Document baodzrGJejoO5Mb0ZoEB1DMEg
FILE NAME: General Electric (GE) DATE: 2004 DOC#: GE090 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Legal - Deposition of Marjorie Drucker Vol I
Page 1 1
2 SUPREME COURT: ALL COUNTIES
3 WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK
4
5 IN RE: NEW YORK STATE
6
ASBESTOS LITIGATION
7
8
DEPOSITION UNDER
9
ORAL EXAMINATION
10
OF
11
MARJORIE A. DRUCKER
12
13
14 This Document Applies To:
15 FRANK CAMPA -
Index No.: 109449/03
16 ALEX RENOW -
Index No.: 106444/03
17 RONALD SPINELLI Index No.: 109214/03
18 MARVIN ZATZ -
Index No.: 103644/03
19
20
21
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING SERVICES, INC.
22
899 Manor Road
23
Staten Island, NY 10314
24
(718) 983-1234
25
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
I 1
Page 2
2
! 3
4
Transcript o f 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 o f 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
INDEX TO WITNESSES:
WITNESS:
EXAMINATION: PAGE:
Marjorie 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
15 5/2
12 List
181/16
GE's Answers to Interrogatories 185/4
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Page 4
1
32
APPEARANCES:
WEITZ f t LUXENBERG, PC
180 Mniden Lane, 17th Floor
4 New York, New York 10038
5 By: JERRY KRISTAL, ESQ. Attorneys for the Plaintiffs 6 SPEZIALI, GREENWALD ft HAWKINS
1081 Winslow Road, Box 1086
7 WUlianutown, New Jersey 08094
By. DAVID SPEZIALI
S Attorney for the Defendant General Electric
9 SIDLEY, AUSTIN, BROWN & WOOD, LLP
Bank One Plaza
10 10 S. Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60603
11 By: TIMOTHY E. KAPSHANDY, ESQ
Attorneys for the Defendant General Electric
12
MALABY, CARLISLE & BRADLEY, LLC
13 ISO Broadway
New York, New York 10038
14 By. MICHELLE DULUC, ESQ.
Attorneys for the Defendants
K15 Viacom, Weil-McLain and Warren Pumps FLEMMING, ZULACK f t WILLIAMSON, ESQS.
One Liberty Plaza
17 New York, New York
B y SCOTT EMERY, ESQ.
18 Attorneys for the Defendant Goodyear
19 ANDERSON, KILL f t OL1CK, PC
1251 Avenue o f the Americas
20 N ew York, N ew York 10020
By: GARY CASIMIR, ESQ.
21 Attorneys for the Defendants Amchem and Union Carbide
22
PEHLIVANJAN f t BRAATEN, LLC
23 Paynters Ridge Office Park 2430 Route 34
24 Manasquan, New Jersey 07836
B y CLAUDIA SOLIS, ESQ., O f Counsel
25 Attorneys for the Defendant Dresser-Rand
Page 3
Page 5
1
2
3
4
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
1 0 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 of the
14 Court;
15
That this Examination Before Trial may be
16 utilized for ail 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.
22
23 24
25
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
2 (Pages 2 to 5)
Page 6
Page 8 :
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 M A R J O R I E A. D R U C K E R , having been
2 that case in it?
3 first duly sworn according to law by die Court
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 o f my practice, yes, I keep
8
Q. Good morning, Ms. Drucker. How are
8 track o f my time and I maintain records for
9 you?
9 billing purposes.
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 o f different
15
Q. Okay. When were you first contacted
16 companies. I assume you understand that?
16 by GE in terms o f whether o r not you want to be
17 A. Yes.
17 engaged as a legal consultant with respect to
18
Q. Let me take care o f some
18 the subject matters that you're going to be
19 housekeeping. I'm marking as Drucker 1 the May
19 testifying to in these cases, when were you
2 0 19th, 2004 disclosure o f Ms. Drucker as a
20 generally first approached?
21 witness.
