiar with.
11 this is supposed to work.
11 Q. Well, then tell me about it. If
12 Q. Put qualification aside. Forget about
12 you're familiar with the article, why can't you
13 qualification. I'mjust talking about a study
13 tell me about them?
14 that talked about diseases in population without
14
MR. SPEZIALI: As you sit here today,
15 any quantification involved. Do you know when
15 do you know off the top of your head any
16 the first such study with respect to asbestos
16 other studies, epidemiological studies
17 was?
17 anywhere in the world prior to Dreesen.
18 A. I'll say as an industrial hygienist
18
THE WITNESS: As I sit here today,
19 that I look at what we're discussing right now,
19 Dreesen is the one that comes to mind.
20 I would say that the Dreesen study in 1938 which
20
MR. SPEZIALI: Okay.
21 studied diseases in textile workers and
21 Q. Have you read Dr. Betts' deposition
22 correlated exposures with diseases established
22 that I took recently?
23 what was considered a safe level of five million
23 A. Yes.
24 per cubic foot at that point is what I
24 Q. When did you read that?
25 consider the first major epidemiologic study
25 A. About a week ago.
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2 as far as asbestos in this country.
2 Q. Okay. And have you spoken to Dr.
3 Q. I'm not limiting my question to this
3 Betts?
4 country. I'm not limiting my question to major
4 A. Not since a week ago.
5 or minor. Is your answer the same that -
5 Q. Okay. How about before that?
6 A. I don't know.
6 A. Several months ago I met Dr. Betts on
7 Q. You qualified your answer with
7 an occasion.
8 respect to Dreesen in terms of a major study and
8 Q. Were you done?
9 in this country, and I was not limiting my
9 A. Yes.
10 question to major or otherwise nor to this
10 Q. Who else was with you when you met
11 country. So without those limitations, is your
11 Dr. Betts?
12 answer any different?
12 A. When I met Dr. Betts, Mr. Kapshandy
13 A. Well, the way I look at a
13 was there, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Speziali.
14 epidemiologic study being as comprehensive as
14 Q. Anybody else besides you, Dr. Betts
15 Dreesen was measuring various factors as far as
15 and the GE attorneys you've mentioned?
16 exposure correlating health effects, I would say
16 A. Not that I recall.
17 that that is the first study of that type in
17 Q. Okay. Was your understanding these
18 this country.
18 other folks were GE attorneys?
19 Q. Okay. Is there any other study of any
19 A. Could you say that again?
20 other type that looked at diseases in
20 Q. Sure. The folks other than you and
21 populations other than Dreesen before Dreesen?
21 Dr. Betts that you just mentioned were General
22 A. Well, when we're talking about
22 Electric attorneys, attorneys obtained by
23 diseases in populations that's a general term
23 General Electric with respect to asbestos
24 and I would have to look at the documents to be
24 litigation?
25 more comprehensive in my answer.
25 A. Yes, that's my understanding, they're
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2 attorneys retained by General Electric.
3 Q. Where was this meeting?
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2 for the Navy and we were just talking about
3 things in general.
Page 100 :
;
4 A. It was in Chicago.
4 Q. Did you discuss anything relating to
5 Q. And when was it?
5 the Navy's knowledge historically about the
6 A. I'd say in late fall of 2003.
6 hazards of asbestos?
7 Q. And did Dr. Betts show you his Power
7 A. At what time period are you talking
8 Point presentation at that time?
8 about?
9 A. No.
9 Q. You had a meeting with Dr. Betts in
10 Q. Did you discuss the subject that
10 late 2003 in Chicago with the GE lawyers, right?
11 we're discussing now, Navy knowledge of the
11 A. Yes.
12 hazards of asbestos?
12 Q. It's a simple question. Did you
13 A. Well, it depends on which point in
13 discuss in that meeting the subject of the
14 time. Dr. Betts had an illustrious career with
14 Navy's knowledge of the hazards of asbestos
15 the Navy and I had worked for the Navy, as well,
15 historically with Betts, with anybody else at
16 and we talked about things that happened in the
16 the meeting? I'm assuming everybody was talking,
17 Navy contemporaneous when we were there.
17 right, or maybe my assumption is wrong?
18 Q. You worked for the Navy when?
18
MR. SPEZIALI: Up to now you said
19 A. I worked for the Navy from 1976 to
19 Betts. Do you understand what I'm saying?
20 1977.
20 Q. Did the subject of the Navy's
21 Q. When in '76?
21 historical knowledge of the hazards of asbestos
22 A. July 1976.
22 come up during that meeting?
23 Q. To when in '77?
23 A. Well, I'd say in general that Dr.
24 A. July 1977.
24 Betts was very proud of --
25 Q. Okay. And that was at the Long Beach
25 Q. I'm not asking you the substance yet.
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2 Navy Shipyard?
3 A. Yes.
4 Q. So you worked for one year as a
5 civilian employee of the Navy?
6 A. Yes. 7 Q. And you're saying your conversation 8 with Dr. Betts related only to your experience
9 in that one year?
10 A. No.
11 Q. So you spoke with Dr. Betts and the
12 GE lawyers about the Navy's knowledge
13 historically about the hazards of asbestos,
14 didn't you? You weren't there to talk about the
15 Cubs?
16 A. Well, I'd say our conversation was
17 general, social and did cover on his career,
18 what he had been doing when I worked for the
19 Navy, general things like that.
20 Q. Did you get paid by GE for your time
21 at the meeting?
22 A. Yes, I did. 23 Q. You're saying you were talking about
24 social things? 25 A. Well, we knew people who had worked
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2 I'm just asking you if the subject came up?
3 A. Well, the question is very broad. I'd
;
4 say in general the subject of the Navy and their
5 excellent health and safety program came up. 6 Q. And did the subject of the hazards of 7 asbestos and when the Navy knew of those hazards 8 come up? 9 A. As I sit here right now, I don't
10 recall.
11 Q. So tell me all the subjects that were 12 discussed at this meeting? How wonderful the
13 Navy was. What else?
14 A. Well, certainly, Dr. Betts was very
15 proud of the Navy's program.
16 Q. Okay. 17 A. The Navy had been on the cutting edge
18 of information relating to health and safety and
19 asbestos.
20 Q. Okay. So other than Dr. Betts'pride
21 and how wonderful the Navy was, what else? 22 A. I was familiar with that, too. I 23 worked with the Navy and I was familiar with 24 their fine programs in health and safety, and 25 particularly with regard to asbestos.
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2 Q. Well, what did you know in the 1970s
2 Felton (phonetic), and I had spent considerable
*
3 about the Navy's programs with respect to
3 time with him, and that was one person from whom ;
4 asbestos historically?
4 I learned about the long tradition of the Navy's
;
5 A. Could you repeat that?
5 health and safety program.
;
6 Q. Sure. What did you know when you were
6 Q. I'm talking about the hazards of
;
7 in the Navy between July '76 and July '77 about
7 asbestos?
i
8 the historical knowledge of the Navy with
8 A. Can I finish?
9 respect to the hazards of asbestos?
9 Q. If you're talking more broadly than
:
10 A. Well, I was a civilian employee with
10 that, I don't really care what your answer is. I
11 the Navy. I was the industrial hygienist at the
11 really don't. I'm talking about the hazards of
i
12 Long Beach Naval Shipyard. I did surveys on the
12 asbestos historically?
13 ships and on the land and I had contact with
13 A. I'm trying to answer your question,
j
14 medical and industrial hygiene personnel who had 14 but you cut me off I don't know what to do.
i
15 been there for long periods of time, and, the
15 Q. Did Dr. Gene Spencer Felton talk to
16 history of the Navy and occupational health and
16 you about the Navy's historical knowledge about
17 safety and industrial hygiene was just part of
17 the hazards of asbestos?
i
18 the background of being in a position like that.
18 A. I would say in general Dr. Gene
19
I saw documents that went back to,
19 Spencer Felton did talk to me about the Navy's
20 that covered Navy policy and Navy programs, and, 20 long-standing tradition in health and safety
21 just having been there, I was familiar with the
21 related to asbestos, yes.
22 Navy's knowledge.
22
When I was there at the Long Beach
23 Q. Of what?
23 Navy Shipyard Dr. Selikoff came to talk
24 A. Of health and safety.
24 to workers and I had a chance to spend time
25 Q. I'm talking about the hazards of
25 with Dr. Selikoff and discuss some of his
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2 asbestos. I want to know what you knew in the
2 surveys he was doing, and, as part of what he
3 1970s about the Navy's knowledge historically
3 was talking about at the shipyard when he was
4 about the hazards of asbestos?
4 meeting with the health and safety staff and the
5 A. It's a very broad question, but I was
5 workers, he discussed various things related to
6 hired, one of the main activities that I was to
6 asbestos and the surveys he had been doing with
7 perform was to do asbestos-related work on the
7 the Navy going back over time.
8 ships in these shops, and, as part of my job, I
8 Q. Okay. Dr. Selikoff was not around
9 was given background information and training on 9 doing studies when Dr. Brown wrote about the
10 the Navy's historical knowledge, policies, the
10 risks of asbestos insulating covers and
11 way they went about controlling environment,
11 asbestosis, right?
12 protecting people.
12 A. I don't know what Dr. Selikoff was
13 Q. Who gave you that?
13 doing then. He was at the shipyard 1976, '77
14 A. Things of that nature, that would be
14 when I was there. The Brown article, as you
15 part of the recognition evaluation and control,
15 know, is from 1940.
16 which is what I as an industrial hygienist did 17 for the Navy.
16 Q. Right. So what I'm saying is, 17 Selikoff did not discover there was a risk of
18 Q. Who gave you that information in the
18 asbestosis from asbestos insulation from
19 Navy?
19 asbestos-containing insulating covers, right?
20 A. There were a variety of people.
20 A. No, Dr. Selikoff was not the first
21 Q. Okay. Name one?
21 person. Can you say that again, please? I want
22 A. Industrial hygiene people.
22 to answer the question.
23 Q. Name one?
23 Q. Sure. Do you interpret Brown's
24 A. The medical director for the civilian
24 article to mean that people who are using
25 part of the shipyard was a Dr. Gene Spencer
25 asbestos-containing insulating materials are
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2 potentially at risk for asbestos disease in the
2 A. I have a section, it's called 11.1,
3 1940s?
3 it's under "Jobs Requiring Respiratory
4 A. According to Brown's description,
4 Protective Equipment."
5 yes, that's what he was writing about, part of
5 Q. Okay. And what does it say with
6 it.
6 respect to asbestosis?
7 Q. Okay. That was some 20 plus years
7 A. It says, "Asbestos (as in covering
8 before Selikoff ever published anything on
8 pipes) required either an air line respirator or
9 asbestos; is that fair to say?
9 a dust respirator."
10 A. I don't know.
10 Q. Okay. And that was to reduce the
11 Q. Do you know when Dr. Selikoff first 12 published on the hazards of asbestos? 13 A. I'd have to look that up.
11 exposure to asbestos from that activity, right? 12 A. I would assume that, yes, to reduce 13 the exposure to asbestos from that - - 1don't
14 Q. Do you know if it was in the fifties?
14 know what you mean by "that activity." It was -
15 A. Generally, I'm familiar with his work
15 Q. Well, it says covering pipes, right?
16 in the sixties. If he did do something before
16 A. "As in covering pipes," yes. As in
17 that, before the sixties, you know, I don't
17 covering pipe activity, yes.
18 know, but, in general, his studies were, say,
18 Q. So Selikoff did not discover that
19 mid-sixties, '70.
19 covering of pipes with asbestos-containing
20 Q. What population was Selikoff studying
20 insulation material was a hazard, right? That
21 in the mid-sixties and seventies?
21 was known at least as of 1943?
22 A. In the mid-sixties, 1970, Dr.
22 A. Yes, I would say it was known in 1943
23 Selikoff was primarily studying insulators.
23 that they needed to keep the dust exposure
24 Q. And that risk to insulators from
24 levels down so they could recommend certain
25 asbestos exposure was known at least as of 1940,
25 minimum requirements, literally, this being for
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2 right?
2 respiratory protection.
3 A. As I said, knowing what we looked at
3 Q. And the reason you wanted to keep the
4 in the Brown article, I don't know exactly what
4 levels down was because you wanted to reduce the
5 he was describing.
5 risk of disease, right?
6 Q. Well, we'll get to the minimum
6 A. The reason why you wanted to keep the
7 requirements document. But they were talking
7 asbestos levels down, yes, you wanted to reduce
8 about asbestos-containing materials and people
8 the exposure to asbestos and reduce the
9 using asbestos-containing insulating materials,
9 likelihood of disease.
10 right?
10 Q. Is that the section on respirators?
11 A. I would have to look at the article.
11 A. Yes.
12 Q. Why don't you look at the article?
12 Q. Can you go to the introductory
13 A. Okay.
13 paragraph of that where they talk about the,
14
(Whereupon, the witness peruses the
14 there's a reference to a manual or American
15 computer.)
15 standard with respect to respirators. Do you see
16 Q. Do you have the minimum requirements
16 that? Do you want me to try to find it?
17 there?
17 A. Yes.
18 A. Yes.
18
(Whereupon, Mr. Kristal peruses the
19 Q. I think the section on asbestosis, I
19 computer.)
20 think it's H 13, maybe Page 9. I'm doing it off
20 Q. The section right after that, 11.7,
21 the top of my head so I'm not sure if that's
21 what does that say?
22 accurate.
22 A. 11.7, "Air supply for air line masks
23
(Whereupon, the witness continues to
23 of all kinds."
24 peruse the computer.)
24 Q. Right. What does the section say?
25 Q. Do you have that section?
25 A. "Air at a comfortable temperature and
T?
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|
2 free from odors and excessive moisture sometimes
2
A. I would like to check.
1
3 is difficult to furnish especially for outdoor
3 Q. Okay.
s
4 jobs in winter. Air adequate and temperature
4
(Whereupon, the witness continues to
;
5 shall be used."
5 peruse the computer.)
5
6 Q. I think you're reading the wrong
6
MR. SPEZIALI: I'm drawing on memory
7 thing.
7 here but sort of looking over the shoulder
8 A. That's 11.7.
8 here. I'm not so sure the entire document
9 Q. Okay. Maybe I misread it. It referred
9 is there. My recollection is it's a
10 to what's in this section, so I apologize
10 multi-page document, and Fm only seeing
11 because that caught my eye. This is the section,
11 about four pages here.
12 10.3, "General Requirements for Respirators." Do 12
MR. KRISTAL: Then it's definitely not
;
13 you see that? That references something, does it
13 there. It's way more than four pages.
14 not?
14
MR. SPEZIALI: I know what you're
\
15 A. Yes. Would you like me to read it?
15 referring to, and I dont think it's
;
16 Q. Yes, please.
16 there.
17 A. "General Requirements for
17 A. There appears to be four pages in
;
18 Respirators. Adequate protection is defined by
18 total here and that's it. I don't have the
19 the American Standards Safety Code for the
19 entire document in front of me.
20 protection of heads, eyes and respiratory organs
20 Q. If you look at the introduction of
[
21 Handbook H 24 November 3rd," it looks like 1938. 21 the document, which I think is there, it was
j
22 Q. Right.
22 addressed to contractors, was it not?
23 A. "Superintendent of Documents,
23 A. It's addressed all contractors
24 Washington DC. Price: $.15."
24 constructing ships for the United States Navy
25 Q. Have you ever read that document?
25 and the Maritime Commission.
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2 A. Maybe, maybe not. I don't recall.
2 Q. Okay. So does that lead you to
3 Q. Do you know whether GE, a GE employee 3 conclude that the document was widely
4 was on the committee that wrote that document?
4 disseminated?
5 A. No.
5 A. I think that it went to the people
6 Q. Okay. The section that you read about
6 who it was intended to go to, the contractors
7 asbestos exposure and people insulating pipes
7 constructing ships for the United States Navy
8 required to wear types, the types of respirators
8 and the United States Maritime Commission.
9 you mentioned, is that the only section in the
9 Q. Do you know how many such shipyards
10 minimum requirements on asbestos?
10 there were in the US in 1943, shipyards building
11 A. I would have to look through the
11 US maritime ships?
12 document to answer that.
12 A. No, I don't.
13 Q. All right. Why don't you do that.
14
MR. SPEZIALI: Are we going to take a
13 Q. Do you know how many contractors 14 throughout the US that that document would have
15 break at some point?
15 been distributed to?
16
MR. KRISTAL: Sure. Why don't we just
16 A. You mean how many contractors
17 finish this section.
17 constructed ships for the United States Navy and
18 Q. It's in the 13's, I believe, Section
18 Maritime Commission?
19 13,1think.
19 Q. Yes.
20
(Whereupon, the witness peruses the
20 A. Not as I sit here right now.
21 computer.)
21 Q. What do you mean not as you sit here
22 A. I don't show a Section 13 on here.
22 right now?
23 Q. It may not be 13. There's a section
23 A. Well, as I sit here right now, I
24 on asbestosis, right, or you need to look to
24 don't.
25 see?
25 Q. Okay. Is it fair to say though this
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2 was not any sort o f secret document o f any kind,
3 it wasn't meant to be exclusive to the Navy or
4 the US Maritime Commission, right?
5 A. Right, I don't think this was a
6 secret document. 7 Q. So anybody who would have received
8 this document or was aware of the document if 9 they read it would be aware of the information
10 in the document? It's just logic, it seems to me? 11 A. If people received it and read it
112 they would have been aware of the information.
13 Q. And the respirator manual we looked
14 at earlier, Section 10.3, that was available at 15 the time for $. 15 from the government printing
16 office, right? 117 A. If it's the one I just read into the 18 record, yes, that one was available for $. 15 at
19 the time. I 20 Q. So publicly available information at
21 the time? 22 A. Yes, if we're talking about the
23 specific information, yes.
24
MR. KRISTAL: Why don't we take a
25 break?
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1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 the document to check the date or otherwise
3 intimate that you were off by 20 years?
4 A. No. I was looking at the document.
5 Q. Just on your own? 6 A. I was looking at the documents to 7 double check. I mentioned before I wanted to
8 look at some documents. 9 Q. What led you to double check the
10 date? 11 A. What led me to double check it?
12 Q. Just to double check it for myself.
13 A. Just for myself. 14 Q. What other dates did you double
15 check? 16 A. The date of 1922 from when, from the
17 Navy program starting in 1922. 18 Q. What other dates did you check? 19 A. As I said, th e'22 date which I had
20 mentioned for the Navy inception program.
21 Q. My question has nothing to do with
22 that. I'm asking now, what other dates, or, if
| 23 you didn't check any other dates you can say no
24 other dates? 25 A. No other dates.
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
(Whereupon, there is a recess in the
3 proceedings.)
4
MR. KRISTAL: Do we have the full
5 minimum requirements?
6
MR. KAPSHANDY: No, I don't believe
7 so.
8
MR. KRISTAL: Okay.
9 Q. Can you pull up the section on the
10 respirator that mentioned asbestos and the types
11 of respirators to be used? 12 A. Yes. I had a chance to double check a
13 document over lunch and I'd like to make a
14 correction to something that I said before, and,
115 that was that the first Naval people went to the
16 Harvard School of Public Health in 1942, not '22
17 as I mentioned before.
118 Q. Okay. 19 A. So I just want to correct that.
120 Q. Who told you that you had made a
21 mistake? 22 A. I went to look at the document and I 23 discovered it myself. So I looked at it and I
24 noticed that it was '42, not '22. 125 Q. Did anybody suggest that you look at
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2
MR. SPEZIALI: She had lunch with me,
3 Mr. Kapshandy, Mr. Emery, Mr. Fitzpatrick
4 and we provided her with the transcript
5 from the Betts deposition which we told you
6 we were going to provide her with at the
7 lunch break. 8 Q. Why don't we go to the minimum
9 requirements document.
10 A. I got it here, and I think this is
11 the abbreviated one. 12 Q. Well, when you say "abbreviated,"
i 13 it's the one that's missing a lot of pages, it's
14 not an abbreviated version?
15 A. Yes. 16 Q. And the section on the respirators
j 17 that mentioned asbestos and the types of
18 respirators to be used? 19 A. Yes, it has a section on that.
I 20 Q. And it is saying that when asbestos
21 pipe- - strike that.
22
Can you read the first sentence
23 again, asbestos in pipe covering or something to
24 that effect? I 25 A. Yes. It's "Jobs Requiring Respiratory
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s
2 Protective Equipment," and it's listed "Dust
2 they're breathing fresh air.
1
3 asbestos as in," it looks like covering pipes
3 Q. Okay. And it doesn't say that an air
J
4 air line respirator, dust respirator.
4 line respirator is required when there are high
5
5 Q. Okay. And an air line respirator is a
5 levels of asbestos dust, does it?
;
6 respirator such that the person wearing it is
6 A. As I read this right now it just says
l
7 not breathing any outside air, right, it's
7 dust.
1
8 self-contained?
8 Q. So it's saying when you're doing a
f
9 A. No. An air line respirator is a type
9 job in which you are using an
10 of respirator that supplies air from a remote
10 asbestos-containing product you should be
?
11 source, meaning, not from the immediate
11 wearing an air line respirator or the other
5
12 vicinity. Sometimes, I don't consider
12 option was the dust respirator, right?
^
13 self-contained breathing apparatus as part of
13 A. No. Specifically what it says here is
J
14 that what I think you're describing. Air line
14 when you're covering pipes.
5
15 meaning to me that there's a line to a remote
15 Q. Okay.
;
16 source to fresh air bringing it in.
16 A. So it says asbestos covered pipes,
17 Q. But the air line respirator referred
17 air line respirator or -
18 to there prevents the person from breathing any
18 Q. It says asbestos as in covering
19 of the air that is in an area that asbestos is
19 pipes, right?
20 being used?
20 A. Correct.
i
21 A. Depending on a variety of factors,
21 Q. So they're using that as an example,
22 yes, it's hoped that an air line respirator
22 correct?
;
23 would provide a fresh air supply to the person,
23 A. Yes, it is used as an example. It
24 yes.
24 says asbestos as in covering pipe.
25 Q. And the air that's being supplied to
25 Q. But it's not meant to be, at least
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2 the person is coming from a hose that is far
2 your understanding of it, exclusive to that
3 away from where the asbestos is being used,
3 activity of covering pipes, correct?
4 right?
4 A. Right.
5 A. What you're talking about asbestos,
5 Q. Okay. And they're not talking about
6 I'd say in general.
6 whether the level is high, low or somewhere in
7 Q. I'm not talking in general. I'm
7 between, they're saying if you're working with
8 talking about as you understand that section
8 asbestos as in covering pipes you should wear
9 where it says jobs requiring respirators for
9 either a full air line respirator, right?
10 asbestos, including covering pipes, it says one
10 A. Okay.
11 of the recommendations or requirements is an air
11 Q. Or the dust respirator, correct?
12 line respirator, right?
12 A. Yes. If we're just looking at this
13 A. Yes.
13 section, yes, that's what it says. I don't have
14 Q. I'm trying to get your understanding
14 the rest of all the, what might be in the
15 of what that means. Are you with me?
15 article, but, yes, that's correct, it says
16 A. Yes.
16 asbestos if it's present.
17 Q. Okay. Ifs your understanding that
17 Q. By that are you saying that you think
18 that means there's a hose that is leading away 19 from the person that is accessible to fresh air 20 so when the person is breathing the person is 21 breathing from a source that is not in the
18 there may be something that talks about only 19 wearing respiratory protection or taking other 20 protective measures when you're around high 21 levels of asbestos or you don't know without
22 immediate area where the asbestos is being used?
22 looking?
23 A. Right. It's connecting the person by 24 hose to a source of air where the contaminant of
23 A. Other than looking through the whole 24 document, just looking at this itjust says
25 interest is not present so that, in other words,
25 asbestos dust.
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2 Q. Okay. No mention in the minimum
3 requirements about the five million particles
4 per cubic foot of air?
5 A. From the section I'm looking at right
6 now, it doesn't mention that.
7 Q. Without looking at the other pages
8 which we don't have in front of us you can't
9 answer that question?
10 A. With certainty, no.
11 Q. How about to a reasonable degree of
12 certainty?
13 A. I'd have to refresh myself. 1just
14 looked at the document, so...
15 Q. Do you know whether the document
16 refers to various methods of manipulating
17 asbestos-containing products as increasing your
18 risk of asbestosis?
19 A. I'd have to double check and look at
20 the document.
| 21
(Whereupon, Resume is marked
22 Plaintiffs Drucker Exhibit 2 For
123 Identification.)
| 24 Q. Let me talk about your resume. I
i25 marked this Exhibit 2. Is that a copy of your
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
public can look at?
A. I've given talks at professional
4 association meetings that it's my understanding
were reprinted and the public and technical
people there looked at.
Q. Anything else?
i A. Not that I recall.
Q. When you say not that you recall, are
0 you saying there may be other things and you
1 just don't remember them, or is that the
2 universe of broad categories in which you've
3 published?
4 A. I'd say that's the universe of broad
5 categories.
6 Q. Now, the newspaper articles, are
7 these articles or columns? Do you know the
8 difference? An article is reporting something on
9 a news topic. A column is kind of expressing an
20 opinion on something.
21 A. Yes, they were columns.
22 Q. Okay. And during what period of time
23 did you write any newspaper columns?
24 A. I wrote a newspaper column for a
25 period of time, would have been maybe about the
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 resume? Do you have a copy in front of you?
3 A. Yes, I do. 4 Q. Have you ever published anything
5 that's been published in any sort of 6 professional journal on any subject? 7 A. I've published some newspaper
8 articles. 9 Q. Right. I'm talking about professional
10 journals. That's why I asked the question that
11 way? 12 A. I'm trying to answer your question
13 fully. 14 Q. Well, my question is, have you ever
15 published anything on any topic in any
16 professional journal?
17 A. No. 18 Q. Have you ever published anything on
19 anything, which is obviously a broader question?
I 20 A. I've had newspaper articles that I've
21 written published.
22 Q. Anything else? 23 A. I've given some talks at professional
24 associations. I 25 Q- I'm talking about things that the
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 mid-1990s and another series of articles going
3 back to probably the early seventies.
4 Q. So for a period of time in the 5 mid-1990s you wrote some newspaper columns? I'm
6 going to get to the seventies in a little
7 while.
8 A. Yes. 9 Q. Okay. How long a period of time? Can
10 you give me years, or is it less than a year? 11 A. It was less than a year. I'd say 12 maybe about five, six months. 13 Q. How often did you write these
14 columns? Was it weekly? Monthly? Daily?
15 A. It was about once a month. 16 Q. So you've written about five or six
17 newspaper columns in a one-year period in the
18 mid-1990s?
19 A. Yes. 20 Q. Okay. And for what newspapers did you
21 write this series of five or six columns?
22 A. The publication was called the 23 California Newspaper Publishers Association
24 Journal Newspaper. 25 Q. So it was a newspaper for the
32 (Pages 122 to 125)
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2 California Newspaper Publishers Association?
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 A. Y es,Ido.
3 A. That's correct.
3
MR. KRISTAL: I would request a copy
4 Q. Okay. And so was this publicly
4 of that.
5 available, in other words, it's not like you go 6 to a newsstand and pick one up, or maybe you do, 7 I don't know? 8 A. I think it went to all the California 9 newspaper publishers, and, whether it's publicly 10 available beyond that, I don't know. 11 Q. And how did you get involved in doing
12 that? 13 A. California newspaper publishers, of 14 which there were many hundred, were looking for 15 consultants in the State of California to assist 16 the newspapers and they had a competition like a 17 request for proposals and they chose a firm from 18 northern California and a firm for southern 19 California, and mine was the firm from southern 20 California chosen to be a consultant throughout 21 southern California for the newspapers. So as 22 part of that I suggested and accepted that I 23 would write a newspaper article for their 24 publishers on various health and safety topics. 25 Q. And what were the topics you wrote
5 Q. It didn't discuss at all any of
6 subjects that you are going to be testifying
7 about for GE in terms of the Navy's knowledge of
8 the hazards of asbestos?
9 A. Except in the broad sense it had to
10 do with asbestos and asbestos is part of what
11 I'm looking at. It didn't talk about GE.
5
12 Q. And it didn't look at any historical
:
13 perspective, did it?
?
14 A. Not that I recall, except maybe
;
15 talking about standards and things like that.
16 Q. You're talking about OSHA standards?
17 A. Relevant standards that people who
j
18 have premises would be very interested in
;
19 because they're responsible for the safety of
20 the people within their premises.
21 Q. So you weren't discussing the
22 standards in a historical context, you were
23 informing the premises owners what the standards
24 were so if they measured they would know if they
25 were above or below the current standards?
:
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2 for?
2 A. Yes.
;
3 A. As I recall, there was one column on
3 Q. And somewhere in '76 or that time
4 asbestos, maybe one on indoor air quality,
4 frame?
5 another was an interview with the then chief of
5 A. I would say early seventies. I was in
;
6 California OSHA, and I don't recall the others.
6 Yale and I was in southern Connecticut, and
7 Q. Whatever the others were, they were
7 there was a newspaper in the southern
8 not involving asbestos?
8 Connecticut area where there were, there was
9 A. As I recall, there was just one on
9 something, it might have been around Earth Day,
10 asbestos.
10 the first Earth Day, which was around going back
11 Q. And what was the topic on asbestos
11 maybe around 1970ish or something, and I think
12 that you wrote the column on?
12 it had to coincide something around then, and it
13 A. Well, to be more specific I'd have to
13 was more based on air pollution.
14 look at it, but, what I remember is, in the
14 Q. And this is one column?
15 mid-nineties there was a large earthquake in
15 A. I think it was a series of a few
16 southern California, and, as a result of that, a
16 articles during the week.
17 lot of companies were very, they had heightened
17 Q. Okay. So during a one-week period in
18 awareness about possible asbestos in the
18 the early 1970s you wrote a series of a few
19 buildings, and, so, this was a column addressing
19 articles; is that right?
20 what they would do as premises owners who are
20 A. Yes.
21 responsible for the safety of the people within
21 Q. Anything to do with asbestos?
22 their premises and it was addressing, you know,
22 A. Not that I remember.
23 what they should consider and how they would get 23 Q. Do you have a copy of that article?
24 testing and things of that nature.
24 A. I don't know.
25 Q. Do you have a copy of this column?
25 Q. I'd like to request copies if you do.
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2
Talks to professional associations
2 way through my practice. I'm currently a
3 that have been reprinted. Do any of them have to
3 California certified asbestos consultant and
4 do with asbestos?
4 I've done consultation with companies and with
5 A. No, not that I recall.
5 places over 30 years.
6 Q. So if I'm understanding you 7 correctly, other than one column for premises 8 owners who were concerned about asbestos in 9 buildings after earthquakes in the mid-1990s, 10 you have written nothing about asbestos? 11 A. Well, nothing that was published as 12 in the types of places that you're saying. 13 Q. Okay. What have you written that's 14 not in that category? 15 A. What's not in that category would be 16 industrial hygiene surveys that I've conducted 17 over 30 years.
6 Q. And let me see if I'm understanding 7 what you're saying about asbestos industrial 8 hygiene surveys. You will go to a location, set 9 up some kind of air sampling monitoring and take 10 the results of the air sampling and get them 11 analyzed and write a report?
12 A. That's one type. There are others. 13 Q. Tell me what the others are? 14 A. There are broad surveys that we've 15 done for bulk samples of asbestos and various 16 types of locations in various types of locations 17 and policies that I put together now for
18 Q. Right. Anything else? 19 A. That would be it.
18 different companies and other types of entities 19 so that they could manage asbestos, just a broad
20 Q. So other than this one column in the
20 variety of things that would fall under general
21 mid-1990s and industrial hygiene surveys that
21 EPA and OSHA compliance that different
22 related to asbestos, you have not written
22 organizations would be interested in if they
23 anything about asbestos; is that right?
23 called in an outside consultant, I was involved
24 A. What I recall, yes.
24 in.
25 Q. Okay. Do you have any problem with
25 Q. Nothing having to do with Navy
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1
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2 your memory? I'm asking you seriously.
2 knowledge of asbestos or GE's knowledge of
3 A. I'm giving you my best recollection.
3 asbestos hazards?
4 Q. I'm just asking you if you're aware
4 A. Well, when I was in the Navy, which
5 o f any problem with your memory?
5 is part of my over 30 years, I certainly was
6 A. I'm not aware of any.
6 doing Navy work, so that would have been part of
7 Q. When I went for my draft physical
7 it.
8 many years ago I checked off loss of memory.
8 Q. You were doing asbestos air sampling
9 When the psychiatrist asked me when was the last
9 between July of 1976 and July of 1977?
10 time I couldn't remember anything, I said I
10 A. Among other things, yes, I did
11 couldn't remember.
11 asbestos air sampling.
12
The industrial hygiene surveys that
12 Q. Where did you conduct the asbestos
13 related to asbestos, were there any industrial
13 air sampling during that period of time?
14 hygiene studies solely related to asbestos that
14 A. That was when I was at the Long Beach
15 you've written?
15 Naval Shipyard, and I did do the surveys on the
16 A. O f course, many.
16 Navy ships and in some of the shops, and it was
17 Q. When was the first, when was the
17 throughout the Long Beach Naval Shipyard.
18 last, approximately?
18 Q. And was this while there were
19 A. Approximately the first would have
19 asbestos products being installed on ships?
20 been over 32 years ago.
20 A. It's my understanding that at that
21 Q. Sometime in the early 1970s?
21 time asbestos products were not being installed,
22 A. Maybe even during when I was at
22 but they were being removed in certain areas.
23 Harvard we went and did industrial hygiene
23 They were still being handled in different
24 surveys, and some would have included asbestos,
24 manners.
25 so that goes back to 1968, '69, and then all the
25 Q. So you were measuring asbestos levels
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i
2 while asbestos was being removed from different
2 vicinity. I didn't mean to imply that they were
3 areas of the ship?
3 reapplying asbestos.
4 A. Yes, that's part of it, yes, I
4 Q. Right. What types of ships were you
5 certainly did that.
5 on at that point in time?
6 Q. Well, what else did you do in terms
6 A. I was on a variety of ships. I do
i
7 of that period of time at the Long Beach Naval
7 recall a few destroyers, and, as I recall, there
8 Shipyard involving asbestos surveys?
8 was a very large ship, it might have been some
9 A. Your question was narrowed to
9 sort of a cruiser in for a period of time.
10 removing. There were a variety o f activity that
10 Q. Do you know anything about the ships
i
11 involved different asbestos.
11 that the four gentlemen whose cases we're here
12 Q. Other than removing, what were they?
12 for, what ships they were on?
;
13 A, Other than removing?
13 A, Other than what they wrote or
14 Q. You said they weren't installing them
14 testified to, I only know the names of them. I
15 because it was your understanding they weren't
15 don't know if you're asking anything beyond that.
16 being installed at that time, so what else other
16 Q. Okay. So tell me what you've reviewed
I
17 than removing?
17 other than what we'll get to, which is the GE
18 A. Well, they may have been doing some
18 documents in terms of Plaintiffs' specific
;
19 re-patching in some places, they may have been
19 materials?
20 using certain type of welding blankets that may
20 A. I reviewed the Plaintiff depositions
i
21 have still contained asbestos, you know, people
21 for four gentlemen, Mr. Campa, Mr. Renow, Mr.
22 welding on the ships.
22 Zatz and Mr. Roth.
;
23 Q. So you had --
23 Q. Anything else?
24 A. And there may have been some other
24 A. No.
25 activities in the shops where there was still
25 Q. Do you have any opinion with respect
:
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:
2 some asbestos materials.
2 to any of the testimony that they rendered?
i
3 Q. I'm asking what you recollect doing
3 A. With regard to what?
4 with respect to asbestos, not what may have been
4 Q. Anything.
;
5 done, okay?
5
MR. SPEZIALI: We're not going to ask
6
So do you recollect doing asbestos
6 her to address the specific Plaintiffs
7 air sampling when there was some kind of
7 testimony.
8 re-patching going on?
8
MR. KRISTAL: Good. Then we can move
9 A. As I said, because of the different
9 on.
10 types of work that's done on a ship when it's in
10 Q. You got your Master's of Science
11 a shipyard, it's in for repair and renovation,
11 degree in 1969 from Harvard University, right?
12 yes, I recall having done some work while they
12 A. Yes.
13 were re-patching while they were possibly
13 Q. Did you have to write a thesis?
14 disturbing. That's what my job was, to test the
14 A. No.
15 air and to get the measurements and make
15 Q. What did that program involve, how
16 recommendations.
16 many credits?
;
17 Q. And are you saying that the Navy was
17 A. I don't remember the number of
18 using asbestos-containing products to re-patch
18 credits, but two full years of school, and it
19 an area on the ship?
19 was two full years of multi-disciplinary
20 A. I didn't mean to imply that, no. When
20 training in environmental health science,
21 the ship comes in for certain types of repair
21 environmental health, epidemiological,
22 and renovation, when a ship comes in, certain
22 biostatistics, legal aspects, multi-disciplinary
23 areas may possibly be disturbed, and, so, in
23 program in industrial hygiene, and it was two
24 re-patching it, there may have been areas of
24 full years.
25 still asbestos-containing materials in the
25 Q. And you became a certified industrial
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2 hygienist in air pollution aspects and the 3 comprehensive aspects of industrial hygiene in
2 A. I think that the Master's degree 3 counted for a certain amount of experience. It
4 1976?
4 might have been applicable to, I don't know, I
5 A. Yes.
5 don't recall. It goes back a few years.
6 Q. What qualifies one to take --strike
7 that.
8
Is there a test that you take to
6 Q. What did you do for the ILO? 7 A. When I was at the ILO, that's the 8 International Labor Office in Geneva,
9 become a certified industrial hygienist? 10 A. Yes, there is. There's a very 11 exacting test. When I took it, there were two
12 full days of testing. It's my understanding now
13 people only take one full day of testing, but, 14 when I took it there were two full days of tests 15 that you had to take, but, before you're allowed 16 to sit for the test you had to meet minimum 17 requirements such as schooling, practical 18 experience and sit for the exam. 19 Q. What schooling did you need? 20 A. You needed, and this is going back a 21 little in time, but, you needed a minimum of a 22 Bachelor of Science degree in science, and, as I 23 recall, five years experience in the field 24 before you could sit for the test, as well as a 25 recommendation by somebody who was also a
9 Switzerland, I was hired to, my total title was 10 specialist --wait. My title was industrial 11 hygiene official. I was hired under a short-term 12 contract. I took an approved leave of absence 13 from the EPA in Boston. I went to Geneva. I was 14 hired to write what was called the Model Code of \ 15 Industrial Hygiene Regulations pulling together 16 all of the state-of-the-art industrial hygiene 17 regulations throughout the world so if a country 18 were to develop an OSHA type program they could 19 use this as enabling legislation. 20 Q. When in '75 did you do that? 21 A. I did that from about July through 22 December of 1975. 23 Q. And when in '71 did you start at GE, 24 when in 1970? 25 A. I started in July of 1971.
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 certified industrial hygienist at the time.
3 Q. Five years experience in what field?
4 A. That would be related to industrial
5 hygiene and/or air pollution. I got both
6 certifications.
7 Q. And when you say five years
8 experience in a field related to industrial
9 hygiene, for example, did your time when you
10 were an instructor in public health at Yale for
11 two years count in that five years?
12 A. Yes, that was counted by the American
13 Board of Industrial Hygienists, yes.
14 Q. And when you worked for the EPA as a
15 research and development program specialist that
16 counted in your time?
17 A. According to the board, yes, they
18 looked at all my background experience and
19 determined I was eligible to sit.