21
A. Toward die latter part o f September
22
(Whereupon, Two-Page Letter 5/19/01
22 o f last year I was contacted by Mr. Kapshandy
23 is m arked Plaintiffs Drucker Exhibit 1 For
23 and spoke to him in general about similar issues
24 Identification.)
24 in regard to cases such as these.
25
Q. Ms. Drucker, have you seen that
25
Q. Do you have a file? I'm sorry.
Page 7
Page 9 :
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker -D irect
2 before?
2
A. Excuse me. In matters related to
3
(Whereupon, the witness peruses the
3 asbestos.
4 document.)
4
Q. And who was the defendant, GE?
5
A. Yes, I have.
5
A. Yes, that's what was my
6
Q. Okay. When was the first time you saw
6 understanding, that these matters would be
7 that, or a copy of that?
8
A. I recall seeing a copy o f this about
7 related to GE.
8
Q. Okay. And what was your understanding
9 two weeks ago.
9 as to what you were being asked to do or take
10
Q. Okay. When were you first contacted
10 part in back in September o f 2003 when you were
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. N o, I don't.
18
Q. Do you maintain any kind o f file when
19 you do legal consulting for a particular case?
20
A. What do you mean by "any kind o f
11 first contacted?
12
A. In general, I was asked to look into
13 historical aspects o f 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 file"?
22
Q. Well, when you're contacted and you
21 certain aspects o f the broad aspect of work that 22 I did I have created some types o f records, but
23 agree to consult on a legal matter, do you have 24 a folder, a manila folder, or redwell, some kind 25 o f system in which you keep information about
23 I don't know what you mean by the broad term
24 "file."
25
Q. Fair enough.
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
3 (Pages 6 to 9)
Page 10
Page 12 ;
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
A. I have created certain records.
2
confused. 1thought 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
10 what the scope o f the project was, and I think
11 standard rate.
11 my notes are accurate. You said the historical
12
Q. Okay. And that is?
12 aspects o f industrial hygiene, state-of-the-art
13
A. M y standard rate is $250 an hour for
13 matters and asbestos with respect to GE. Is that
14 preparation, $300 for testimony.
14 the scope of the project in terms o f GE that you
15
Q. Have you given any testimony
15 were asked about?
16 previously with respect to the subject matters
16
A. Well, those are certain aspects of
17 that GE had asked you to look into, the
17 the project. In general, I was asked to look at
18 historical aspects o f industrial hygiene,
18 G E and non-GE documents to determine their
19 state-of-the-art matters and asbestos with
19 knowledge o f the hazards o f asbestos.
20 respect to GE?
20
Q. What is your understanding o f the
21
A. W ith regard to this specific project
21 scope o f the project that GE asked you to look
2 2 since September o f '03, no.
2 2 into, the entire scope since September '03?
23
Q. Have you ever testified about those
23
A. The entire scope was to look at GE
24 subjects before?
24 and non-GE documents to determine, to address
25
A. Could you read them back, please?
25 GE's knowledge of the hazards of asbestos.
Page 11
1
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 o f 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 ju st 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. KR1STAL: No, 1 wasn't asking as
23
toG E .
24
MR. SPEZIALI: I thought you said that
25
at the end o f your sentence. Maybe I'm
Page 13
1
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 o f the project
11 was?
12
A. In general, that's the scope. If you
13 ask me questions, I can answ er 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 o f 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 o f asbestos hazards. Did
25 you say that?
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
4 (Pages 10 to 13)
Page 14
Page 16 f
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
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 o f 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 o f time, and, at
8
A. Can I finish my answer, please?
8 various periods o f time there were different
9
Q. I want you to answer the question.
9 states o f knowledge with regard to the
10 The question is, was it your understanding that
10 recognition, evaluation and control o f various
11 the project included anything else?
11 types o f 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 o f tim e, but, in general, I'd say that
14
A. Yes.
15 w as a general scope o f 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 o f asbestos dust could be hazardous
21 address GE's knowledge o f asbestos hazards?
21 and could cause the fibrosis inducing condition
22
A. I would say in general the project
2 2 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 o f that has not been within that scope o f what
25 potentially permanently disabling in the 1930s?
5
Page 15
Page 17 '
1
M aijorieA.Drucker -Direct
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 you've been asked to do to date, not what you
2
A. When you say "it was recognized"?
3 may be asked to do at some point in the future?
3
Q. Was the fact that asbestosis could
4
A. The best way I can answer is to say
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 7
A. I would say that in general in the
8 knowledge of asbestos hazards?
8 1930s it was known by the medical and scientific
9
A. That subject being GE's knowledge?
9 community that high levels o f asbestos dust
10
Q. Yes.
10 could cause the fibrosis condition asbestosis.
11
A. No, I have not testified on scope, as
11
Q. Okay. Tell me what your understanding
12 I stated, on this GE project.
12 is o f what was known about asbestosis in the
13
Q. Okay. Have you ever testified about
13 1930s by the medical and scientific community?
14 historical aspects o f industrial hygiene
14
A. The medical and scientific community
15 generally?
15 would have been aware in the 1930s that high
16
A. Yes.
16 levels o f asbestos dust could cause a condition,
17
Q. When was the first such time you did
17 in this case, asbestosis.
18 that?
18
Q. And what did that community know in
19
A. If I recall, that would go back to
19 the 1930s as to what asbestosis was?
20 the early to mid-1980s.
20
A. I think in general the medical and
21
Q. And was the testimony with respect to
21 scientific literature would have been aware that
22 asbestos?
22 high levels of asbestos could cause asbestosis,
23
A. I'm going to correct that. I would
24 say the early to mid-1990s.
23 which is a fibrotic lung condition and which can 24 lead to a disabling condition and ultimately
25
Q. Okay.
25 possibly death.
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
5 (Pages 14 to 17)
Page 18
Page 20 5
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
Q. Okay. When you say "high levels,"
2 dust.
3 what do you mean?
3
Q. Were you done?
4
A. Well, it depends on what time period
4
A. Yes.
5 that we're looking at.
5
Q. And, therefore, five million
6
Q. Fair enough. You mentioned high
6 particles per cubic foot means total dust?
7 levels in the context o f the 1930s, right?
7
MR. SPEZIALI: You're talking about
8
A. Yes.
8
Dreesen, aren't you?
9
Q. What do you mean?
9
MR. KRISTAL: Yes.
10
A. Going back to the 1930s, I'd say by
10
A. Well, with regard to Dreesen, that
11 the late 1930s, such as for this study that was
11 would have been dust, total dust containing
12 done by Dreesen, it was thought that high levels
12 asbestos.
13 o f asbestos dust, meaning those levels in excess
13
Q. Okay. So if you take your impinger
14 o f five million particles per cubic foot could
14 and you collect --
15 possibly lead to asbestosis.
15
A. They did some break-outs, I should
16
Q. Five million particles per cubic foot
16 say, about asbestos.
17 o f what?
17
Q. I'm ju st trying to find out when you
18
A. Well, again, going back to the
18 use the term five million particles per cubic
19 Dreesen study, the level that they concluded
19 foot o f asbestos dust if you're talking about
2 0 that was file safe level was five million
20 five million asbestos fibers or five million
21 particles per cubic foot o f asbestos dust.
21 particles o f total dust in the sample or
22
Q. And what do you mean by "asbestos
22 something else?
23 dust"?
23
A. According to Dreesen, it would have
24
A. By "asbestos dust," 1mean dust that
24 been five million particles o f total dust in
25 is asbestos.
25 that type o f a sample, meaning by the
Page 19
1
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 o f 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
2 0 dust, what did it mean at that time frame?
21
A. With regard to the Dreesen study in
2 2 '38, they were studying textile mills, and, the
23 textile mill had extremely high concentrations
24 o f asbestos in the dust and they used an
25 impingement method which didn't measure total
* "ST
Page 21
1
Maijorie 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. W hen 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)
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
Page 22
Page 24 ;
1
M arjorieA.Drucker -Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker -D irect
2 asbestosis.