20 Q. So having or not having a Master's
21 degree meant nothing in terms of sitting for the
22 CIH exam?
23 A. I don't think it means nothing.
24 Q. Well, it may mean you could have a
25 better pass rate, but it wasn't a requirement?
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2 Q. When did you leave GE?
3 A. February of 1972.
4 Q. Why did you leave GE?
5 A. I left GE because the travel became
6 veiy excessive. When I was hired, there were
7 seven plants that were supposed to be in our
8 division. Our vice president got promoted and
9 took his whole staff with him and we ended up
10 with 44 plants in our group and the travel just
11 became very excessive.
12 Q. You worked as an industrial hygienist
13 for six months?
14 A. I was there for seven months. As it
15 turned out, it was when OSHA first came in. It
16 was a very opportune time. It was particularly
17 relevant to what I'm doing now.
18 Q. And what were your responsibilities
19 at GE for the seven-month period you were there?
20 A. My responsibilities at GE were to do
21 industrial hygiene and environmental control,
22 and, essentially what I did is, I went around, I
23 went to at least 20 to 30 company locations. Our
24 plants were located in the Northeast and
25 throughout the central United States, and 1
36 (Pages 138 to 141)
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:
2 would do industrial hygiene surveys, walk
2 yes, I had responsibility for 44 GE locations,
l
3 through surveys, sometimes monitoring of a
3 and, then, as I said, I had, I reported to
J
4 different nature and make recommendations and
4 management, and I also had dotted line reporting
5 provide basically as a consultant inside the
5 through a medical physician with whom, of
6 company to GE, and, again, that's when EPA and
6 course, I consulted with on a frequent basis.
7 OSHA first, you know, came into effect.
7 Q. What were all these other GE
8 Q. And you list here General Electric
8 industrial hygienists doing if you had
9 Corporation, Bridgeport, Connecticut. Were you
9 responsibility for 44 plants?
10 stationed in Bridgeport?
10 A. Well, GE has hundreds and hundreds of
11 A. Our office was physically located in
11 plants throughout the country, and, there are
12 Bridgeport, but the plants were all over.
12 certainly large plants of long-standing that had
13 Q. How many industrial hygienists were
13 their own industrial hygiene people, but,
14 at GE at that time?
14 throughout my travels I met industrial hygiene
15 A. I don't know how many. I know that
15 safety and medical people almost everywhere I
16 there were many and GE has been on the forefront 16 went throughout GE.
1
17 of health and safety and they had many
17 Q. How many GE industrial hygienists
;
18 industrial hygienists throughout many of the
18 were there approximately when you were there?
;
19 facilities I visited and throughout other
19 A. My contact, I met many at the annual
20 locations of the country because I had an
20 health conference, and, I've certainly kept up
21 opportunity to attend one of the annual medical
21 with them. But as far as people I was more
22 conferences at GE while I was there. They also
22 familiar with in my areas, that would be in the
;
23 had many occupational physicians in many
23 Northeast and the Central states. I don't want
24 locations, so there were many.
24 to guess, but I'd give you an estimate of maybe
;
25 Q. Is it fair to say you were one of the
25 15 or so. And that's just for a part of the
i
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1
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2 lowest folks on the totem pole?
2 countiy that I was familiar with.
3 A. I don't know what you mean by that.
3 Q. Again, without holding you to an
:
4 Q. Well, you started at GE in July of
4 exact number, in terms of the total number of
(
5 '71. You said there were many industrial
5 industrial hygienists, are you talking 50,100,
6 hygienists and many occupational medicine
6 500 for GE during the time period you were
7 physicians, or whatever you just said. It would
7 there?
8 show you were not a senior person, right?
8 A. I don't know.
9 A. I was a newcomer, but I was certainly
9 Q. I'm just asking you for your best
10 highly welcomed and actually made many
10 estimate in terms of orders of magnitude?
11 professional friendships with the industrial
11
MR. SPEZIALI: Let me object. You're
12 hygiene medical people that I kept up with until
12 asking for a guess.
13 very recently. So it was a very exciting time.
13 Q. You were at this meeting?
14 Q. How many industrial hygienists at GE
14 A. Not eveiybody came. I was in the
15 were above you?
15 meetings with a lot of them and a lot of medical
16 A. Well, in my group I was the only
16 people.
17 one at the time, and that group was the 44
17 Q. And approximately how many people
18 plants. I worked with the management people,
18 were at that meeting?
19 and, then, I also worked with a medical
19 A. I don't recall.
20 physician.
20 Q. Okay. Is there any industrial
21 Q. Let me see if I'm understanding.
21 hygienist that you know of at GE that spent less
22 You're saying that you were in a group that
22 time at GE than you did?
23 consisted of, your group had responsibility for
23 A. You mean less time?
24 44 GE plants?
24 Q. Less than seven months.
25 A. The way we were organizationally,
25 A. Less than seven months, I don't know.
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2 Many o f the people who I met there back in the
2 Q. Anybody else?
3 seventies I ended up talking to quite recently
3 A. There were some other people, a
4 and they stayed with the company 40 years, a
4 gentleman named Vito Sclerito (phonetic).
5 long time.
5 Q. When you say "some other people," you
6 Q. There are GE industrial hygienists
6 mentioned in the context o f meeting and speaking
7 that are alive who you've spoken to recently who
7 with the current corporate industrial hygienist
8 have been at GE for decades?
8 that you had met and spoken with other GE
9 A. Yes, there are GE hygienists who have
9 industrial hygienists. So one of those is Mark
10 been with the company for decades and some who 10 Strife?
11 are retired who have been with the company for 12 decades.
11 A. Yes. 12 Q. Anybody else?
13 Q. And some who are not retired? 14 A. Yes.
13 A. The corporate industrial hygienist's 14 name is Kurt Kruger (phonetic), and he's the
15 Q. And on what occasion did you get
15 gentleman that I was referring to before.
16 together and speak to these former GE industrial
16 Q. Kurt Kruger?
17 hygienists who had been at GE for decades?
17 A. Kurt Kruger.
18 A. Well, over the years I was very
18 Q. Okay. When did you last speak to Kurt
19 active in the American Industrial Hygiene
19 Kruger?
20 Association and attended our annual conferences,
20 A. I met with Kurt around Januaiy or so
21 and, over the years I would just see the
21 of this year.
22 industrial hygienists at the various meetings
22 Q. Did it have anything to do with your
23 for over 20,25 years, talk to them, and, most
23 work that you were doing with respect to GE in
24 recently, I had the opportunity to meet with the
24 this case or generally?
25 corporate industrial hygienist for General
25 A. Oh, it had to do with my work in
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1
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2 Electric and many o f the other, some o f the
2 general for GE, yes.
3 other industrial hygienists who are currently
3 Q. Other than asbestos litigation, what
4 with the company.
4 other work are you doing generally for GE?
5 Q. And who is the corporate industrial
5 A. You asked in your last question was
6 hygienist for GE currently?
6 it referring to these cases or for my work with
7 A. I'm sorry. I don't remember his name
7 GE generally. That's how I answered that.
8 right now. It will come back to me.
8 Q. Right.
9 Q. Okay. It's a man, I take it?
9 A. Meaning, that it's for my general
10 A. It's a gentleman, yes.
10 work with GE.
11 Q. And you met with him and have spoken
11 Q. Which is limited solely to being
12 with him recently?
12 retained for asbestos litigation?
13 A. Yes.
13 A. Yes.
14 Q. How many decades has he been with GE? 14 Q. In other words, you're not doing
15 A. He's new to the company. I don't know
15 something -
16 how many years. I don't think it's a decade.
16 A. I'd say yes, right, with regard to
17 Q. Certainly more than you, he's been at
17 asbestos.
18 GE as an industrial hygienist longer than you
18 Q. With regard to asbestos litigation.
19 had been at GE?
19 What I mean is, you're not consulting with GE
20 A. That's my understanding.
20 generally as an industrial hygienist now on any
21 Q. And the other GE industrial
21 subject other than asbestos litigation?
22 hygienists you've spoken to recently, can you
22 A. I'm not a lawyer. I sit here as an
23 give me their names?
23 industrial hygienist. So my understanding is I
24 A. I've spoken to an industrial
24 consult on the general subject of asbestos.
25 hygienist whose name is Mark Strife (phonetic).
25 Whether it's all related to litigation, I don't
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2 know.
2 helpful. He was able to describe the corporate
:
3 Q. Well, what lawyers have you discussed
3 set up in terms of safety and environmental
4 anything about GE with other than Mr. Speziali
4 throughout the company and also to relate that
5 and whoever else you mentioned, Mr. Kapshandy.
5 he had tried to locate some records going back
6 Who else?
6 over the years and could give me an update or
7 A. What other lawyers have I spoken to?
7 briefing on that kind of information.
8 Q. Yes.
8 Q. Okay. Who else was present when you
;
9 A. AtGE?
9 met with Mr. Kruger?
10 Q. Yes.
10 A. When I met with Mr. Kruger, Mr.
11 A. One attorney, his name is Henry King,
11 Kapshandy was there and there was some, it was a
12 and, I'm sorry, the name will come back to me.
12 former GE physician present, a gentleman named
13 Q. Okay. Have you billed GE for any work
13 Steve Hampton who's been with the company almost
14 that you've done that is not related to asbestos
14 50 years as far as safety, and some other GE
15 litigation?
15 attorneys, I think, were present.
16 A. Again, I'm not a lawyer. As far as I
16 Q. And where was this meeting?
17 know I'm working on asbestos and GE's history
17 A. It was in Fairfield, Connecticut.
18 and knowledge. If it's all related to
18 Q. Where?
19 litigation, it is. If it's not wholly, I don't
19 A. At GE corporate headquarters.
20 know. I'm just giving you my best answer.
20 Q. And I take it you felt this meeting
21 Q. Other than the project that you've
21 with these GE employees and lawyers for GE was
22 been working on that you're testifying here
22 somewhat important to your work in this case?
23 today about, you're not doing any other work for
23 A. I think Mr. Kruger was very helpful
24 GE; is that fair to say?
24 and the other people in providing background and
25 A. Yes.
25 history going back over the safety and health
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1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 Q. It's all related to asbestos
2 activities throughout the history of General
3 litigation?
3 Electric. They've been very active and involved
4 A. That's what you just said.
4 and on the forefront of health and safety.
5 Q. Right. You don't know whether that's
5 Q. Was this an interview that you were
6 all related to asbestos litigation or not?
6 conducting? Tell me the format of the meeting
7 A. I'm trying to answer your question
7 whereby you were getting information from Mr.
8 wholly and truthfully. As far as I know, it's
8 Kruger, the former GE physician and Mr. Hampton
9 all related to asbestos. I don't know whether it
9 and any other lawyers?
10 all has to do with litigation.
10 A. There might have been other people
11 Q. Well, what else do you think it has
11 present. That's what I'm remembering right now.
12 to do with?
12 Q. Okay.
13 A. General background on GE, their
13 A. I would say it's a conversation,
14 history with asbestos.
14 interview type of discussion and I was free to
15 Q. For purposes of some GE museum or
15 ask any questions and I did.
16 archives or related to litigation?
16 Q. Okay. Was Mr. Hobson there, David
17 A. Most likely it's related to
17 Hobson?
18 litigation, but, again, I don't know all the ins
18 A. No.
19 and outs.
19 Q. Was Dr. Betts there?
20 Q. What did you speak to Mr. Kruger
20 A. No.
21 about with respect to your work on the GE
21 Q. Did you take notes?
22 asbestos project, whether it relates to 23 litigation or not? 24 A. Well, in general, Mr. Kruger, who's a
22 A. I took some notes. 23 Q. What did you do with those notes? 24 A. Well, what I do is, I write them into
25 certified industrial hygienist, was very
25 a listing of different people that I've spoken
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1
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2 to, and, then I, after I'm finished with them, I
2 other words, such and such a date met with so
3 get rid o f them.
3 and so and so and so and substances of what was
4 Q. So you took notes in longhand, or on
4 spoken and another dates and met with so and so?
5 a laptop or how?
5 A. Yes, I have it written in
6 A. Longhand.
6 chronological order.
7 Q. On sheets of paper, I take it?
7 Q. Is it stored on a computer or hard
8 A. Yes.
8 copy or what?
9 Q. And then you did what with these
9 A. It's hard copy.
10 notes?
10 Q. And where physically do you keep it?
11 A. What I did, you know, I had an
11 Is it in a folder? Is in a drawer?
12 opportunity to speak to many people throughout the 12 A. Physically right now I think it's on
13 course of this project, and I consolidated my
13 a table.
14 notes and wrote things down.
14 Q. I know. In the normal course of your
15 Q. Okay. When you say consolidated
15 business --
16 notes, did you write like a memo putting, you
16 A. In the course of my business?
17 know, everything together?
17 Q. --Do you keep it in a file cabinet
18 A. I keep a listing of the people that I
18 under GE? What do you do with this?
19 have spoken to and the places that I've gone
19 A. I just have it as a document.
20 with regard to the general project that I'm
20 Q. A running document. Okay. How many
21 doing for GE on history.
21 pages is it, approximately?
22 Q. Okay.
22 A. All together with an attachment about
23 A. In areas of asbestos over time.
23 12,14 pages perhaps.
24 Q. Where is said listing?
24 Q. Does it contain in part information
25 A. I have a copy of the listing.
25 that you're relying on for your opinions in this
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1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 Q. Good. I'd like to see it.
3
MR. KRISTAL: Do you have it?
4
MR. KAPSHANDY: No.
5
MR. KRISTAL: I can't have it?
6
MR. KAPSHANDY: I didn't say you
7 couldn't have it. She wasn't asked to bring
8 it. She said past tense. We could get it.
9
MR. KRISTAL: All right. Thank you.
10 Q. Is there any substance in this
11 listing? By that I mean, other than names and
12 when you spoke to people? There must have been
13 notes on substantive information, right?
14 A. I hope so, yes.
15 Q. And that's in this listing?
16 A. Yes.
17 Q. Okay. Is there any other document by
18 any other name whereby you've incorporated any
19 of your notes other than this listing?
20 A. No.
21 Q. And would the listing help you recall
22 who it was that you spoke to for the people that
23 you don't remember?
24 A. Yes.
25 Q. Okay. And is it a chronology, in
2 case, in these cases? 3 A. I'd say that it certainly, yes, it's 4 giving me a background about the long history of 5 health and safety at GE and the program that 6 they've had for so many years, sure, yes. 7 Q. Other than this meeting January 4th 8 with the folks that you mentioned and the prior 9 meeting September 3rd, have there been other 10 meetings with other GE folks between September 11 3rd and today wherein you were asking questions 12 and speaking to people about the history of GE 13 with respect to the safety and health issues? 14 A. Yes. 15 Q. Okay. How many meetings have you had? 16 A. How many meetings have I had with 17 safety and health people? 18 Q. Yes, from GE currently or formally in 19 which you were getting information from them 20 which is the subject of your testimony? 21 A. I have to refer to the list, but, and 22 I don't want to guess, but I'd estimate 20 or 23 so, 25. 24 Q. Twenty or 25 meetings? I just want to 25 make sure you're not answering number of
40 (Pages 154 to 157)
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2 people.
2 of those claims for asbestos since that time
?
3 A. Well, if you were counting each
3 period.
;
4 person as a meeting.
4 Q. So GE as far as you know had no prior
i
5 Q. We have about ten people in this
5 records, workers' comp records?
!
6 room. If we were meeting, this is one meeting.
6 A. It was my understanding that GE did
f
7 I'm asking you how many meetings you had?
7 have, before the computer program, they had a
8 A. I'm trying to explain. If I met with a
8 card file that was kept by their administrator,
!
9 person, that was a meeting. If I met with
9 their third-party administrator, and there were
10 another person not in the same room, that was a
10 cards going back to the forties and fifties up
(
11 separate meeting.
11 through the eighties. There were tens of
;
12 Q. Right.
12 thousands of these cards, and, so, there was a
i
13 A. So I'm estimating. Some people I met
13 program that was in existence before the
14 with more than once. I don't want to guess. I'd
14 computerized system.
?
15 say 25.
15 Q. Okay. Have you seen any of those
j
16 Q. In order to answer accurately you
16 records with respect to claims of
i
17 would need, in fairness, to look at this list?
17 asbestos-related disease brought by GE workers? 3
18 A. Yes.
18 A. Yes, I've seen the records going
S
19 Q. Okay. You had mentioned with respect
19 back, again, from the card file going back to
j
20 to the one meeting on January 4th in which Mr.
20 the forties or fifties up to the eighties, and I
5
21 Kruger was present that he was going to try to
21 have seen them, yes.
?
22 locate some records of some sort?
22 Q. What is the earliest claim that
;
23 A. No. I didn't say January 4th.
23 you've been able to see brought by a GE employee ]
24 Q. I'm sorry.
24 for an asbestos-related disease?
5
25 A. I said January or so.
25 A. Well, the earliest claim I saw was in
i
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1
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1
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s
2 Q. I meant January '04.1apologize.
2 1971.
:
3 A. Okay.
3 Q. What was the nature of the
i
4 Q. The meeting you had in January of
4 allegation?
:5
5 2004 in which you mentioned Mr. Kruger was going 5 A. I don't know what you mean by
s
6 to try to locate some records, did he locate
6 "allegation." It appeared that --
'
7 records?
7 Q. Does the record contain, the record
)
8 A. Well, of a nature, yes. GE is a
8 that you're talking about contain what it was
;
9 highly decentralized company. It was
9 that the claimant was claiming?
5
10 incorporated in the late 1890's and has bought
10 A. Yes. What it says on the card for the
:
11 and sold hundreds if not thousands of businesses
11 case in 1971 is for asbestosis.
12 all over, and, he attempted to look for records,
12 Q. And does it say what the person's
13 but, basically, what he found is that records
13 employment was?
14 are kept at the local businesses that had
14 A. On the card it doesn't say what the
15 conducted the business. But I do recall that he
15 person's employment was, no.
!
16 had run some sort of a general search on a
16 Q. Were you able to ascertain that from
5
17 computerized workers' compensation program and 17 any other source?
|
18 had run something like that and he was, that was
18 A. I was not able to do that with
'
19 all he was able to locate.
19 certainty, no.
20 Q. Okay. You're talking about he was
20 Q. Okay. How about with any level of
?
21 looking for, if I'm understanding you, claims of
21 finding out any information?
22 asbestos-related disease by GE workers
22 A. My looking at the records it just
23 historically in part? 24 A. The computer program only went back
23 isn't clear to me what the gentleman was doing. 24 Q. What plant was the person working in?
25 to about 1990. So it would have been a listing
25 A. He was in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
;
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2 Q. Working in the turbine plant?
3 A. I don't think turbines were made in
4 Fitchburg, so, again, I don't know what the
5 gentleman was doing.
6 Q. Do you know what was being
7 manufactured at Fitchburg at the location where
8 the gentleman worked by GE?
9 A. No, I don't remember. 10 Q. Is it fair to say asbestos was being
11 used somewhere in that plant? 12 A. We don't know, we don't know what he
13 was doing. We know there were shipyards in the
14 area he may have worked for. We don't know what
15 the gentleman was doing before GE, how long he
16 had been there. It's not clear.
17 Q. I'm talking about your research into
18 that particular claim. The person must have
19 claimed some asbestos exposure at GE; is it fair
20 to say? I'm not saying it's correct or not
| 21 correct. I'm just asking it wouldn't be, there
22 wouldn't be a record unless there was a claim
123 against GE? 24 A. All I know is what's on his little
i25 card. They were like three-by-five cards. It
Page 164
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct to say?
A. Yes. Q. Is there anything else contained in the listings document other than a summary of your notes from meetings that you had, in other words, if you were reading a document and you 3 took notes on it or you were looking at a workers' comp index card and investigating that 10 case and took notes on it, where would those 1 notes be? 2 A. I don't keep notes. What 1have is in 3 that listing. 4 Q. Okay. So there's no other document in 5 which you summarize your notes and then threw them away? 7 A. No, there's no other document. 8 Q. It's not a trick question. I'm just 9 trying to find out. 20 A. I'm trying to answer. No. 21 Q. Okay. Are you saying you didn't take 22 notes except when you were at meetings on any of
23 the work that you did? 24 A. Well, I took notes when I was talking 25 to people which I told you I incorporated into
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1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 says the person's name and where he worked and
3 it says asbestosis. 4 Q. And did you do any other research
5 into that claim, in other words, ask people 6 about it, ask people to ask people about it?
7 A. Yes, I recall that I did, and I, I
8 don't recall having come up with any more
9 definitive information about this case.
10 Q. Whatever information you came up with
11 on that particular case, would that have been in
12 the listing of documents you referenced?
13 A. I don't think so, no. 14 Q. Okay. Is there a separate note that
15 you took on things that you did for this 16 particular project for GE not involving meetings
i 17 with people that would be reflected in this
18 listing? 119 A. That would not be involved in the
20 listings? 21 Q. Let me try to clarify. My 22 understanding of the listing document, this 12 23 or 13 page or however long page document, is
24 that it's a chronological summary of your notes
25 of various meetings that you had; is that fair
Page 165
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 my listings, and, occasionally, I keep notes on
3 to-do items, and, then, when I finish with them
4 I scratch them off and I discard them. So those
5 are the kind of notes I keep. 6 Q. And when you're doing the task of the
7 to-do notes you don't take notes at all, in
8 other words, at some point you physically had an
9 index card with a 1971 workers' comp claim for
10 asbestosis out of Fitchburg, Massachusetts?
11 A. I've seen a copy of it, yes. 12 Q. My question is, did you take notes
13 about that?
14 A. No. 15 Q. Did you take notes when you read any
16 articles?
17 A. No. 18 Q. And you have no notes at all, zero,
19 for anything other than the conversations you've
20 had with people?
21
A. And to-do notes which I mentioned to
22 you.
23 Q. Right.
24 A. No. 25 Q. Okay. Other than Mr. Kruger locating
42 (Pages 162 to 165)
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1
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i
2 or attempting to locate the various workers'
2 hygienist?
s
3 comp documents were there any other records he
3 A. He was a, his specialty was safety
;
4 provided you or was looking for?
4 management. He's written many editions of a book J
5 A. Well, I think he provided some recent
5 called "Safety Management." In fact, five
<
6 documents on general, these were current GE
6 editions. He was the head person at GE for
;
7 corporate policies relating to their current
7 safety industrial hygiene and medical from the
8 environmental programs on asbestos and asbestos
8 mid-fifties through the sixties.
1
9 management. So other than the very recent type
9 Q. And whatever the substance of your
i
10 documents and this listing, that's what he
10 conversations were with him would be contained
11 provided me.
11 in the listings?
i
12 Q. Okay. And the recent type documents
12 A. Yes.
;
13 with the current policies, was that something
13 Q. Okay. Anyone else you remember?
:?
14 that in any way is informing your opinion in
14 A. I spoke to many industrial hygienists
|
15 this case?
15 who I met when I was with the company and kept
16 A. Well, I think it shows it's part of
16 up with throughout the years at the American
;
17 the continuum. GE has been on the forefront of
17 Industrial Hygiene Association meetings. I have
18 health and safety for over 80 years, and it just
18 spoken to on a few occasions two of the other
J
19 shows their, currently what their programs are,
19 gentlemen who worked at Bridgeport, a certified
;
20 which is very impressive.
20 industrial hygienist named Leo Feliu who was
i
21 Q. Okay. Other than Mr. Kruger, Mr.
21 with the company in the sixties, a certified
'
22 Hampton, the GE physician who, the former GE
22 industrial hygienist Dale Culp, C-U-L-P. He was
;l
23 physician whose name you don't recall, do you
23 a student of mine at Yale, and, when I left I
;
24 recall the names of any other people you met
24 referred him and he took my job at GE in
25 that you interviewed from GE who were current or 25 Bridgeport. I have spoken to him on a couple of
:
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i
2 former GE employees regarding this subject?
2 occasions recently, and then there were many
;
3 A. I did remember the physician from the
3 others.
?
4 meeting in Fairfield, doctor Dennis Stenpin,
4 Q. Others from the, how far back were
;
5 S-T-E-N-P-I-N. And your question was other
5 some of the people? Obviously, Dr. Grimaldi goes ?
6 people?
6 back I think you said to the mid-sixties?
7 Q. Yes.
7 A. Dr. Grimaldi goes back to the
8 A. Not at that meeting, but in general?
8 fifties. There's a gentleman named Arnold Rathje
9 Q. Yes.
9 who's a certified industrial hygienist. He was
10 A. I had the opportunity to meet and
10 in Cleveland but serviced a lot of locations. I
;
11 speak with on many occasions a Dr. Jack Grimaldi 11 kept up with him over the years. He goes back to
12 who was the head of safety and industrial
12 the 1950s.
13 hygiene and environmental for GE going back to
13 Q. Can you spell his name? We need to
;
14 the 1950s through the sixties, and, I met with
14 get an accurate record.
15 Dr. Grimaldi twice and I've spoken to him on the
15 A. R-A-T-H-J-E. The gentleman I
16 phone on several occasions.
16 mentioned to you before, Steve Hampton, he goes
17 Q. Could you spell that last name for
17 back to about 1950, as well, and he was a
18 us?
18 chemist involved in a lot of safety activity
19 A. Sure. G-R-I-M-A-L-D-I.
19 over the years, but there were many other
20 Q. Was it a doctor?
20 people.
21 A. Yes, he's a Ph.D., Dr. Jack Grimaldi.
21 Q. Were these meetings or interviews
22 Q. And is he currently with GE or former
22 combinations with and without GE attorneys
23 GE? 24 A. He's former GE. He's retired.
23 there, or were they all with GE attorneys in 24 terms of litigation?
25 Q. Okay. And he was an industrial
25 A. No. I was free, I did a lot of the
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1
2 interviews on my own. A lot of the interviews
2
3 with people were over the phone. So it was just
3
4 me talking to the people, and, Dr. Grimaldi I
4
5 met with him at length one time alone and spoke
5
6 with him many times alone over the phone. So I'd
6
7 say for the most part it was alone.
7
8 Q. Okay. You mentioned the workers' comp
8
9 records. You mentioned some other documents, the 9
10 recent policies. We had the Alice Hamilton
10
11 documents and we'll mark them in a little while.
11
12 Any other categories of documents that you have
12
13 obtained and reviewed pursuant to your work in
13
14 these cases and generally with respect to GE and
14
15 asbestos, in other words, were you shown maybe
15
16 drawings from GE, or technical manuals or any
16
17 kind of GE documents other than what you have
17
18 mentioned and the Alice Hamilton series from the 18
19 1920s?
19
20 A. Are we talking in general or
20
21 specifically with regard to this? I missed that.
21
22 Q. We're talking about anything.
22
23
MR. SPEZIALI: In other words, in
23
24 these cases, Jerry, or other projects she's
24
25 worked on?
25
Page 172
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct sometime. She's been offered, and nobody has taken her up on it, because she has knowledge of corporate documents.
And because, frankly, I don't know exactly how far plaintiffs in these cases are going to go, I don't know what subjects. I know about Alice Hamilton. I don't know about others. So I felt the best thing to do is present her as an expert here on industrial hygiene with the idea that we would try to address specific corporate documents if they come up, and, I know only about Alice Hamilton right now.
I hope that clarifies a little bit. So the project really was not with respect to these cases.
MR. KRISTAL: If I'm understanding, Ms. Drucker is not being produced here as the most knowledgable person about General Electric hygiene or otherwise, she's being produced as an expert?
MR. SPEZIALI: She's being produced in these cases as an expert in industrial hygiene, particularly as to published
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2
MR. KRISTAL: That's what I'm not
2
literature and some o f the things Dr. Betts
3 understanding.
3 has showed her as to the Navy, but she's
4
MR. SPEZIALI: Yes.
4 going to address Alice Hamilton because
5 Q. My understanding of the project
5 that's sort of very published and very
6 you've been working on is GE historical
6 public.
7 knowledge of asbestos, one general project that
7
MR. KRISTAL: Okay.
8 happens to relate to these cases?
8
(Whereupon, a discussion is held off
9
MR. SPEZIALI: Let me clarify, Jerry.
9 the record.)
10 GE finds itself in a situation, and it's
10
MR. SPEZIALI: Let me mention one more
11 not a secret, it's in other cases around
11 thing. Without question if documents come
12 the country, obviously, and we find ourself
12 in evidence, GE specific corporate
13 in a situation where it's a big company and
13 documents come into evidence that I feel
14 an old company and its involvement with
14 need to be addressed through a GE witness I
15 asbestos is relevant in lots of different
15 will. I know it doesn't help you for
16 ways throughout the country. GE did not up
16 today's deposition. So I can only be as
17 until recently have a 30B6 witness on the
17 fair as I can be. I'm going to tell you in
18 general subject what do you know about
18 advance I may have her address it. You do
19 asbestos? They didn't have that.
19 what you need to do. If you need more
20
And they are not necessarily for the
20 depositions. I don't know what you're
21 purpose of New York litigation, but there
21 putting in. I don't know your case in
22 are places in the country we are required
22
chief.
23 to produce a witness. She was hired for
23
I have deposed Dr. Kauzman (phonetic)
24 that purpose. She has yet to testify, but
24 on three or four occasions, and, as far as
25 she will be testifying in the future
25 I can tell he has nothing bad to say about
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o
2 GE. But he's your witness. Perhaps he will
2 breadth of the spectrum as much as I do, but for
:
3 have something different to say some day
3 what he did.
i
4 and I need to address it. That's the best I
4 Q. And your knowledge and your
5 can do. I'm shooting in the dark.
6
MR. KRISTAL: Gotcha.
7 Q. Is it fair to say Dr. Grimaldi has
8 more knowledge about GE industrial hygiene than
9 you do, having been there for a long time?
10 A. Well, Dr. Grimaldi certainly in his
11 time period is rich with information or history
12 of GE in the fifties and sixties, of course.
13 Q. So for that time period he certainly
14 has more knowledge than you?
15 A. For that time period he has a lot of
16 information to share, yes.
17 Q. I'm talking about compared to you he
18 has more knowledge on that subject in that time
19 period?
20 A. He certainly imparted a lot of good
5 understanding of GE's industrial hygiene program i
6 from your interviews of these people depends on i
7 how accurate their information is, correct?
:
8 A. Well, you know, fortunately in this
;
9 project there have been a lot of cross checks.
j
10 There have j ust been a lot of ways to cross
;
11 check information and various ways through
12 meetings with different people through documents }
13 that I had the opportunity to review through
14 thousands of industrial hygiene measurements and 5
15 books and other documents through visits through 5
16 going to the Radcliffe and Harvard Library. So
17 there have been a lot of cross checks of this
*
18 project. It's an ongoing project, but...
19 Q. A work in progress. The thousands of
20 industrial hygiene surveys, what are you talking
{
21 information to me. 22 Q. And Mr. Hampton also has more 23 knowledge for the time period he was with GE 24 than you do about GE industrial hygiene? 25 A. For the time and for what he did with
21 about?
22 A, As I said before, GE has been on the
;
23 forefront of health and safety and they handle
24 asbestos, as all substances that they handle,
25 responsibly at the time. There are thousands of
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2 the company, yes, he himself would personally
2 industrial hygiene, over 4,500 industrial hygiene
3 have more knowledge about that specifically with
3 samples that were taken on GE premises for
4 which he was involved.
4 asbestos going back to the 1950s through the
5 Q. What specifically and during what
5 1990s and I had the opportunity to study all
6 time period was he involved?
6 these samples.
;
7 A. Well, as I said, he was a chemist
7 Q. Okay. And that's why when I asked you
8 with the company from about 1950 through the
8 any other large categories of documents you
9 current time and worked on various projects,
9 didn't recall those 4,500 industrial hygiene
10 some of which related to asbestos.
10 studies, obviously, right?
^
11 Q. Did they relate to asbestos and
11 A. You stopped the question and I didn't
12 industrial hygiene?
12 answer it.
13 A. Well, if we're talking about
13
MR. SPEZIALI: I interjected.
14 industrial hygiene being general safety and
14 Q. So I want to take broad categories.
15 health he's not an industrial hygienist or a
15 We have the ones on the record. You mentioned
16 certified industrial hygienist, but he's certainly a
16 these surveys, some of which go back to the
;
17 person very steeped in health and safety. I'm
17 1950s, and some pertain to asbestos?
18 sony. What was the question?
18 A. These 4,500 samples are all taken on
19 Q. Well, so then for that time period
19 the GE premises 1950s through 1990s.
20 1950s to the present as a chemist involved with
20 Q. What other documents in terms of
21 health and safety, although not an industrial
21 broad categories have you reviewed which you
22 hygienist, he knows more about the GE programs
22 believe you were getting from these people and
23 than you?
23 generally other documents?
24 A. He would know more about what he did.
24 A. Generally, as I said, there were
25 I haven't come across someone who knows the
25 cross checks in many ways. I reviewed general
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2 medical and scientific information over time
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2 GE.
Page 180
3 that I reviewed for context and I reviewed 4 answers to interrogatories prepared over time. I 5 met, as I told you, I met and spoke with many 6 people who had been with the company. 7 Q. I'm not talking about the meetings 8 which you were saying you looked at documents 9 that served as checks? 10 A. I'm getting there. I'm not done. 11 Q. I know. But I'm not interested in
3
A lot of the other information was
4 just general background scientific information
5 provided for context. I also attributed some of
6 the articles to that, I'd say, body of
7 literature of medical and scientific
8 information.
9
MR. KRISTAL: Why don't we mark this
10 as Exhibit 3. It's called "Asbestos Library
11 Catalog."
12 meetings because we already talked about. 13 A. I don't want to leave off anything. I 14 had the opportunity to review books and other
12
(Whereupon, Asbestos Library Catalog
13 is marked Plaintiffs Drucker Exhibit 3 For
14 Identification.)
15 documents prepared by the company, and that
15 Q. Is that the list you referred to
16 would have related to state-of-the-art
16 earlier today and just now?
17 information relating to asbestos at various 18 periods of time.
17
(Whereupon, the witness peruses the
18 document.)
19 Q. Okay. Anything else?
19 A. I think this is.
20 A. I mentioned the visits. I went to the
20 Q. It is or it isn't?
21 Harvard and Radcliffe libraries, visited company
21 A. This, it is my understanding, is a
22 locations, I searched the Bridgeport offices of
22 listing of Dr. Betts' information.
23 the former industrial hygienist, but, in
23 Q. Let me back up. This morning you said
24 general, I think we covered it.
24 you needed to look at a list to inform you as to
25 Q. When you did the search at the office
25 which other articles were involving Navy
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1
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2 of the industrial hygienist, were there
2 knowledge in 1922 as an example. Is Exhibit 3
3 documents that you found that were not in the
3 the list you were talking about?
4 categories you mentioned that helped you form
4 A. That might have duplicates. It's not
5 your opinions in this case?
5 specifically the list that I had in mind.
6 A. Those documents would fall within the
6 Q. Okay. Then I will mark this Exhibit
7 broad categories I mentioned.
7 3, but, does your list that you have in mind
8 Q. Are there any other broad categories
8 have a title?
9 other than what you just mentioned in your last
9 A. I think it says something about
10 answer, books and other documents written by GE? 10 index. Other than that, I don't remember.
11 A. The industrial hygiene samples, the
11 Q. Do you have a copy somewhere of that
12 visits I met with various industrial hygienists,
12 list?
13 that's the broad categories.
13 A. Not with me, but yes.
14 Q. Okay. Medical and scientific
14 Q. Okay. I will request a copy of that
15 information over time, are you talking about GE
15 list, because there's no sense in using a list
16 internal medical and scientific information over
16 if it's not the list you're talking about. It
17 time or things that are on this list that
17 doesn't make sense to me, anyway. Does it make
18 hopefully we'll get to today, if not, whenever
18 sense to you to wait until we have the actual
19 we meet again?
19 list?
20 A. First of all, GE was not an asbestos
20 A. Yes.
21 company. They used very little asbestos on a very 21 Q. Okay. The two articles that you found
22 few product lines. A very small amount of those
2 2 that related specifically to GE and asbestos,
23 product lines ever contained asbestos. We found
23 were these from medical and scientific articles,
24 actually only two articles in the medical and
24 or newspaper articles, or what kind of articles?
25 scientific literature relating to asbestos at
25 A. I didn't say that they related to GE
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;
2 and asbestos. I said we found two articles on
2 put in an area from way back, and, other than
:
3 asbestos at GE, meaning, it was GE in Bridgeport
3 him saying, you know, that his office had been
?
4 in the former offices of the industrial
4 there, we just started going through files and
5 hygienist who was there, Leo Feliu, who I told you 5 looking for things.
1
6 I spoke to a couple times recently.
6 Q. When you say they were files put in
:
7 Q. In other words, somewhere in your
7 an area from way back, what do you mean?
8 search of GE documents you located two articles
8 A. That there were some records that had
9 that somebody had somewhere?
9 been kept on some industrial hygiene asbestos
10 A. Again, this wasn't an asbestos
10 surveys that had been conducted there, things
11 company. I don't know what you would expect to
11 relating to asbestos within that there were
12 find all these years after, but, yes, we were
12 these articles.
13 able to locate two articles and these were two
13 Q. Okay. And the location where Mr.
14 articles we found at Bridgeport.
14 Feliu was where you found these documents?
15 Q. And do you know the names of these
15 A. The location, the plant is in
16 articles?
16 Bridgeport, Connecticut.
17 A. Yes.
17 Q. The Answers to Interrogatories over
18 Q. Okay. What were they?
18 time, when was the earliest GE --strike that.
19 A. One was by Dr. Selikoff and one, and
19
You're talking about GE's Answers to
20 it was entitled "Asbestos exposure Smoking and
20 Interrogatories?
21 Neoplasia," and, my best recollection it's from
21 A. Yes, GE's Answers to Interrogatories.
22 1968.
22 Q. And do you have a set of those
23 Q. Right. 24 A. And another article was by Philip
23 somewhere? 24 A. Yes.
25 Interline (phonetic) and I don't recall the
25 Q. Okay.
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2 title, but it was from 1967.
2
MR. KRISTAL: I request copies of
3 Q. Do you have a belief as to when GE
3 those.
4 first came into possession of those documents,
4
MR. SPEZIALI: Again, Jerry, that's
5 in other words, you don't know if it was the day
5 not with respect to this case. 1mean, that
6 before you got there or 35 years ago? I'm being
6 is, again, you're confusing --
7 a little facetious, but, do you have any idea
7
MR. KRISTAL: I don't think I'm
8 when GE first came into possession of those 9 articles?
8 confusing anything. 9 Q. Do the GE Answers to Interrogatories
10 A. No. But what I can say is when I was
10 help inform your opinion in these cases in terms
11 searching through the files they certainly
11 of what GE knew about the hazards of asbestos
12 looked old and it looked like it hadn't been
12 and when?
13 touched in a long time. I also spoke to Leo
13
MR. SPEZIALI: Again, she's not being
14 Feliu before I got there and he steered me on
14 offered for that purpose in this case.
15 what could you have.
15
MR. KRISTAL: Okay.
16 Q. Could you spell his last name?
16 A. I don't know what kind of thing you
17 A. F-E-L-I-U.
17 may ask me, so I don't know how to answer that
18 Q. And it was in Mr. Feliu's office you
18 in the absence of specific questions. I don't
19 found these two articles?
19 know what I can say, whether the interrogatories
20 A. In the area of Mr. Feliu's office,
20 would help or not.
21 yes. He was the industrial hygienist, or one of
21 Q. What information did you get from the
22 them at Bridgeport.