2 any other industry that asbestos exposure could
3
Q. So that's the first date by which it
3 cause disease in die 1930s, or, are you saying
\
4 was known in the medical and scientific
4 it was limited exclusively to the textile
5 community that asbestos could cause any kind o f
5 industry?
6 disease?
6
A. I'm here to talk in general about the
7
A. In which it was known, "it" what?
7 United States Navy and asbestos, and, as far as
8
Q. The fact that asbestos could cause
8 the other industries, that's not really in
9 disease.
9 general what I was prepared to discuss.
1
10
A. Well, as I said, you asked before
10
Q. You have to understand something
j
11 when it was first known, and there were some
11 because I'm not trying to give you a hard time.
12 cases reported in the early 1900s from high
12 I'm coming in here in my opinion relatively
|
13 levels o f exposure to asbestos that indicated
13 blind because I don't have a report from you
f
14 that asbestos, that asbestosis may occur.
14 saying what your opinions are. I have some very
15
Q. So that's when it was first known
15 broad statements included in Exhibit 1. So when
16 that asbestos could cause disease, early 1900s?
16 you say you m ay be testifying about the
17 A. Well, I think that there was some
17 historical aspects o f industrial hygiene, I'm
18 case reports.
18 asking these questions. I'm not trying to give
19
Q. That's what I'm trying -
19 you a hard time. I'm ju st trying to find out
20
A. I don't think in general it was
20 what you may testify.
21 entirely known until certain studies were
21
MR. KRISTAL: Dave, is that accurate
22 performed.
22
in terms o f the scope o f the testimony?
?
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
Page 23
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
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 o f asbestos exposure could cause
10
11 asbestosis?
11
12
A. By the late 1930s it was known that
12
13 high levels o f 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 o f asbestos in
21
22 textile mills were thought to cause asbestosis,
22
23 and, again, I'm talking about levels in excess
23
24 o f five million particles per cubic foot.
24
25
Q. And I'm asking you, was it known in
25
i
Page 25 \
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
Plaintiffs' theory of the case.
MR. KRISTAL: I just want to know -
MR. SPEZIALI: She will address that
j
issue o f 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 o f 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.
M R. SPEZIALI: I've got Tom Howard.
He'll do the other problem. Tm not looking
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
7 (Pages 22 to 25)
Page 26
Page 28 ]|
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
to bring every witness in and repeat the
2 that high levels o f asbestos exposure to cause
3
history o f state-of-the-art literature.
3 asbestosis?
4
Q. When was it first known by the United
4
A. I'd have to refer to a document list.
5 States Navy, in your opinion, that asbestos
5
Q. Okay.
6 could cause asbestos disease o f any kind?
6
MR. KRISTAL: Do you have that?
7
A. I would say in 1922 the US Navy knew
7
MR. SPEZIALI: Tim, do you have the
8 that high levels o f asbestos could cause
8
exhibit list?
9 asbestos-related disease, asbestosis.
9
MR. KAPSHANDY: I may have it on my
10
Q. And what is the basis o f that
10
computer. We don't have a hard copy here. I
11 opinion?
11
may be able to find it. It was among the
12
A. The basis o f that opinion is some
12
materials that she reviewed. We didn't
13 studies in the literature that I reviewed over
13
bring hard copies.
14 time, and, also, that in 1922 the Navy sent some
14
MR. SPEZIALI: It's on the CD.
15 people to the Harvard School o f Public Health
15
MR. KRISTAL: I'm not understanding.
16 for training.
16
Is there a list that I can show the witness
17
Q. With respect to asbestos?
17
now from which she can tell me what she's
18
A. With respect to general occupational
18
relying on the 1922 article?
19 medicine, and, it would have been further things
19
MR. KAPSHANDY: I gave it to you
20 such as non-asbestos.
20
before the deposition.
21
Q. Okay. Tell me the studies and
21
MR. KRISTAL: That's Power Point.
2 2 literature upon which you're basing your opinion
22
MR. KAPSHANDY: There's an extensive
23 that in 1922 the US Navy knew high levels o f
23
list.
24 asbestos exposure to cause asbestosis?
24
MR. SPEZIALI: Is it on the CD?