22 interrogatories that you felt was helpful?
23 Q. And were these articles in some file
23
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection. Helpful as
24 or folder or somewhere where he directed you to? 24 to what?
25 A. As I recall, all the files were just
25 Q. Helpful as to any opinions you have.
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2
MR. SPEZIALI: In this case?
2 wasn't there. I have a degree, yes, of certainty
3
MR. KRISTAL: Yes.
3 that the health and safety professionals at GE
4
MR. SPEZIALI: She's not offering
4 going back to the early thirties would have been
5 opinions on that.
5 aware that high levels of exposure to asbestos
6 Q. What is the earliest year that you
6 dust can cause the fibrotic condition
7 believe GE knew about the hazards of asbestos?
7 asbestosis.
8 A. The health and safety professionals
8 Q. Is there a distinction in your mind
9 at GE would have been aware of the relevant
9 between were aware and would have been aware?
10 medical and scientific information relating to
10 A. Since I wasn't there, I can't really
11 the constituents of their products going back
11 say they were definitely aware because I wasn't
12 to, going back over time, and they would have
12 there. I think that what I've been able to
13 been aware of relevant NACs, PELs, TLVs from
13 review, what I've been able to get a feel for
14 1930 to, from the early thirties to the
14 over time from reviewing documents that I have a
15 mid-thirties I'd say that the health and safety
15 high degree of certainty that they would have
16 professionals at GE would have been aware that
16 been aware.
17 high levels of exposure to asbestos dust can
17 Q. Is your opinion about the Navy and
18 cause asbestosis.
18 its knowledge of asbestos that the Navy would
19
And, then in the person of Dr. Irving
19 have been aware or was aware of the hazards of
20 Sacs (phonetic) in GE Schenectady in 1951, as
20 asbestos as of 1922?
21 well as other authors at GE who published to GE
21 A. Well, according to one of the
22 and non-GE alike the state-of-the-art on
22 documents that is on one of these lists, it's my
23 asbestos as it was known at the time. In fact,
23 understanding that the Navy was aware in 1922
24 as it was known at the time all the way up
24 that high levels of dust could cause a fibrotic
25 through OSHA.
25 condition.
Page 187
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 Q. So in your opinion to a reasonable
3 degree of medical certainty General Electric as
4 a company in the early thirties to mid-thirties
5 was aware that high levels of asbestos exposure
6 caused asbestosis?
7 A. You said to a reasonable degree of
8 medical certainty. I'm not a doctor and not a
9 toxicologist.
10 Q. I apologize.
11 A. I'm a certified industrial hygienist.
12 Q. Let me rephrase the question. To a
13 reasonable degree of certainty, is it your
14 opinion that General Electric as a company was
15 aware in the 1930s to mid-1930s that high levels
16 of exposure to asbestos causes asbestosis?
17 A. Yes, from the early to mid-thirties
18 the health and safety professionals at GE would
19 have been aware that high levels of exposure to
20 asbestos dust causes asbestosis.
21 Q. Is there a difference between would
22 have been aware and were aware? I mean, if there
23 isn't, I don't know why you keep using different
24 language than I'm using. I'm using were aware.
25 A. I didn't mean to be confusing. I
Page 189
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 Q. So -
3 A. The term asbestos wasn't until later
;
4 that it could cause a fibrotic condition. It was
5 known that there were dusty lung, and the Navy
6 certainly knew that. 7 Q. And was Alice Hamilton a consultant
8 to GE in the 1930s and forties? 9 A. Yes, Alice Hamilton was a consultant
10 to GE in the 1920s and 1930s on safety,
11 industrial hygiene and medicine.
12 Q. Have you seen in the 1920s and
13 thirties conveyed to GE the fact that asbestos
14 to cause asbestosis?
15 A. I'm familiar with one survey that she 16 performed at one location in which she, one of 17 the doctors there had found a case of 18 asbestosis, conferred with her and they took
19 appropriate precautions. 20 Q. And the doctor you're talking about
21 was a GE doctor? 22 A. I don't know if he was a GE doctor.
23 From the document, it appears he was a GE 24 doctor.
25 Q. And that was a GE plant that she
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t
2 surveyed?
2 went to Mr. Swote.
!;
3 A. From what I've been able to determine
3 Q. If it didn't go to Mr. Swote, it went
4 in her survey reports, yes, that was a GE plant.
4 to somebody else involved in health and safety
5 Q. And she was called in at the request
5 at GE; is that fair to say? GE got the report
}
6 of this GE doctor who had found this case of
6 from Dr. Hamilton. There's no question about
7 asbestosis?
7 that, is there?
;
8 A. That's not the way it reads.
8 A. From what I could determine GE got
9 Q. Okay. Tell me your understanding of
9 the report from Dr. Hamilton, at the time, acted
;
10 how it unfolded?
10 upon it, removed the man, put the other person
11 A. My understanding is that Alice
11 in an air line respirator and no more problems.
i
12 Hamilton was amazing. Alice Hamilton was hired 12 Q. So GEknew as of 1934 that asbestos
i
13 by the president of General Electric, his name
13 could cause asbestosis. Not would have known,
|
14 was Gerard Swote (phonetic), to go through GE
14 they knew?
15 plants and do environmental health industrial
15 A. It was no secret at the time.
16 hygiene surveys at will. She was given a blank
16 Q. I'm just asking you the earliest date
:
17 slate to go wherever she wanted. She wrote
17 that GE knew asbestos could cause asbestosis. So
18 reports directly to the president of GE and he,
18 is it your opinion to a reasonable degree of
19 in turn, made sure everything she recommended
19 certainty that GE knew asbestos could cause
i
20 was done.
20 asbestosis in 1934?
>
21
I in over 32 years as an industrial
21 A. Again, asbestos in high levels could
22 hygienist never heard of such an arrangement. It
22 cause asbestosis, yes, I would say it was known
23 was phenomenal at the time. It is still
23 in 1934. It was no secret it was known then.
24 something that is highly commendable, to say the
24 Q. Okay. And GE was informed in part by
25 least. Alice Hamilton was a consultant to GE.
25 Alice Hamilton as to how to reduce the incidence
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1
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2 What was the question?
2 of asbestosis, how to deal with the problem,
3 Q. As part of her consultancy work and
3 right?
;
4 the reports, one of the reports involved
4 A. In part.
5 asbestosis; is that fair to say?
5 Q. Okay. And in part where else did they
6 A. Yes, one of the reports she wrote in
6 get information as to how to deal with the
7 over ten years of surveys throughout all GE
7 problem to avoid asbestos disease, you mean from
8 facilities found that there had been a case of
8 other internal industrial hygienists of their
9 asbestosis which was taken care of, and, as I
9 own, where did they get that information other
10 mentioned before, there was no other case that
10 than from Dr. Hamilton as to how to avoid the
11 had come to the company's attention until 1971
11 risk of asbestos?
12 over 40 years later.
12 A. They used hundreds of materials.
13 Q. Okay. That was going to be my
13 Q. I know that. I'mjust talking about
14 question. In what year was this Alice Hamilton
14 asbestos?
15 survey that discussed the asbestosis case done?
15 A. I want to bring this into context for
16 A. In this one particular instance this
16 you. If you look at all the reports she did and
17 was a report which I think is from 1934.
17 all the surveys she made, it seemed apparent
18 Q. Okay.
18 that GE facilities were aware in the twenties
19 A. There was a little question about the
19 and thirties that certain types of precautions
20 date on the paper. It appears to be 1934.
20 should be taken with various types, including
21 Q. And that report was sent to Mr.
21 asbestos. GE being on the forefront of health
22 Swote, the president of GE at the time?
22 and safety had measures to control dust and dust
23 A. Well, I don't have the document
23 asbestos exposure back to the twenties.
24 specifically, but, all the other reports appear
24
It's in her reports where she goes
25 to have gone to Mr. Swote, so I would assume it
25 from factory to factory and says there's
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2 ventilation there, people in respirators here,
2 context. I apologize if you think I'm being
3 people getting x-rays there. So it was known
3 nit-picky.
4 throughout the countiy that there were a lot of
4 A. GE health and safety professionals
5 safety and health measures to take for a variety
5 going back over the years were aware, and, this
6 of substances.
6 is a lot from what I know from reading in the
7 Q. And it was known by 1934 by GE how to
7 Alice Hamilton surveys, for over ten years were
8 handle asbestos in a manner that would reduce
8 aware that certain types of measures would be
:
9 the risk of asbestos disease?
9 taken with various types of dust to control
10 A. You reduce the dusty exposure. I
10 exposures and prevent disease not only asbestos,
11 don't think it was a secret. Again, this was
11 but other potentially harmful material. Asbestos
12 part of their overall ongoing health and safety
12 was just one thing they use. And those measures
13 program at the time. Frankly, at the time the
13 would have included --
14 big occupational disease was silicosis.
14 Q. Before you go on, is it would have
15 Q. Whether it was a secret or not, it's
15 included or included?
16 your opinion to a reasonable degree of certainty
16 A. Included.
17 that GE as of 1934 knew how to reduce the risk
17 Q. Okay.
18 of asbestos disease?
18 A. And based, again, based on what I've
19 A. Yes, I think in 1934 they knew, as
19 seen in Dr. Hamilton's surveys included exhaust
20 well as other sophisticated companies and other
20 ventilation, wetting methods, respirators,
21 sophisticated entities at the time. It wasn't a
21 medical surveillance, meaning x-rays. That's
22 secret.
22 what I recall.
23 Q. Could you tell me what measures were
23 Q. Okay. Was knowledge of the hazards of
24 known by GE to reduce the risk of asbestos
24 asbestos by the people who were handling the
25 disease in 1934?
25 asbestos an important part of reducing the
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2
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection. Asked and
3 answered.
4 Q. You started listing some of them, but
5 I want to make sure I get a comprehensive list?
6
MR. SPEZIALI: In context, we're
7 talking about at its facilities? Is that
8 what I understand the question to be?
9
MR. KRISTAL: The question is what it
10 is.
11
MR. SPEZIALI: All right.
12 A. GE being responsible handling
13 asbestos responsibly for various periods of
14 time, as they did all other substances.
15 Q. I'm talking 1934. I'm talking
16 asbestos. I'm talking about GE's knowledge of
17 what measures should be taken to reduce the risk
18 of asbestos disease?
19 A. GE health and safety professionals
20 would have been aware.
21 Q. I'm not asking would have been aware
22 now. I'm asking what you believe GE actually 23 knew?
24 A. I don't mean to --
25 Q. It makes a difference in the legal
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2 incidence of asbestos disease in 1934?
3 A. The health and safety professionals
4 at GE over the years devised methods so that
5 people could work safely with all substances,
6 including asbestos. So the health and safety
7 professionals were certainly aware and made the
8 recommendations so that people were projected.
9 Q. My question has to do with GE
10 knowledge of reducing the risk of asbestosis in
11 1934. Did GE know in 1934 that to reduce the
12 risk of asbestos disease exhaust ventilation was
13 one method to do that in your opinion to a
14 reasonable degree of certainty?
15 A. The question is to reduce asbestos
16 disease?
17 Q. Right.
18 A. Could you say the whole thing again?
19 Q. Sure. Is it your opinion to a
20 reasonable degree of medical certainty that in
21 1934 GE knew that exhaust ventilation was one
22 method to reduce the risk of asbestos disease? 23 A. I'd say by 1934 GE health and safety
24 professionals would have been aware that exhaust
25 ventilation was one type of measure that could
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?
2 be utilized to reduce exposure to any number of
2
MR. SPEZIALI: In its facilities?
i
3 substances. Asbestos was used in very small
3
MR. KRISTAL: Anywhere.
4 quantities for they were dealing with a gamut of
4
MR. SPEZIALI: There's a big
5 industrial exposures.
5 difference.
6 Q. My question is focused on asbestos,
6
MR. KRISTAL: You can object to the
'
7 so I would like your answers to be focused on
7 farm of the question.
t
8 asbestos. Is it your opinion that as of 1934 GE
8
MR. SPEZIALI: I do object. I think
9 knew that exhaust ventilation was one authority,
9 it's an unfair question.
10 method or measure o f reducing the risk of
10 A. Can I have the question, please?
11 asbestos disease?
11 Q. Sure. What asbestos-containing
1
12 A. My answer was that in 1934 GE health
12 materials was GE using in 1934?
13 and safety professionals were aware that exhaust
13 A. Well, I don't know, other than the
14 ventilation was one type of measure that could
14 few products that they made, I don't know what
15 help prevent disease such as asbestosis.
15 other kinds of materials they were using, if it
16 Q. Fine. And by 1934 is it your opinion
16 wasn't reported.
17 to a reasonable degree of medical certainty that
17 Q. Okay. What products did GE make that
18 GE health and safety professionals knew that
18 contained asbestos in 1934?
19 wetting asbestos materials was one way of
19 A. In 1934?
20 reducing the risk of asbestos disease?
20 Q. Make it the 1930s if that's easier.
21 A. Yes, according to Alice Hamilton
21 A. GE made two types of products, small
22 survey reports in 1934 when she reported --
22 torques of which contained some amount of
23 strike that.
23 asbestos for certain periods of time. From the
24
Can I have your question again?
24 1930s to 1980, GE made wire and cable products,
25 Q. Sure. I'd like to know if in your
25 a small portion of which contained asbestos and
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2 opinion to a reasonable degree of certainty by
2 encapsulated asbestos. It's estimated that the
3 1934 GE health and safety specialists knew that
3 asbestos products, that the proportion was like
4 wetting asbestos-containing materials was one
4 five to ten percent, which decreased over time
5 method whereby they could reduce the risk of
5 into the seventies when in 1979 the NEC approved :
6 asbestos disease?
6 the highest temperature wire non-asbestos, and,
7 A. Well, there was no secret either.
7 the business was actually sold in 1980.
8 Certainly, by 1934 health and safety
8
So wire and cable was one type of
9 professionals knew that wetting could be one
9 product line, again, a small portion of which
;
10 method to suppress dust, meaning, an
10 contained asbestos. The other being polymers and
11 asbestos-containing dust, as well as other dusts
11 phenolics. Those are divided into two types. One
12 of interest.
12 is called textolite, and, textolite was made
13 Q. And by reducing the dust they knew
13 from the 1930s to 1973. Only about five percent
14 that you could reduce the risk of the disease?
14 of textolite material ever contained asbestos.
15 A. They who?
15 That was a laminate board. The other type of
16 Q. You said the health and safety
16 phenolic material was a material called genol
17 specialists generally knew that, by 1934 knew
17 (phonetic). You gave me, it was made in the 1920s
18 that using wet methods would reduce the amount
18 to 1972, and, again, not all genol ever
19 of dust that would be generated when asbestos
19 contained asbestos. That was phased out as
20 materials were handled, right?
20 asbestos-containing in 1972.
21
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection. What
21 Q. Anything else?
22 asbestos-containing products? What are you
22 A. Asbestos-containing textolite was
23 talking about?
23 phased out in 1973.
24 Q. What asbestos-containing products
24 Q. And the information about these
25 were being used by GE at that time?
25 products came in part from the Answers to
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2 Interrogatories that you reviewed?
2 consultants for the company.
3 A. As I said, there were a lot of cross
3 Q. Other than the products you have
4 checks.
4 mentioned you are aware that GE used
5 Q. I'm just asking you if some of the
5 asbestos-containing insulation to insulate
6 information --
6 turbines when they were tested in the twenties.
7 A. I'm answering your question.
7 thirties and forties, are you aware of that?
8 Q. Okay.
8 A. A turbine is not an asbestos product.
9 A. In part. But a lot of the material
9 A turbine is a metal machine that GE produced.
10 also came from the states. The oldest material
10 Q. I'm asking you if in the testing of
11 came from the states. There were search made,
11 those products you're aware that GE used
12 frequent information requests made of state
12 asbestos-containing insulation to test those
13 reports going back over time. So some of these
13 products in the factory?
14 descriptions of products and constituents were
14 A. Maybe, maybe not.
15 in reports from the various states.
15 Q. You don't know one way or the other?
16 Q. Okay. So in part you got information
16 A. I haven't seen anything relating to
17 that you just mentioned about these products
17 exactly what you're saying.
18 from General Electric Answers to Interrogatories
18 Q. Have you read Mr. Hobson's deposition
19 in part and in part you got it from?
19 that I took a couple weeks ago?
20 A. From industrial hygiene survey
20
A. No.
;
21 testing reports from the states.
21
Q. Did you see the photographs from the
22 Q. What do you mean from the states?
2 2 GE museum that turbines insulated with thermal
23 That's what I'm not understanding.
23 insulation from the twenties, thirties and
24 A. There's some others too.
24 forties, have you seen any photographs from any
25 Q. List the whole thing first.
25 GE plants, copies of --
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2 Industrial hygiene surveys from the states was
3 the second one?
4 A. State governments pre-OSHA had state
5 inspections. Post-OSHA there were OSHA
6 inspections. And there were searches made of
7 state records going back to the 1950s and some
8 of those reports provided information on the
9 products that I just told you about.
10 Q. Gotcha.
11 A. Constituents and things like that,
12 time periods, information. Some of the material
13 was, I also learned about from speaking to
14 people, some of the industrial hygiene medical
15 people who were with the company over periods of
16 time. There may have been other information.
17 That's what I recall right now.
18 Q. The state inspections, are those
19 different than the 4,500 industrial hygiene
20 studies?
21 A. There were 4,500 samples taken
22 throughout GE facilities from the fifties to the
23 nineties, and some of those measurements,
24 probably a small portion came from the states.
25 Other were done by a company, others by
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2
A. I've seen photos from GE plants. I'd
3 have to see exactly what you're talking about.
4 Q. Have you ever seen any photos of any
5 GE turbines with thermal insulation on them in
6 the plants of GE?
7 A. Not that I recall.
8 Q. Okay. I want you to assume that there
9 was asbestos-containing thermal insulation put
10 on GE turbines when they were tested in the
11 plant. Okay? Are you with me so far?
12
A. Yes.
13 Q. Are you aware of whether or not GE
14 took any measures to protect the people from the
15 risk of asbestos diseases who were handling
16 those products thermal insulation with asbestos?
17 A. As with all materials, the health and
18 safety professionals at GE would have devised
19 measures that would be protective of their
2 0 people because they're the employer and it's on
21 their premises.
2 2 Q. Okay. So GE's knowledge about the
23 hazards of asbestos would relate to any exposure
24 to asbestos regardless o f the source?
25
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
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2 Q. Whether it was a thermal insulation,
2 at least as of 1943 would have been aware of
3 or textile or anything else?
3 that, correct, that asbestos as in pipe covering
4
MR. SFEZ1ALI: Objection. You mean in
4 could pose the risk of asbestosis?
5 its facilities?
5 A. Well, it appears that the Navy shared
6
MR. KRISTAL: Yes.
6 that kind of information. I would think that GE
7 Q. You're saying GE had this stellar
7 health and safety professionals would have been
8 industrial hygiene program?
8 aware of prevailing medical and scientific
9 A. GE had a stellar program.
9 information at the time, including that
10 Q. And its knowledge about the hazards
10 forefront material from the United States Navy.
11 of asbestos that go back to 1934 included
11 Q. Okay. Do you have an opinion as to
12 asbestos that would be contained in any asbestos
12 whether GE knew more or less or about the same
13 product, right? It wasn't broken out asbestos in 14 1934 we know is dangerous in textiles as opposed
13 as the Navy historically as to the hazards of 14 asbestos?
15 to insulation? 16 A. I don't understand the question. I
15 A. My understanding from having worked 16 with the United States Navy and having reviewed
17 think it's a couple parts. 18 Q. Let me re-ask it. By the mid-1930s,
17 documents that the Navy was the foremost source 18 of information about asbestos and its possible
19 do you have an opinion as to whether or not GE
19 hazards. The Navy had a highly invigorated
20 was aware that asbestos-containing thermal
20 health and safety program rich in tradition
-
21 insulation presented a risk of asbestos disease?
21 going back over time.
22 Do you have an opinion on that subject?
22 Q. When you say the Navy was the
23 A. By the middle to late, by the middle
23 foremost source of information about the hazards
24 1960s to 1970 GE health and safety professionals
24 of asbestos, what do you mean?
25 would have been aware of the studies that were
25 A. I would say the Navy was an expert in
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2 conducted on insulation material.
2 asbestos, in its uses, you know, properties.
3 Q. I'm not asking you that. When is the
3 Q. Okay. And you're getting that from
4 earliest point in time that you believe GE or
4 the Brown article we saw, right, in part?
5 any GE health and safety professionals were
5 A. Well, in part. As I said, I worked
6 aware that asbestos as in the same materials
6 with the Navy and I'm aware, I worked for the
;
7 that we saw in the 1943 minimum requirements
7 Navy and I'm aware of their tradition in health
i
8 document posed a risk of asbestos disease?
8 and safety. I was an industrial hygienist at a
!
9
MR. SPEZ1AL1: Objection. She's not
9 shipyard.
i
10 being offered in that area.
10 Q. The Navy had a whole lot more on its
!
11 A. You're saying disease. That's very
11 plate than GE did?
|
12 broad.
12 A. I don't know what you mean by that.
I
13 Q. Asbestosis?
13 Q. GE was making product, some of which
3
14 A. I'd say it wasn't a secret. As we
14 contained asbestos. The Navy was involved in
1
15 said, 1934, mid-thirties it was known in the
15 building ships, fighting, transporting troops,
:
16 medical and scientific community that high
16 supplying troops. It had a lot of things going
i
17 levels of asbestos dust could cause asbestosis.
17 on other than asbestos, right?
?
18 Q. From whatever the source?
18
MR. SPEZIALI: Sort of like GE, you
;
19 A. High levels of asbestos dust, right,
19 mean?
;
20 from whatever the source.
20
MR. KRISTAL: Exactly. That's what I'm
;
21 Q. And as we saw from the 1943 minimum
21 saying.
s
22 requirements document they were talking about
22 A. When you're saying the Navy had a lot
i
23 asbestos as in pipe covering, right? 24 A. Yes, they said as in pipe covering.
23 on its plate, I don't know what you mean. I
5
24 don't know if you're being funny or not.
-
25 Q. So GE health and safety specialists
25 Q. I'm not being funny at all. I usually
i
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2 telegraph my jokes.
3
Did you say the Navy was the foremost
4 source o f information about asbestos?
5 A. Yes, the Navy was a highly
6 sophisticated customer with a long-standing
7 tradition in health and safety and knowledge.
8 Q. Would you say that GE was highly
9 sophisticated with respect to its knowledge
10 about asbestos?
11 A. I'd say that GE health and safety
12 professionals were knowledgable about the
13 knowledge of the constituents o f their products
14 and they took measures so that their people,
15 their employees on their premises could work
16 safely with that, including other materials.
17 Q. Okay.
18 A. That was just one o f hundreds of
19 thousands o f materials that they handled safely.
| 20
MR. KRISTAL: Are you offering Ms.
121 Drucker with respect to warnings issues?
!22
MR. SPEZLALI: Am I offering her as to
23 warnings issues? No.
j 24 Q. Is it your opinion to a reasonable
25 degree of certainty that by 1934 GE health and
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Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 Go ahead.
3 A. The people, who? The people?
Q. You said GE had measures in place to
5 reduce the risk of asbestos disease?
6 A. I said the health and safety
7 professionals devised to prevent asbestosis
8 among other diseases.
9 Q. To prevent asbestos diseases among
0 whom are you talking about, GE employees?
1 A. Well, we're talking about GE
2 employees on GE premises. That's what they had
3 control of. So the GE health and safety
4 professionals who had control of GE employees on
5 premises devised certain safety measures.
6 Q. And was one of those measures letting
17 the people who were being exposed to asbestos
18 know that they were at risk of asbestos disease
19 so that the people could take measures to make
20 sure they would reduce their exposure?
21
MR. SPEZLALI: Objection.
22 Q. The GE employees?
23 A. The GE health and safety employee
24 professionals were the people who were
25 knowledgable, and they devised measures so
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2 safety specialists were aware the use of
3 respirators could reduce the risk of asbestos
4 disease?
5
MR. SPEZLALI: Didn't we do this one
6 already?
7
MR. KRISTAL: I don't think so.
8 A. I don't think it was a secret in the
9 medical and scientific literature that reducing
10 exposure to dust can prevent disease. Say, by
11 the mid-thirties the health and safety
12 professionals would have been aware.
13 Q. At GE? 14 A. The health and safety professionals
15 at GE would have been aware that reducing
16 exposure such as respirators would prevent
17 disease. 18 Q. And specifically to asbestos?
19 A. To asbestosis, yes.
20 Q. Was it important for people using
21 asbestos at GE to be aware that the material
122 they were using was potentially hazardous in
23 terms o f them reducing their risk o f the
24 disease?
1 25
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection. Relevance.
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2 people can work safely. 3 Q. If in 1934 someone who was handling
4 asbestos was given a respirator do you think it
5 would have been important for that person to
6 have been told by the GE health and safety 7 specialist that there was a risk of disease if
8 they didn't use the respirator?
9
MR. SPEZIALI: Same objection.
10 A. Could you say that again, please?
11 Q. Let me start again. As an industrial
12 hygienist you believe it's important for people
13 to know they're working with a potentially
14 hazardous substance so they can reduce their
15 risk? 16 A. That's certainly the approach OSHA
17 takes now. Going back over time, it's not clear. 18 Q. You don't think in the 1930s it was
19 known by the industrial hygiene community that
20 one way of reducing risks to hazardous
21 substances was to let people know that they were
22 working with a hazardous substance?
23 A. Well, as a professional who does this 24 kind of work, the way it works is that the 25 health and safety professionals study an area,
54 (Pages 210 to 213)
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2 study an environment, make a professional
2
It's also important to tell people
3 determination as to what needs to be done to
3 that things can happen and, you know, this is
4 protect people, various types of procedures
4 for their betterment they should use these
5 perhaps, and, certainly, as a part would explain
5 things in a certain way. But the main way
6 to people to utilize the appropriate measures
6 occupational health and safety works is through
7 such as respirators and ventilation, but it's
7 health and safety professionals devising
8 the health and safety professionals that go in
8 measures to protect people for employers to
9 and have the experience and training and can set
9 protect their employees and to control what can
10 up these measures so that they're followed.
10 be controlled best by those who can do the
11
I've worked for over 30 years doing this
11 controlling.
12 kind of work, and, what's most effective is for
12
MR. KRISTAL: Why don't we take a
13 a premises, for a location, for an area to have
13 break and come back to this?
14 controls in place. It doesn't work just telling
14
(Whereupon, there is a recess in the
15 people about different kind of things. What you
15 proceedings.)
16 have to do is tiy and engineer problems out and
16
(Whereupon, Various Documents are
17 control the source, and that has to be done by
17 marked Plaintiff's Drucker Exhibit 4 For
18 people who are trained in the field by
18 Identification.)
19 professional health and safety people who know
19
(Whereupon, Various Documents are
20 how to device measures.
20 marked Plaintiffs Drucker Exhibit 5 For
21 Q. I wasn't saying informing people of
21 Identification.)
22 the hazard was the only measure. But you
22 Q. I've marked as Drucker Exhibit 4 a
23 certainly believe that is one of the measures?
23 paper clipped group of documents. On the first
24 A. Certainly from what we know today
24 page in handwriting it says "Radcliffe - please
25 it's a part of health and safety perhaps such as we
25 note stamp on back of each page." Could you tell
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2 know now.
2 us what Exhibit 4 is?
3 Q. When, in your opinion, was the
3 A. This note is something that I wrote.
4 earliest that that was a part of health and
4 What I did was, about three or four weeks ago, I
5 safety programs?
5 visited Harvard and Radcliffe libraries to look
6 A. I don't know if I can give you an
6 for papers that were relevant that were Alice
7 exact date.
7 Hamilton. I looked at some of the Drinker files.
8 Q. You don't believe it was a part of
8 So this collection comes from Radcliffe Library,
9 health and safety from an industrial hygienist's
9 and, these are some industrial hygiene, some
10 point to educate workers as to the potential
10 surveys and other correspondence information
11 hazards they might be exposed to in the 1930s?
11 that I found in Radcliffe in the Alice Hamilton
12 A. I think it's part of an overall
12 collection that's housed there.
13 program that, to me, being a professional and
13 Q. Okay.
14 knowing how this works -- can I finish without
14 A. Some that I didn't think that I had
15 being cut off?
15 seen that we had collected before, so I had
16 Q. Sure. Go ahead. I wish you would
16 copies made and then I sent them on to Mr.
17 answer the question, though.
17 Kapshandy's firm, and that's how they ended up
18 A. The way it really works, I've worked
18 here.
19 for companies, I've worked for the Navy, I've
19 Q. Okay. What were you looking for at
20 worked in various situations, the way it really
20 the Radcliffe Library in terms of documents you
21 works, the way to protect people is to put
21 would select out of a larger group of documents?
22 measures in place as the employer, as the
22 A. What I was looking for principally at
23 premises owner, as the person who has control
23 Radcliffe were Dr. Alice Hamilton's work she did
24 over what's going on and to institute measures
24 throughout GE's facilities or anything related
25 so people are protected.
25 to her work at GE, and, what I had with me was a
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Page 220 >
2 list o f some of the articles that we collected
2 GE? She wasn't just doing this report for her
;
3 on Alice Hamilton and I was adding to it those
3 own edification, was she?
4 which I didn't think we had. So I wanted to
4 A. As was her custom, she would forward
5 supplement the collection so that we would have
5 information, forward the reports to GE.
;
6 as many as we could.
6
Q. I read that report quickly. It
;
7 Q. When you say "articles," you mean
7 doesn't discuss asbestosis or asbestos at all,
8 documents as opposed to, somebody says an
8 does it?
9 article, I think of a published article?
9 A. I didn't see a mention of asbestos or
10 A. When I say article here I'm referring
10 asbestosis.
11 to either her letters or industrial hygiene
11 Q. It's focused more on silica?
12 survey reports, or, there are some, I just saw
12 A. It took a lot of her attention. When
13 one this week, an article in here, some
13 you look at her body of information, she studied
14 correspondence back and forth within the
14 at GE and non-GE alike. Yes, this appears to be
15 company. I meant that in that sense ofjust -
15 non-silica.
16 Q. Items?
16 Q. Are the industrial hygiene principles
17 A. Items. Thank you.
17 that relate to silica dust and reducing silica
18 Q. A ~ there's a 1929, it looks like some
18 disease in the 1920s that are outlined in that
19 sort of a report from a foundry; is that
19 report the same industrial hygiene principles
20 correct?
20 that would apply to any other pneumococcus
21 A. If it's ear tabbed, it says, "April
21 producing dust such as asbestos?
22 19th, 1929 and Elmira Foundry."
22 A. I'm going to have to ask you to focus
23 Q. And what is your understanding as to
23 for me and tell me what you're looking at.
24 what that document is?
24 Q. Why did you copy that document? Let's
25 A. Can I look it over for a minute?
25 put it that way.
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2 Q. O f course.
2 A. Why did I copy this?
3
(Whereupon, the witness peruses the
3 Q. Yes.
4 document.)
4 A. As I said, it was part of the Alice
5 A. Yes. Thank you.
5 Hamilton documents in the GE collection, and, to
6 Q. My question was, what is your
6 me, it was very important to show that not only
7 understanding of what that document is?
7 was she visiting GE facilities, but that she was
8 A. Dr. Alice Hamilton visited the Elmira
8 very, paying very much attention to the leading
9 Foundry Company and wrote about it in this
9 occupational disease at the time that related to
10 report.
10 silica, silicosis. So it put in context for me
11 Q. And sent it to GE; is that your
11 the general idea that silica was a leading
12 understanding? Let me back up a second. How do 12 disease at the time, industrial disease, I
13 you know Alice Hamilton wrote that?
13 should say.
14 A. Well, I found this in her, I found it
14 Q. And the import of that with respect
15 in the Alice Hamilton collection at Radcliffe,
15 to opinions you have in this case is what, that
16 and, I was going through the papers, and, as I
16 people shouldn't have been paying attention to
17 was going through the papers I noticed that the
17 asbestos?
18 type face, she had a typewriter she prepared a
18 A. Well, I think that it puts into
19 lot of reports on. It was in the folder for
19 context what was really, what was going on in
20 Alice Hamilton. The type face was the same. The
20 industry and in the health and safety at the
21 handwriting in the corrections is the same. So I
21 time. The leading occupational illness of the
22 believe this is an Alice Hamilton survey report.
22 time was silicosis. Emphasis was put on silica.
23 Q, And it's also your report that that
23 And it's not that no heed should be paid to
24 Alice Hamilton 1929 Elmira survey report was
24 asbestos, but it wasn't, it just was not as big
25 forwarded at or around the date of the report to
25 a deal as silicosis and possibly other
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2 industrial diseases that were prevalent at the
2 Q. So as of 1929, at least from this
3 time.
3 Alice Hamilton survey of the GE foundry, GE
4
MR. SPEZIALI: Just for clarification.
4 health and safety specialists were aware that
5 I don't plan on having her render those
5 individuals who were not working with a dusty
6 opinions in this case. The reason we
6 product could be exposed to the dust being
7 brought that is we are going to have her
7 created by others working nearby; is that fair
8 talk about Alice Hamilton and those are
8 to say?
9 part of the Alice Hamilton materials.
9 A. Could you say as of this date?
10 Q. Do you know who AJ Lanza (phonetic)
10 Q. 1929.
11 was?
11 A. It was no secret. I would think
12 A. I'm familiar with a Dr. Lanza, yes.
12 that any sophisticated health and safety
13 Q. Okay. Who was Dr. Lanza?
13 professional, medical people at the time it
14 A. For more completeness I would refer
14 would make sense that you segregate areas.
15 to my listing, but I'm familiar there was a Dr.
15 Certainly the Navy would have known something
16 Lanza who had done some studies on, including
16 like that at that point in time. Sophisticated
17 asbestos. I don't recall what else was studied.
17 places would have known it.
18 Q. Is that something you learned from
18 Q. Certainly GE knew it?
19 the GE folks you interviewed?
19 A. We know from this report the premier
20 A. I certainly got that from some of the
20 expert working in the country working for GE
21 medical and scientific literature at the time,
21 mentioned that.
22 and, it's something that over periods of time, I
22 Q. And mentioned it to GE?
23 told you I reviewed documents for many years,
23 A. Yes, she did.
24 and it's something that I'm sure I have been
24 Q. Could you tell us what Exhibit 5 is
25 familiar with at different periods of time.
25 just for the record.
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2 Q. Have you ever seen a textbook called
2 A. This is my handwriting. It says
3 "Asbestosis and Silicosis" by Lanza?
3 "Harvard - please note stamp on front." I went
4 A. Not that I recall.
4 to Harvard University Medical School Medical
5 Q. The second tab on Exhibit 4, there's
5 Library in Boston and I looked at papers that
6 a section I will read you and sentence and hand
6 they were, that they pulled for me on Alice
7 it back to you. It says, "A canvass screen has
7 Hamilton, on Philip Drinker, on some of the
8 been placed to keep from two men the dust which
8 histoxy of the Harvard School of Public Health,
9 another man raises when he blows out his moles."
9 General Electric. There were a few things in
10 Do you see that?
10 there they searched for me, and these were some
11
(Whereupon, the witness peruses the
11 documents that I found that were not in our
12 document.)
12 collection that I wanted to supplement the
13 A. I sure do.
13 collection with to make it more complete.
14 Q. And that was a well-known industrial
14 Q. When you say "not in our collection,"
15 hygiene principle of the time, the time being at
15 who is the "our" that you're referring to?
16 least 1929, o f segregating dusty work so that
16 A. The listing that I mentioned to you
17 people who were not involved with dusty work
17 before, the index listing has a number of
18 wouldn't be exposed to the dust being created by
18 documents which I've contributed, which some of
19 others?
19 them had been contributed by the Sidley law
20 A. I don't know how well-known it was. I
20 firm. We had both put documents into this
21 would think by very sophisticated entities such
21 listing, and I thought these were absent so I
22 as the Navy, sophisticated places would have
22 wanted to supplement our collection.
23 been aware that that would have been one measure 23 Q. Okay.
24 that could be helpful to segregate dust one area
24
(Whereupon, Videotape is marked
25 to another.
25 Plaintiff's Drucker Exhibit 6 For
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2 Identification.)
1
w ..
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
Page 228
3 Q. This is a videotape marked Exhibit 6. 4 It says, "Electric Nation PBS"?
2 A. Yes, I did. There's a Men and Bolts 3 at War. It's a story of GE in World War II. 4
5 A. Yes. 6 Q. What is that?
Q. Anything about industrial hygiene? 5 A. I think it puts into perspective 6 that, you know, GE as a company worked with many
7 A. I highly recommend this. This is a 8 video that was made of a program, and it's about
7 type of health and safety situations. They had 8 many things they had to do. Men and Bolts at War
9 the lighting o f America and about the history of 10 lighting in America from the turn of the last
9 deals with GE's contribution to the war effort 10 and winning the war through the work they did
11 Century, 19th Centuiy and how lighting spread
11 around the clock for many years during --I'm
12 literally from nothing to lighting the whole
12 sorry. Your question was?
13 nation. So that's what "Electric Nation" means, 14 and it's, it shows fantastic growth, and some of
13 Q. The question was whether it had 14 anything to do with industrial hygiene?
15 the origination of electricity and major works
15 A. Well, I think in terms of the
16 in its generation and its transformation were GE 17 people.
16 spectrum of what you can see GE got into the 17 observation that the health and safety
18 Q. Does it in any way discuss industrial 19 hygiene?
18 professionals were very premier, and it just 19 speaks to me in general about the quality of the
20 A. I haven't seen it in a little while
20 company.
21 and I don't recall nothing, but that's not to
21 Q. Okay. Are you saying that the book
22 say it doesn't.
22 Men and Bolts discusses GE, discusses hygiene at
23 Q. Does it discuss asbestos?
23 any level?
24 A. Not that I remember.
24
MR. SPEZIALI: There is a Men and
25 Q. Does it discuss a Navy knowledge of
25 Bolts and a Men and Bolts at War.
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2 asbestos, GE knowledge of asbestos?
2 A. Not directly. But as somebody who has
3 A. Not that I recall.
3 looked at the rich history and GE being on the
4 Q. Okay. What relevance does it have to
4 forefront of health and safety, it measures to
5 any opinions you may have in this case?
5 me they were so on the forefront and all the
6
MR. SPEZIALI: I'll answer that. It's
6 contributions they made to the war effort and to
7 relevant to who GE is.
7 this country winning this war. It's just part to
8
MR. KRISTAL: Okay.
8 me of a story.
9
MR. SPEZIALI: You know, the thing
9 Q. What does that have to do with
10 about other things that they have to do and
10 measuring with industrial hygiene? You can have
11 worry about, sort of like the Navy.
11 a company that can do what you just said and
12
(Whereupon, Handwritten Note is
12 have a great industrial high program or have a
13 marked Plaintiffs Drucker Exhibit 7 For
13 bad industrial hygiene program.
14 Identification.)
14 A. I don't know about that. What I've
15 Q. Drucker 7 is a little note "Men and
15 been able to ascertain, GE had a premier
16 Bolts at War (phonetic), GE History, Betts'
16 program. They were on the forefront of health
17 Power Point Exhibits"?
17 and safety. This, to me, was just, it directed
18
MR. KAPSHANDY: No, deposition.
18 me to the contributions that GE made in helping
19
MR. KRISTAL: I'm sorry.
19 win World War II and the types of material and
20
MR. KAPSHANDY: That's my handwriting. 20 equipment produced and how it helped allow this
21
MR. KRISTAL: That's deposition and
21 country to prevail.