25
A. Some o f the studies include an article
25
MR. KAPSHANDY: No. That's just the
Page 27
Page 29 ;
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 by Brown.
3
Q. Anything else?
4
A. I've reviewed many m aterials 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 o f 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 o f asbestos exposure
13 could cause asbestosis?
14 A. In several o f the documents that I
15 reviewed the history o f industrial hygiene and
16 occupational medicine in the Navy had been
17 discussed, and, I would have to refer to a list
18 o f documents, but that was the date that it's my
19 understanding that the Navy sent people to the
2 0 Harvard School o f Public Health for training,
21 which would include their study o f asbestos.
22
Q. Okay. W hat documents are you talking
23 about that had that history o f industrial
24 hygiene in the N avy 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 o f asbestos?
17
MR. SPEZIALI: Can I ask, you mean as
18
of 1922 or any time?
19
MR. KRISTAL: Any time o f the US Navy
20
and knowledge o f 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
* 'SUE
8 (Pages 26 to 29)
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
Page 30
Page 32 ;!
1
Marjorie A. Drucker -Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker -D irect
]
2 1922 they were aware o f the hazards o f 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 '0 3 1 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. 1 had worked
7 article.
8 with the Navy.
8
Q. How about answering it incompletely?
9
Q. When was the first time you read the
9
A. I don't think I should do that.
10 Captain Brown article?
10
Q. Okay. So you need the article to
11
A. Over the course o f my career I've
11 answer the question?
12 read hundreds o f articles regarding asbestos,
12
A. I would like to refer to the article
i
13 and I m ay have seen the Brown article in the
13 to answer your question completely.
14 past. I do recently recall having seen it within
14
Q. W ell, how about incompletely? Til
15 the past several months since September.
15 take any portion o f an answer without looking at
16
Q. Okay. W hat leads you to say in the
16 the article.
"t
17 Brown article that Brown was talking about high
17 A. I think you want my best testimony
18 levels o f asbestos exposure?
18 so...
19
A. I don't think that's what I said
19 Q. I want anything, anything that you
20 before. We were talking about --
2 0 can recall from the Brown article that talks
21
Q. If you didn't say that before, is it
21 about high levels o f asbestos exposure as
2 2 your belief that in 1922 the US Navy knew that
2 2 opposed to any other level of asbestos exposure?
23 asbestos exposure to cause asbestosis?
23
A. To answer your question I would like
24
A. Yes, I said before that in 1922 the
24 to look at the article.
\
25 US Navy w ould be aware that high levels o f
25
Q. Fair enough. Brown was not talking
;
Page 31
Page 33 ?
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker -Direct
2 asbestos exposure could cause asbestosis.
2 about textiles; is that fair to say?
3
Q. And you said one o f the bases o f that
3
A. Again, I would like to look at the
4 opinion was the Brown article?
4 article.
5
A. Yes, I said that in general some of
5
Q. Okay. Was Brown talking about the
6 the history o f the Navy and the Navy's program
6 textile industry?
7 was included in the Brown article and that there
7
A. I would like to look at the article.
8 are other articles that I would have to refer to
8
Q. Do you have any idea what asbestos
9 a list for.
9 products Brown was talking about that could lead
10
Q. And Pm asking you what in the Brown
10 to asbestosis?
11 article itself leads you to believe that the
11
A. To answer your question I would refer
12 Navy was talking about the high levels of
12 to the article.
13 asbestos exposure as opposed to other levels o f
13
Q. Okay. Are there any other studies at
14 asbestos exposure causing asbestosis?
14 the time, meaning 1922, o r any other articles at
15
A. I would have to look at the article.
15 the time, meaning 1922, upon which you're basing
16
Q. Do you have the article?
16 your opinion about the U S Navy's knowledge in
17
A. No, not with me.
17 1922, as opposed to some book chapter or article
18
Q. We'll have to continue this on some
18 or review by the Navy written years later
19 other day, I imagine.
19 looking back? Do you understand what I'm asking?