22 exhibit?
22 Q. What's that got to do with industrial
23
MR. KAPSHANDY: Right.
23 hygiene?
24 Q. You've reviewed the book Men and
24 A. As a professional, when I look at
25 Bolts?
25 organizations and I do analyses, surveys,
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2 studies o f different organizations, I think I've
2 view this company.
3 seen over the course of my career that companies
3 Q. If you had just read that book would
4 that are premier, generally have premier
4 you be rendering an opinion o f what kind of
5 aspects associated with them that, to me, what
5 industrial hygiene company they had?
6 this meant in health and safety was here's a
6 A. If I had only read this book?
7 company that is just outstanding and it just
7 Q. Yes.
8 meshed to me in terms of their health and safety
8 A. It's part of a bunch of pieces that
9 effort over the years how they've been in the
9 fit together, a bunch of information that all
10 forefront, and it just, to me, it was just
10 points in the same direction. It's just part of
11 another piece of the GE picture.
11 the picture of the company that is GE.
12 Q. Other than being another piece of the
12 Q. And is there any part of that book
13 GE picture generally as to what the General
13 that discusses any aspect of industrial hygiene?
14 Electric Company was about, it had nothing to do
14 A. Not that I could cite right now.
15 with industrial hygiene, did it? It doesn't say
15 Q. What's the next book, "GE History"?
:
16 what GE knew or didn't know or any measures they 16 It's like a coffee table history book?
17 took to prevent any disease or anything about
17 A. It's actually a great book. It's 1976
18 that?
18 to 1986 GE history, and that's the history of
;
19 A. Well, as I said, as a professional,
19 the General Electric Company, and, from its
20 when I look at an organization, I look at many
20 inception from the companies from which it was
21 times an organization in its totality, and this
21 founded in the 1890's and how it consolidated
22 company -- can I finish?
22 and grew from there and the contributions it's
23 Q. O f course you can finish.
23 made over the years in medicine, in various
24 A. Thank you. And this company made a
24 services, certainly in electrical products.
;
25 major contribution in World War n and things
25
It's also, it's a rich history of a
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1
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2 that they made and the descriptions of how the
2 very diversified company, made hundreds if not
3 factories were run around the clock and just
3 thousands of types of products over the years,
4 how the output was continuous and the types, the
4 and it provides a lot of good background
5 varied amounts of materials that they made, and,
5 information on the company.
6 obviously, in making these things they had to
6 Q. Nothing in it about industrial
7 work with thousands of types of substances, many
7 hygiene, right?
8 of which could have been hazardous, and they
8 A. Not that I recall. To me, again, it's
9 obviously have been on the forefront of health
9 part of the overall picture of this company.
10 and safety, and this was part of it.
10 Q. You're aware that GE made x-ray
11 Q. You're saying that every company that
11 equipment beginning in the 1930s to help detect
12 made a major contribution to World War n and
12 pneumococcus, including asbestosis?
;
13 had production around the clock had stellar
13 A. I'm aware that GE made x-ray
14 industrial hygiene programs?
14 equipment. The next part of your question, I'd
;
15 A. What I've been able to gather about
15 have to see some documentation on that.
16 GE from many variety of sources, this was one
16 Q. Have you ever seen some x-ray
;
17 more piece of a picture of a company that is,
17 equipment?
18 that's been on the forefront in health and
18 A. Yes.
19 safety and in other ways too certainly in their
19 Q. It was being promoted to help in the
20 contribution to the war effort in World War II.
20 medical surveillance programs you discussed in
21 Q. And I'm asking if it's your opinion
21 the thirties with respect to asbestos disease?
22 that all companies who made a major contribution 22 A. Could you ask that again? I want to
23 to the World War II war effort had stellar
23 make sure I understand your question.
24 industrial hygiene programs?
24 Q. Sure. The question is whether you
25 A. I don't know. I had an opportunity to
25 have seen any literature whereby the GE x-ray
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2 equipment as of the 1930s was being promoted for 2 deposition.
3 use in medical surveillance type activities such
3 Q. Why did you read his deposition?
4 as you mentioned in terms o f the knowledge GE
4 A. For background information.
5 had about asbestosis?
5 Q. On what subject?
6 A. As I sit here right now I can't think
6 A. General material. Dr. Betts had a
7 of an article on that, but I do know that they
7 long and illustrious career with the United
8 made, electric, excuse me, x-ray equipment that
8 States Navy, and I thought that would be
9 would have been used for a variety of medical
9 productive to read what he had to say
10 and health prevention purposes.
10 Q. Why?
11 Q. Including the detection of
11 A. Because he had been a physician and
12 pneumococcus?
12 an industrial hygienist with the United States
13 A. Quite possibly.
13 Navy. I thought that his, the information he
14 Q. What's the next item, Betts'
14 could impart would be contributoiy, would be
15 deposition and exhibits?
15 informational.
16 A. Yes.
16 Q. Contributory to what?
17 Q. What does that mean?
17
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection. She read it
18 A. That refers to this list, Dr. Betts'
18 because we asked her to because she's being
19 exhibits to his deposition.
19 offered as a witness.
20 Q. In your hand, Drucker Exhibit 3?
20
MR. KRISTAL: All you need to do is
21 A. Yes.
21 say objection.
22 Q. What is Exhibit 3?
22
MR. SPEZIALI: No, not when you're
23 A. It's called "Asbestos Library
23 fighting with her.
24 Catalog." It's my understanding it's Dr. Betts'
24
MR. KRISTAL: We will get the judge on
25 compendium or list.
25 the phone. Let's call Judge Freedman.
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 Q. And that's what that last note -
3 A. Exhibits to his deposition. So that's
4 what I would say, that is his deposition
5 exhibits.
6
MR. KAPSHANDY: Deposition and
7 exhibits.
8
THE WITNESS: I'm sorry.
9 Q. You read his deposition?
10 A. We went over that before, yes, I did.
11 I had an opportunity to read his deposition.
12 Q. Do you disagree with anything he
13 expressed in his deposition?
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2
MR. SPEZIALI: Ask your next question.
3
MR. KRISTAL: If you promise you're
4 not going to do that.
5
MR. SPEZIALI: Let me hear the
6 question.
7 Q. When you said it was contributory,
8 contributory to what?
9 A. Contributory to general information
10 for me. I was asked to read it. I looked at it.
11 It was of interest. Dr. Betts had been a
12 physician and industrial hygienist with the 13 United States Navy.
14
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection. She's not
15 here as a witness against another witness,
16 nor is she here relevant to all the areas
17 Dr. Betts testified to.
14 Q. So it was contributory on your 15 knowledge on the subject?
16 A. To certain information that he 17 related.
18 Q. Do you disagree with anything he 19 testified to in his deposition?
20 A. It's kind of broad. If you can focus 21 me Td be happy to answer. 22 Q. With regard to his testimony of stark
18 Q. Okay. Such as what?
19 A. I'd have to look at the transcript. 20 Q. Okay. Without looking at the 21 transcript you cannot say what it was in 22 particular that his deposition helped to
23 knowledge with regard to asbestos disease, would 24 you disagree?
25 A. I would have to look at the
23 c o n tr ib u t e in te r m s o f y o u r k n o w le d g e b a s e ? 24 A. I have to look at the transcript. 25 Q. Okay.
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2
MR. KR1STAL: I'm just reading from
2 standards with respect to exposure to asbestos,
3 Exhibit 1. "Ms. Drucker may testify to the 4 state-of-the-art with respect to asbestos
3 including TLVs and OSHA-promulgated permissible 4 exposure limits?
5 in the scientific and industrial hygiene
5 A. Okay. If we take TLVs at OSHA,
6 communities, and in particular the
6 permissible exposure limits going back to 1946,
7 evolution of knowledge regarding the
7 the ACGIH, the American Conference of Industrial
8 effects of asbestos exposure and its
8 Hygienists, proposed a promulgated a level that
9 control during the time period relevant to
9 they first called the maximum allowable
10 this case, i.e., prior to 1973."
10 concentration and changed the name to threshold
11
As I understand it, she's not
11 limit value, and that was 500 particles per
12 testifying that broadly, or is she? I
12 cubic foot. In 1968, which the ACGIH then
13 thought earlier we were not begging off,
13 proposed a level of 12 fibers per cc, and then
14 but that Ms. Drucker's knowledge as she
14 OSHA came into effect in 1971. They also adopted
15 sits here related to state-of-the-art with
15 that 12 fiber per cc level in 1972, and that was
16 respect to asbestos and the Navy and GE.
16 a permissible exposure. In 1972, OSHA lowered
17
MR. SPEZIALI: I think, I mean, yes. I
17 the permissible exposure limit to five fibers
18 mean, obviously, when you get into those
18 per cc, and, in 1976, OSHA lowered that again to
19 topics they go a little beyond that and
19 two fibers per cc. In 1986, OSHA again lowered
20 talk about industry in general, but, I
20 that to 0.2 fibers per cc, and, then, in 1994
21 mean, that's how I'm going to address it
21 OSHA again lowered it to 0.1 fibers per cc for
22 when I present it, that testimony, if that
22 any 30 minute period, and that's in effect
23 makes sense.
23 currently now. There were some levels going back
24 Q. Do you have an opinion as to the
24 over time, I just mentioned the current one,
25 state-of-the-art with respect to asbestos in the
25 meaning the one we have now since 1994.
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1
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2 scientific and industrial hygiene communities,
2 Q. Do you know the history of the
3 and in particular as to the evolution of
3 promulgation of the MAC for asbestos by the
4 knowledge regarding the effects of asbestos
4 ACGIH?
5 exposure and its control during the period
5 A. Well, I've seen documents in the
6 relevant to this case other than with respect to
6 documentation for threshold limit values over
7 the Navy and GE?
7 the years.
8
MR. SPEZIALI: Again, I'm not going to
8 Q. I'm talking about the first one in
9 ask her about that, Jerry.
9 1947?
10 Q. Nor do you have an opinion as you sit
10 A. Well, as I sit here, I don't recall
11 here today on that subject?
11 in its entirety. I do recall that it was based
12 A. I've been asked to concentrate on the
12 on state-of-the-art at the time, which would
13 Navy in this particular instance.
13 have included Dreesen.
14 Q. So you don't have an opinion on that
14 Q. Anything else?
15 as you sit here today?
15 A. Which they adopted was the five
16 A. As I sit here today, I have not
16 million particles per cubic foot on the Dreesen
17 formulated one.
17 study.
18 Q. Okay. "She may also testify regarding
18 Q. Anything else?
19 the evolution of various standards for exposure
19 A. Not that I remember right now. I'd
20 to asbestos, including TLVs and OSHA-promulgated 20 have to look at the document.
21 permissible exposure limits."
21 Q. And that was total dust?
22
Do you have an opinion on that?
22 A. Well, you know, I've seen it both
23 A. Well, if you ask me a question I
23 ways. I think at different periods of time it
24 could answer it for you.
24 was thought to be either asbestos because in the
!
25 Q. Could you tell me the evolution of
25 proceedings, I think in 1946 they broke it out
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2 where they had five million particles per cubic
2 that contained asbestos but did not know how
3 foot asbestos compared to 50 million particles
3 much dust there was, i.e., above or below five
4 per cubic foot total dust. I'd say over periods
4 million particles per cubic foot? You either
5 of time the thought was, you know, different
5 have an opinion or don't have an opinion on that
6 whether it was total dust, whether it was
6 subject?
7 asbestos-containing dust. It just varied over
7 A. I don't know how else to answer that
8 time.
8 question.
9 Q. Would you agree that by the 1950s,
9 Q. Your answer had nothing to do with my
10 the early 1950s GE knew if you didn't know the
10 question.
11 concentration of asbestos dust you should wear a
12 respirator when you were around asbestos?
13
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
11 A. It's the employer who's responsible 12 for determining potentially hazardous exposures. 13 Q. Who says?
14 A. I'm not sure I understand your
14 A. Who says?
15 question. 16 Q. Sure. I'm asking you if you have an 17 opinion as to whether GE knew by the early 1950s 18 that if you didn't know what the air measure was 19 you should wear a respirator when you were
15 Q. Who said in the 1940s? 16 A. OSHA says what we know now. And 17 before OSHA came into being there was state 18 health departments that said the employer has 19 the responsibility, the employer is the person
20 around asbestos dust? 21 A. Well, GE health and safety
20 who's in control of the premises, who's in 21 control of the employee and who can exercise
22 professionals looked into a myriad of 23 potentially hazardous materials. Any material 24 can be hazardous. It depends how you work with 25 it safely.
22 control over any kind of potential exposures to 23 protect the person in place. 24 Q. In your opinion, the manufacturer of 25 an asbestos-containing product has no
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1
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2
Now, in the case of asbestos, the
2 responsibility to warn of the hazard of
3 health and safety professionals would have
3 asbestos?
4 looked into a devised method so that people
4
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
5 could work with it safely, just as they did with
5 A. The manufacturer of a product?
6 all of the other hundreds of thousands of
6 Q. Yes.
7 materials.
7 A. The manufacturer --
8 Q. My question is, do you have an
8 Q. Let me ask --
9 opinion as to whether or not GE was aware by the
9 A. You asked me a question.
10 early 1950s that when you were around dust that
10 Q. Go ahead.
11 contained asbestos and didn't know the
11 A. The manufacturer of a product --
12 measurement that you should wear a respirator?
12 Q. Right.
13
MR. SPEZLALI: Same objection.
13 A. -- Has responsibility, the
14 A. Well, I answered that. The health and
14 manufacturer of a product to learn about that
15 safety professionals at GE would have devised
15 which it knows about its product.
16 programs to insure the safety of their employees
16 Q. Warn whom? Warn. Not learn.
17 on their premises, that which they controlled,
17
MR. SPEZIALI: Same objection.
18 and, the health and safety people would have
18 A. The manufacturer of a product has a
19 taken appropriate measures, whether it was
19 responsibility to warn.
20 tests, to determine whatever it was involved,
20 Q. Whom?
21 they would take protective measures for their
21 A. We're talking in the abstract, and I
22 people on their premises, that which they had
22 need to know which different type of products.
23 control over.
23 I'd say in general those people who may
24 0- Did GE in the 1950s know that you
24 encounter that type of hazard from their
25 should wear a respirator if you were around dust
25 product.
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1
2 Q. Okay.
2
3 A. The manufacturer's own product, that
3
4 which they make.
4
5 Q. Do you have an opinion as to whether
5
6 or not the manufacturer of a piece of equipment
6
7 who knows that a potentially hazardous substance
7
8 is being put on its equipment has a duty to warn
8
9 or not?
9
10
MK. SPEZIALI: Objection. There's no
10
11 evidence to support your hypothetical.
11
12 Q. You can answer.
12
13 A. As I said before, the manufacturer of
13
14 a product has a responsibility to warn. I think
14
15 that the manufacturer -- were your questions
15
16 related to something else? Maybe you can clarify
16
17 that.
17
18 Q. Sure. I said does the manufacturer of
18
19 a product which the manufacturer knows is going
19
20 to have a potentially hazardous substance placed
20
21 on it have an obligation to warn?
21
22 A. Warn about what?
22
23 Q. Warn about the dangerous of the
23
24 product that's being placed.
24
25 A. Warn about what kind of dangers?
25
Page 248
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct Drucker testify about an employer's obligation or a sophisticated user's obligation to warn people. If you're not going to go into that, I'm not going to go into this. She dropped the mantra a couple times.
MR. SPEZIALI: Because you insist over my objection to take her to areas she's not going to testify about. She is going to testify about the responsibility of the United States Navy, what they published and what they said they were going to do in their specs in respect to your plaintiffs' alleged exposure to equipment made by GE.
MR. KRISTAL: Responsibility. MR. SPEZIALI: About what their declaration, about what they said they were going to do. MR. KRISTAL: But not what their legal responsibility or not was? MR. SPEZIALI: I don't think that's permissible for your experts or mine. MR. KRISTAL: I don't disagree with you.
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
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2 Q. Any kind of dangers.
3 A. Let me finish my answer.
4
MR. SPEZIALI: Go ahead.
2 Q. What is your opinion as to what the 3 United States Navy said it was going to do with 4 respect to asbestos? Do you have an opinion?
5 A. Warn about what? The manufacturer can
5 A. When?
6 warn about its own type of product. What can a
6 Q. At any point in time.
7 manufacturer sit in the abstract and imagine
7 A. Ask me a question, I'll try to answer
8 other kinds of things that may or may not go in
8 it.
9 situations in which they have no control over? 10 One manufacturer, in over 30 years, I've never
9 Q. I just did. 10 A. I don't understand your question.
11 heard of one manufacturer warning about another
11 It's huge.
12 manufacturer's product. I never heard about that
12 Q. At any point in time, do you have an
13 in over 32 years.
13 opinion as to what the United States Navy said
14 Q. Do you know what the legal
14 about what it was going to do about asbestos?
15 responsibility is of an equipment manufacturer
15 A. At any point in time?
16 to warn about the hazards of another
16 Q. Yes.
17 manufacturer's product that it knows is going to
17 A. This is so vague.
18 be utilized with its product?
18 Q. Well, if you say no, then we move on.
19
MR. SPEZJALl: Objection.
19 A. The Navy said a lot of things over
20
MR. KRISTAL: I'm just asking a
20 periods o f time. If you point to certain things,
21 question.
21 I'd be happy to answer.
22
MR. SPEZIALI: No, no. It's
22 Q. My question is, do you have an
23 irrelevant. Number one, she's not here as 24 an expert in law.
23 opinion as to whether or not the Navy said 24 anything about what it was going to do with
25
MR. KRISTAL: You're going to have Ms.
25 regard to asbestos at any point in time? Do you
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nar jpnacrr
3 A. Well, I have various opinions, and,
4 if you ask me different questions about
5 different types of situations over different
6 periods of time I'll give you answers.
7 Q. How about the 1930s?
8 A. How about the 1930s?
9 Q. Yes.
10 A. The question again? Could you frame 11 the question again?
12 Q. Sure.
13
MR. KRISTAL: Dave, I want to make
14 sure this is the subject you're covering.
15 What the Navy said it was going to do about
16 asbestos, is that what you're going to have
17 her testify about?
18 Q. I'm trying to use the words you used.
19 I want to get the information I'm entitled to.
20 Here's the question. Do you have an opinion
21 about what the United States Navy said they were
22 going to do in their specs in respect to the
23 plaintiffs' alleged exposure to equipment made
24 by GE? Do you have an opinion on that subject at
25 any point in time?
Jlv' . i.tev*
Vtv v ki.,
3 control over its premises, its people and what
4 goes on in the Navy.
5 Q. Okay.
6
MR. KRISTAL: Are you going to be
7 asking her that, because a portion of the
8 answer dealt with responsibility to
9 maintain its own premises? If that's not
10 coming out, than I don't need to go into
11 the other. But I want to know if we're
12 going to hear that in court?
13
MR. SPEZIALI: I am going to ask her
14 whether based on her knowledge of the Navy
15 GE had an option of going aboard these
16 ships without their approval? I mean, you
17 know I'm going to get into the Navy, what
18 you can or can't do with respect to the
19 Navy. Whose rules are they? Whose specs are
20 they? I am going to get into that with her.
21
MR. KRISTAL: But not to the Navy's
22 responsibility to maintain their own
23 premises?
24
MR. SPEZIALI: Sure. I'm going to ask
25 her who maintains their ships. Is that what
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 A. I don't understand your question.
Page 251
1 2
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct you mean?
Page 253
3 Q. I'm just rephrasing what Mr.
4 Speziali said was the subject. He said, "She's
5 going to testify about the responsibility of the
6 United States Navy, what they published and what
7 they said they were going to do in their specs
8 in respect to your client's alleged exposure to
9 equipment made by GE."
10
I'm asking you if you have such an
11 opinion?