20
As you sit here today, you are unable
20
A. No.
21 to tell me what it is in the Brown article that
21
Q. Okay. I'm trying to find out if
2 2 leads you to believe that Brown was talking
2 2 there's anything contemporaneous with the 1920s
23 about high levels o f asbestos exposure causing
23 other than the Brown article on which you're
24 asbestosis?
24 relying for your opinion that the Navy knew in
25
A. To answer your question I refer to
25 1922 that asbestos could cause asbestosis?
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
9 (Pages 30 to 33)
Page 34
Page 36
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
A. Yes, as I said before, there were
2 articles for background in context o f which I
3 several articles, and, for that, I'd have to 4 look at the master list and cite them for you.
3 had reviewed over the course o f my career, and, 4 many o f which I actually had in my own library.
5
Q . Okay. So and I'm not talking about
5
Q. What did you do to research the issue
6 articles that are looking back, Tm talking
6 o f when the Navy first knew about the hazards of
7 about in the 1920s. Do you understand that?
7 asbestos? Did you go on-line? Did you go to the
8
A. Ido.
8 library? Did you go to some archive somewhere?
;
9
Q. Okay. Do you know the authors of
9 Did you ask somebody to do any o f those things?
10 these other articles from the 1920s that you're
10 Did you get articles from the lawyers? I want to
11 basing your opinion in part on that the US Navy
1 know what you did.
12 knew in the 1920s that asbestos exposure could
12
A. Your question again, please?
13 cause asbestosis?
13
Q. When you were looking at the Navy's
14
A. I've seen some correspondence by
14 historical knowledge about the hazards o f
15 Philip Drinker from back in the 1920s, 1930s
15 asbestos, how did you go about doing that?
16 with respect to some work that he had done with
16
A. Throughout the course o f my career,
17 the Navy, but, in general, I'd like to say that
17 throughout my career and training, I have had
18 I would prefer to look at the list and then cite
8 years o f training with regards to asbestos, and,
19 specifics for you.
19 a lot o f the information that I had over the
20
Q. Who generated this list that you're
20 years I had seen from the Navy. When I was a
21 talking about, whose list is it?
21 student at the Harvard School o f Public Health,
22
A. There have been documents that I
22 one o f the authors o f the Fisher Drinker article
23 reviewed over tim e with regard to this project,
23 was one o f my professors. I worked for the Navy
24 and, the generation o f the list is actually from
24 and I'm familiar with their long history of
25 many sources, including myself. There were
25 health and safety, and, certainly with regard to
Page 35
1
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 o f 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
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 o f articles that w ent
17 into this list that Sidley typed up into a list?
18
A. I'd say in general after September o f
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
24 articles?
25
A. Yes. The Sidley firm provided various
Page 37 ;
1
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
j
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. W ell, 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 o f these issues. 16 Q. Tm not asking you about the late
17 sixties or your knowledge o f the issues 18 pre-September '0 3 .1ju st want to know what 19 you've done since September '03. And if you're 2 0 saying you did nothing other than what you
21 previously knew, that's fine too?
22
A. Since September '0 3 ,1had the
23 opportunity to review various articles and
24 studies, and those would have included those
25 relating to the Navy.
10 (Pages 34 to 37)
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
Page 38
Page 40 i
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
M aijorieA.Drucker -Direct
2
Q. Where did you get the articles and
2 you tell me the title? Can you tell me anything
f
3 studies that related to the Navy since September
3 about the articles in terms o f where they were
4 '03?
4 published, when they were published, who
5
A. Some o f the articles that I reviewed
5 published them?
5
6 were provided to me by the Sidley firm and some
6
A. I recall one o f the articles stating
l
7 o f the, as I said, I provided articles, as well.
7 that. It was a retrospective o f the rich history
8 I also have sought some correspondence at
8 o f 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
i
11 o f 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 o f
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
17 Navy's knowledge o f the high risk o f asbestos?
18 School o f Public Health, and, as I recall, I
18 Are they in this GE stuff? And by that for the
19 talked to a form er corporate industrial
19 record there are hard copies o f some
20 hygienist from GE who had also been in the Navy
2 0 correspondence from the 1920s regarding Alice
21 who related to me certain, that officers and
21 Hamilton and also there's a CD Rom with a number {
22 people from the Navy had gone to the Harvard
2 2 o f different items on it. I'm assuming most o f
23 School o f Public Health.
23 them are correspondence. Is it in that group, or
24
Q. I'm talking specifically about
24 are you talking about some other correspondence?