12 A. Well, it's a very general question,
13 and I'll answer it as best I can. The United
14 States Navy was a highly sophisticated entity.
15 It was a highly sophisticated customer of many
16 places, including General Electric. They had the
17 ability and responsibility to maintain and
18 control their own premises and employees, and
3 Q. When you said"maintain their own 4 premises," you weren't talking about maintenance 5 on the ship?
6 A. I meant control. The Navy controls 7 its premises, the equipment, materials, how they 8 do it, what they do. The Navy is in control, 9 and, I can tell you from having worked for the 10 Navy that the Navy runs its own ships. 11 Q. Did the Navyallow 12 A. So to speak.
13 Q. Did the Navy allow any warnings for 14 any hazardous substances that were authorized at 15 any point in time in the Navy? 16 A. Did the Navy allow? I'd have to look 17 at Navy specs. The Navy did what the Navy wanted 18 to do.
19 they had long-standing knowledge about asbestos 20 and disease. 21 Q. Anything else?
22 A. The United States Navy from my 23 experience maintains a veiy tight control over 24 its own environments. I'm familiar with that 25 having worked for the Navy as a civilian in a
19 Q. My question is, are you aware one way 20 or the other whether the Navy allowed any 21 manufacturer of any kind of product to put any 22 kind of warning about the hazards of that
23 product or the products used with that product? 24 A. I can't tell you if there were labels 25 on boxes or what. All I know is, anything that
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2 goes on a ship or on the harbor is done by spec
2 Navy would or would not have allowed?
3 and approved by the Navy, that nothing gets on
3 A. The Navy would allow what the Navy
4 without their absolute control.
4 would allow. They were the ultimate, they
5 Q. My question to you is whether or not
5 decided what they were going to do. They decided
6 you have an opinion as to whether or not the
6 how it was going to be done. They decided what
7 Navy allowed any manufacturer with respect to
7 would be done, how it would be left and they
8 its products or any other manufacturer's
8 were completely in charge. They were in control
9 products to put a warning about any hazardous
9 over the places, over the people. They were in
10 substance on or with the product?
10 control.
11 A. And, again, I would say that what is
11 Q. Since you don't know whether anyone
12 on or with the product, anything that is
12 asked, I take it you have no opinion as to
13 installed that is part of a ship, that is part
13 whether or not the Navy would or wouldn't have
14 of a Navy installation onshore is done by spec and 14 allowed a warning on asbestos-containing
15 every step of the way is approved by what the
15 products or about asbestos-containing products?
16 Navy will allow.
16 A. I do have an opinion.
17 Q. I'm asking you if you know one way or
17 Q. And what's your opinion?
:
18 the other whether the Navy allowed anyone to
18 A. Well, I have an opinion. You're
19 warn about anyone?
19 talking about warnings in general?
20 A. That's broad.
20 Q. I'm not talking about warnings in
21 Q. I'm asking you the broadest question
21 general now. I'm talking veiy specifically about
22 I can think of on that question. If the answer
22 asbestos.
23 is no, it eliminates a lot of narrower
23 A. I'll tell you something. When you
24 questions.
24 work for the Navy they are veiy much aware of
25 A. I don't know.
25 maintaining their personnel and how things are
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1
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1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 Q. So you don't know. How about with
2 done, and, if somebody were to put on some sort
3 respect to asbestos, do you know if any
3 of you're talking about a warning, what did you
4 manufacturer ever requested of the Navy that
4 say label? What's your word?
5 they be allowed to put a warning on any product
5 Q. Any sort of warning.
6 that contained asbestos or product that was used
6 A. Any sort of warning?
7 with a product that contained asbestos?
8
MR. SPEZLALI: Objection.
7 Q. In a manual, on the product, on a
8 sign on a product, any kind of warning.
f
9 A. You're talking about a manufacturer
9 A. I'm saying that anything that is
i
10 and then you're talking about another type of
10 anywhere is approved by the Navy, but, I can
:
11 thing that's not a manufacturer.
11 tell you that the Navy would not allow any kind
i
12 Q. I'm talking about a company that
12 of sign or anything that might be considered
1
13 manufactures an asbestos-containing product and
13 disruptive, that they would only allow something '
14 a company which manufactures a product on which 14 that would be in accordance with Naval
15 are asbestos-containing products?
15 principles and operations.
;
16 A. What kind of warning?
16 Q. Well, certainly it was in accord
1
17 Q. Any kind of warning about the hazards
17 with --
;
18 of asbestos.
18 A. Somebody couldn't just voluntarily
i
19 A. All I know is that when you deal with
19 say, you know, we're going to just do a sign or
20 the Navy the only thing you can have there is
20 a label. That's not the way it works at the
21 what they allow. So I don't know if anybody
21 United States Navy. Everything is speced out.
22 asked, but I know that we only could do what
22 Everything is done the way the Navy wants it,
;
23 they allowed you to do. 24 Q. And if you don't know if anybody
23 and, it's the Navy way or no way. Ifs the Navy
;
24 who has control of these places.
1
25 asked, I take it then you don't know whether the
25 Q. Certainly it would be in accord with
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1
2 allow something that would be in accordance with
2
3 Naval principles and operations."
3
4
My question is, are you saying that a
4
5 warning about the hazards of asbestos on an
5
Page 264
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct MR. SPEZIALI: What asbestos-containing products?
MR. KRISTAL: Any asbestos-containing product.
6 asbestos-containing product or with a product on 7 which asbestos-containing products were used 8 would not be in accord with Naval principles and 9 operations? 10 A. As I said, everything done for the 11 Navy is done the Navy way. But a warning doesn't 12 tell somebody how to work with something safely. A
6 A. For a period of time GE wire and
7 cable had a warning on it starting around 1972
8 in response to some tests that were done on the
9 wire and cable and also in response to OSHA.
10 Q. Okay. How about otherwise?
11
MR. SPEZIALI: How about otherwise
12 what?
13 warning doesn't convey what the person is 14 supposed to do. Everything depends on various 15 situations. It's the health and safety 16 professionals at the site who are in control of
13
MR. KRISTAL: There was no GE warnings
14 on any piece of equipment on which
15 asbestos-containing products went other
16 than what you just said.
17 the place, in this case the Navy who's 18 responsible.
17
MR. SPEZIALI: Okay.
18 A. Well, a metal product is not an
19
It's inconceivable to expect an
19 asbestos product. I described for you before the
20 outside firm or company to inteiject itself into 21 another employer's workplace, let alone the
20 types of products that GE made that contained 21 asbestos. The wire or cable o f which was sold in
22 United States Navy, and start telling them what
22 1980 did have a warning for a period of time,
23 to do and police their, the other employees. 24 It's not the way the world works. 25 Q. So are you saying that a warning
23 and, then, the other two types of products, 24 textolite and genol, were phased out in 1973 to 25 1972 respectively. So there would be no reason
1
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1
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Page 265
2 about the hazards of asbestos is not in accord
2 to do so.
3 with Naval principles and practices?
3 Q. Was the wire and cable that had the
4
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
4 asbestos warning starting in 1972 sold to the
5 A. I'm saying whatever is in accord with
5 Navy after 1972?
6 Naval principles, what they allow by spec, what 7 they allow on a ship is what they allow. I don't
6
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection. Go ahead.
7 A. No.
8 know how else to answer your question. It's
8 Q. How do you know?
9 naive to assume that somebody from the outside
9 A. It's my understanding that GE stopped
10 can dream up some sort of thing that they think
10 selling cable to the Navy in the mid-fifties.
11 should be done. Things are done in the Navy 12 according to the Navy way. That's the way it is 13 and that's the way it works.
11 Q. And it's your understanding that if
12 GE had put a warning on its wire and cable in 13 the 1950s the Navy would have taken it off?
14 Q. So a warning is in accord with Naval 15 principles and operations or is not in accord?
14
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection. She never
15 said that.
16
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
16 A. I never said that.
1
17 A. Well, ifs, what the Navy says is 18 acceptable in accord is what is done on the Navy
17 Q. The Navy wouldn't have allowed it? 18 A. The Navy would have done what the
19 property, the ship and the shore. The Navy is in
19 Navy wanted to do, and that's the way it is.
20 control. The Navy is in control of the
20 Q. And I'm asking you, if GE had
;
21 workplace, they're in control of the premises, 22 they're in control of the people.
21 requested of the Navy that they wanted to put an 22 asbestos warning on its wire and cable product,
23 Q. Did GE ever place a warning on any of
23 it's your opinion that the Navy would not have
24 its asbestos-containing products or any
24 allowed that?
5
25 equipment on which any equipment went non-Navy? 25
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
;
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Page
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2 A. If we look back in time at their 3 role, there would have been no reason. We know
2
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
3 A. We know there would have been no
4 now there was no reason to put the warning on
4 reason to do so. We know that. There wouldn't
5 the wire and cable ever, but, certainly, back in
5 have been a reason to put the warning on it
6 the 1950s there was no reason to suspect. All
6 ever. But, as I said before, the Navy being in
7 the levels were in appropriate PELs, asbestos
7 control of its environment and specing out
8 was being handled responsibly at the time, and
8 exactly how they want things and how they want
9 there would have been no reason to put the label
9 everything, things have to be done according to
10 on to begin with, but, as I said before,
10 their specs.
11 whatever would be speced out by the Navy and
11 Q. Was there a hazard of asbestos
12 allowed to be on the premises was that which
12 disease from the use of 100 percent asbestos
13 would be ultimately in the Navy.
13 cement at any point in time?
14 Q. And your opinion is that the Navy
14
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection. She's not
15 would not have allowed GE to put a warning on
15 being offered about that. She's not a
16 its wire and cable products in 1950?
16 physician.
17
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection. This isn't a
17 Q. You don't have an opinion on that
18 wire and cable case.
18 question?
19
MR. KRISTAL: I understand.
19
MR. SPEZIALI: She's not being offered
20
MR. SPEZIALI: Why are we talking
20 for that purpose.
21 about wire and cable?
21
MR. KRISTAL: Okay.
22 Q. Go ahead.
22 Q. Do you have an opinion?
23 A. Could you kindly repeat that?
23 A. I really wasn't prepared to deal with
24 Q. I'm not asking you whether a warning
24 that today, so, as I sit here today, I haven't
25 should or shouldn't have been on wire and cable
25 thought about that.
1
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1
_
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
Page 269
2 in the 1950s. I'm asking if it's your opinion if
2 Q. If a manufacturer of raw asbestos
3 GE requested the Navy to put a warning on its
3 fiber was supplying the Navy and wanted to put a
4 asbestos-containing wire and cable your opinion
4 warning on the burlap bags in the 1930s,
5 is the Navy would not have allowed it?
5 forties, fifties, or sixties, are you saying the
6
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
6 Navy wouldn't have allowed that manufacturer to
7 Q. Is that your opinion, yes or no?
7 put a warning about asbestos?
8 A. My answer is what I can give you.
8
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
9 Q. Is your answer yes or no?
9 A. What I can tell you is that whatever
10 A. It's not a yes or no question.
10 got, whatever stayed with that ship would have
11 Q. I'm asking, in your opinion, would
11 only been allowed by Navy spec. So, you know,
12 the Navy have allowed it?
12 whether they brought on the bags and thew them
13 A. It's not a yes or no.
13 off and they didn't stay, I don't know. All I
14 Q. The Navy would have allowed it or
14 know is what stays on that ship is according to
15 wouldn't have allowed it. There's not too many
15 Navy spec and that's the way it is.
16 answers here.
16 Q. My question is whether you have an
17
MR. SPEZIALI: Answer how you feel
17 opinion as to whether a warning would have been
18 appropriate.
18 allowed on a bag of 100 percent asbestos fiber
19 A. I worked for the Navy. They spec out
19 if it was supplied to the Navy at any point in
20 what they want and how they want it, and that's
20 time?
21 what ultimately is used by the Navy.
21
MR. SPEZIALI: Same objection.
22 Q. So you don't know if the Navy would
22 A. I have an opinion as to what would
23 or wouldn't have allowed GE to put a warning on 24 its wire and cable product that contained
23 be, what would stay on that ship and what would 24 be allowed to stay on that ship, and that is
25 asbestos?
25 that which is speced out as far as speced out
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2 bags are concerned.
2 ships. And to think otherwise --
3 Q. How would you know -
3 Q. Do you know what a turbine technical
4 A. I'm not done.
4 manual is?
5
MR. SPEZIALI: Go ahead and finish
5 A. If you're talking about a manual that
6 your answer.
6 may or may not accompany a piece of metal
7 A. I do know that what stays on the ship
7 equipment like a turbine, yes.
8 is that which is according to military spec and
8 Q. Do you know whether or not GE
9 is approved by the Navy.
9 supplied with its turbines technical manuals for
10 Q. If there was on a ship a bag of 100
10 Navy turbines?
11 percent asbestos cement that was used for
11 A. My understanding is that the Navy
12 repairing insulation that was on a turbine and
12 speced out, and, if the Navy requested a manual,
13 the manufacturer of that 100 percent asbestos
13 then GE, you know, they worked it out with the
14 cement in the 1930s, forties, titties or sixties
14 Navy, would supply it. But that was done at the
15 had requested of the Navy that they want to put
15 request of the Navy. It was part of a contract.
IS a warning about asbestos on that bag of 100
16 It was something that they paid for.
17 percent asbestos cement, is it your opinion that
17 Q. I want you to assume that the Navy
18 the Navy would not have allowed that?
18 requested GE to supply technical manuals with
19
MR. SPEZIALI: Same objection.
19 its materials. All right?
20 A. The Navy would allow what they allow 21 by spec. 22 Q. And I'm asking you if a manufacturer
20 A. That's not the case always, but if 21 you want me to assume it for now. 22 Q. Is it sometimes the case?
23 requested to do that would the Navy not have 24 allowed them to do that? 25 A. You're talking about the
23 A. My understanding is it's not, a 24 manual is not always requested from the 25 manufacturer, in this case GE. It depended on
1
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1
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Page 273
2 manufacturer? 3 Q. I'm talking about the manufacturer. 4 A. Of that particular cement?
2 the contract that the Navy had with GE. If they 3 paid extra they got a manual. Whatever they 4 worked out. It was all done by contract.
5 Q. Yes.
5 Q. I want you to assume we're dealing
6 A. That asbestos product?
6 with a contract which the Navy requested a
7 Q. Yes.
7 technical manual for its turbines. Are you with
8 A. I do know what ultimately would be on
8 me so far?
9 that ship would be that which would be allowed
9 A. I am.
i
10 by the Navy. I've said that over and over. I
10 Q. If GE said to the Navy we would like
:
11 don't know how much clearer I can make it.
11 to put in our technical manual a warning about
12 Q. But with respect to the bag of cement 13 that's on the ship to be used for repairs, you 14 don't know whether the Navy would or wouldn't
12 the hazards of asbestos insulation that we know
;
13 about on our turbine, are you saying the Navy
:
14 would not have allowed that?
15 have approved it, the use of the warning at any 16 point in time?
15
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
16 A. When you say "a warning," what kind
17
MR. SPEZIALI: Same objection.
17 of warning are you talking about? A warning
18 A. Well, as regards to the manufacture
18 doesn't tell somebody how to work with something
19 of that asbestos-containing cement product,
19 safely. What is involved in a warning, and,
20 maybe, maybe not. What I said was what stays on 20 rather, what is involved in a health and safety
21 the ship is that which is allowed by the Navy
21 situation is an assessment by a health and
22 because the Navy runs their ships and their
22 safety professional because there are a myriad
23 shore. Because the Navy has certain procedures 24 that have to be followed, the Navy only allows
23 of factors that can be involved. There is no one 24 size fits all safety warning or safety label
25 certain things, and that's what is done on
25 that can be put in a manual on anything that
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Page 276
2 would apply in various situations. In fact, that
2 people who have control of the environment are
3 can be downright dangerous.
3 the ones that can look at a health and safety
4
You can have situations where you're
4 situation in its totality. Nothing can be taken
5 telling somebody the wrong thing because they
5 out of context and just looked at as a single
6 can be working with things that could interact
6 type of item. There are a myriad of factors that
7 and be harmful and cause serious harm to the
7 are involved on ships that can cause serious
8 person. So it's the health and safety
8 harm, and all those need to be addressed.
9 professional people who have control of the
9
MR. KRISTAL: To the extent I need to
10 environment who are the ones who are qualified
10 do it, I move to strike the non-responsive
11 to make determinations and to devise certain
11 portion o f that answer.
12 measures so that people are safe in different
12
Why don't we break with the agreement
13 situations.
13 we need to get a whole host of materials.
14
MR. SPEZIALI: It's five after five.
14
MR. SPEZIALI: I'm going to ask you to
15
MR. KRISTAL: Let me just finish.
15 make a specific request, and I'll tell you
16
MR. SPEZIALI: She has to catch an
16 why. Some I think we're not going to have
17 airplane.
17 any problem. Some I just can't sit here and
18 Q. If GE had requested of the Navy that
18 agree to.
19 they want to put information in their technical 20 manual that the use of asbestos-containing
19
MR. KRISTAL: It will be reflected in
20 the transcript.
21 insulation on their turbines may cause disease,
21
MR. SPEZIALI: Let me know.
22 are you saying that the Navy would not have
22
MR. KRISTAL: When you get your copy
23 allowed that?
24
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
25 A. That the use of their turbines may
23 it will list the request and the page.
24
MR. SPEZIALI: I'm probably not going
25 to agree to all of them.
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1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 cause asbestos?
2
MR. KRISTAL: That's fine. You will
3 Q. Listen to my question. You missed my
3 have the universe of what I requested
4 question. GE wanted to put information in the
4 through the transcript.
5 technical manual that the use of
5
MR. SPEZIALI: For purposes of teeing
6 asbestos-containing insulation on its turbine
6 up a motion we can go that route. That's
7 could pose a hazardous disease. Are you saying
7 fine.
8 that the Navy would not have allowed GE to do
8 Q. Thank you. I hope it wasn't as
9 that?
9 horrible as it could have been.
10
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
10 A. Veiy nice to meet you.
11 A. I never heard of one manufacturer
11
(Deposition Concluded.
12 warn of another manufacturer.
12
Time Noted: 5:10 p.m.)
13 Q. I'm not asking if you've heard of
13
14 that.
14
15 A. GE wouldn't be privy to all the ins
15
16 and outs. It's absurd.
16
17 Q. I'm asking if the Navy would or would
17
18 not have allowed that, in your opinion?
18
19
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
19
20 A. Maybe, maybe not.
20
21 Q. Okay.
21
22 A. What I can say is that I have never
22
23 seen one manufacturer warn about another
23
24 manufacturer's product. That may or may not, as
24
25 I said, the health and safety professionals
25
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2
3
4
5 C E R T I F I C A T I O N OF WI T N E S S 6
7 I have read the foregoing transcript of my
8 deposition and find it to be true and
9 accurate to the best of my knowledge and
10 belief.
11
12
13
MARJORIE A. DRUCKER
14
15
16 Sworn and subscribed to before me on this
17 ________day o f__________________ , 2004 18 __ ______________________________ _
19
Notary Public
20 My Commission Expires_________________ _
21
22
23
24
25
Page 279
1
2
CERTIFICATE
3
4 STATE OF NEW YORK )
5 COUNTY OF NEW YORK )
6
7 I, ELEANOR SEKULIC, a Notary Public of the
8 State of New York, do hereby certify that the
9 foregoing deposition of MARJORIE A. DRUCKER was
10 taken before me on June 3,2004.
11 The said witness was duly sworn before the
12 commencement of her testimony, the said
13 testimony was taken stenographically by myself
14 and then transcribed. The within transcript is a
15 true record of the said deposition.
16 I am not connected by blood or marriage
17 with any of the said parties, nor interested
18 directly or indirectly in the matter in
19 controversy, nor am I in the employ of any of
20 the Counsel.
21
22
Dated:___________________
23
24
___________________________
25
ELEANOR SEKULIC
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
71 (Pages 278 to 279)