25 starting in 1922, and you're saying somebody
25
A. I'd have to check. I'd have to check.
Page 39
Page 41
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
'
2 who's a former GE industrial hygienist told you
2
Q. What list?
3 that?
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 o f
7 1920s and thirties about the Navy's knowledge of
8 your opinion were studies and literature and
8 the hazards o f asbestos, did you not?
9 your knowledge that the Navy had sent industrial
9
A. Yes.
j
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 o f the
13
Q. Okay. I'm trying to find out the
13 correspondence in this, some o f 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 o f 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 o f Harvard served as a consultant in the
21 to a list o f that.
21 United States Navy for a period o f 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 o f your opinion?
23
Q. And what period o f 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
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
11 (Pages 38 to 41)
Page 42
Page 44
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
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 ju st want the Betts
'
7 that the Navy knew in 1922 that asbestos could
7
exhibits.
8 cause asbestosis on D rinker correspondence in 9 the 1920s?
8
MR. KRISTAL: Please don't prompt the
9
witness. Okay?
10
A. What I said before was that I was
10
Q. I'm talking about Drinker
11 basing that the N avy knew in 1922 about asbestos
11 correspondence from the 1920s. Is there anything
12 on several articles, and I would have to refer
12 that you're aware o f that Drinker wrote in
13 to the list to give you those.
13 correspondence that relates to the Navy's
14 Q. N ot D rinker correspondence?
14 knowledge o f the hazards o f asbestos?
15 A. W hen you're using the term
15
A. I'd have to refer to the document.
16 "correspondence" I don't know if you're
16
Q. Okay. The Brown article with respect
17 referring to letters. I'd say that I would have
17 to asbestosis was talking about insulation, was
18 to refer.
18 it not?
19 Q. Let me make it clear before you
19
MR. SPEZIALI: I'm going to object. We
2 0 answer. By "articles," I'm talking about
20
have the Brown article here. She's asked to
21 something that's been published somewhere.
21
refer to the Brown article. So if you want
22 Correspondence unless they're published
22
to ask more questions about it, let's refer
23 contemporaneously is not an article or a
23
to the article.
24 published document.
24
Q. Let me ask the question. Can you
25
You mentioned Drinker correspondence
25 answer that question as to whether Brown was
Page 43
1
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 o f 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. SPEZIALI: 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.
Page 45 ;
1
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.
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
12 (Pages 42 to 45)
Page 46
Page 48 |
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker -D irect
J
2
I f it's acceptable, she's asked to look at
2 Foundation, any industry?
3
it but you don't seem to want her to.
3
A. No.
4
MR. KRISTAL: Just for the record we
4
Q. So you can see from reading the
5
have a laptop that Ms. Drucker is
5 article that it was presented at a conference,
6
reviewing. I'm assuming, because I can't
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.
9 Annual Meeting 1940.
10
MR. KRISTAL: I trust you that it's
10
Q. 1940. Okay. What's that got to do
:!
11
the Brown article.
11 with 1922?
12
(Whereupon, the witness peruses
12
A. Well, as I recall, before you asked
13 information on the computer.)
13 me about in general what kinds o f things was I
14 A. Thank you.
14 familiar with about the Navy's program in
15 Q. W as the Brown article published
15 industrial hygiene occupational medicine, and I
16 anywhere? Just for the record you read finished
16 had mentioned this as one article that I recall.
17 reading the Brow n article?
17 Q. Okay. Well, the record will speak for
i
18 A. I looked at the Brown article, and
18 itself
19 the Brown article it appears, I don't know if it
19
Are you or are you not relying on
20 was published. According to this, it was
2 0 this Brown speech for your belief that in 1922
21 presented at the Fifth Annual Meeting o f the Air
21 the US Navy knew about the hazards o f asbestos?
22 Hygiene Foundation o f America in Pittsburgh
22
A. From the information provided in the
23 November 12th, 1940.
23 article ifs an indication o f rich history o f
24
Q. Do you know what that foundation is,
24 occupation medicine industrial hygiene in the
*
25 A ir Hygiene Foundation o f America?
25 Navy. W hether it specifically addresses the 1922
Page 47
Page 49 ;
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
A. In terms o f what?
2 data Td have to read it in its entirety, but
3
Q. In term s o f anything.
3 there are other articles I would have to refer
4
A. As I recall, when I was a student at
4 to to give you that date o f 1922.
S
5 Harvard, I had heard of the Air Hygiene
5
Q. Okay. Why don't you read the Brown
6 Foundation.
6 article? Have you ever read the Brown article in
;
7
Q. Okay. Anything else? I asked you what
7 its entirety?
8 the Air Hygiene Foundation is, if you know, and
8
A. Yes.
9 you said you heard o f it when you were a
9
Q. Okay. If you need to read the article
?
10 student. That's not my question. Do you know
10 in its entirety to tell me if it relates to 1922
11 w hat the A ir Hygiene Foundation is?
11 or not, go ahead.
12
A. As I said, as a student at Harvard, 1
12
(Whereupon, the witness peruses the
13 was fam iliar that there was an Air Hygiene
13 computer.)
14 Foundation.
14 Q. Have you had a chance to read the
15
Q. Okay. From your familiarity when you
15 whole Brown article?
16 were at Harvard with the Air Hygiene Foundation,
17 w hat was the A ir Hygiene Foundation?
18
A. M y 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
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 heard of the A ir Hygiene Foundation.
21
A. Yes, I'll try.
22
Q. Okay. Do you know when it was formed?
22
Q. Tell me what in it relates to 1922
23
A. No.
24
Q. Do you know whether or not members o f
23 and the US Navy knowledge in 1922?
24
A. In looking at the article I don't see
25 industry were part o f the Air Hygiene
25 the date 1922 mentioned. I believe I mentioned
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
13 (Pages 46 to 49)
Page 50
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 before that it was part o f 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 o f it I wouldn't
11 exclude that. 1 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 o f asbestos in 1912.
22
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection. She never
23
said that.
24
Q. You can answer the question.
25
A. You asked me before from what date
Page 52 ?
1
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 o f
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 o f that
24 from the Brown article?
25
A. Well, there are some things mentioned
Page 51
1
Maijorie 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 1940.1 never mentioned
5 the date 1912.
6
Q. Right. And m y 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 o f th e program, including that
17 related to asbestos.
18
Q. Tell me what you're relating to the
19 long-standing rich knowledge o f asbestos about
20 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 lo n g -sta n d in g rich
24 program about the knowledge o f asbestos, right?
25
A. And occupation medicine industrial
Page 53 `
1
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 o f this I see that
9 there was a lot o f knowledge already accumulated
10 by 1940 when this paper was presented and that
11 they certainly appear to be fairly well aware o f
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 w as 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
19 Brown article?
20
A. That's not what you asked me before.
21 What you asked me was how, well, what I answered
2 2 was that it's apparent to me that by 1940 they
23 had a rich program with a lot o f aspects that
24 were sophisticated for the time. I said that
25 other articles, article or articles had brought
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
14 (Pages 50 to 53)
Page 54
Page 56 !i
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 to m y attention the date 1922.
2
it could be faxed. Fm trying to take a
3
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 o f the hazards o f asbestos as
5
needs something to look at to answer a
6 opposed to 1932 or 1912?
6
question, it seems logical we ought to have
7
A. My reading o f it right now on screen,
7
what she needs. Can somebody request file
8 I don't see anything specifically relating to
8
list be faxed?
9 1922.1 don't exclude it. I see it as meshing
9
MR. SPEZIALI: Obviously we're going
10 with other articles that describe the Navy's
10
to be bogged down with this list. Let me
11 industrial hygiene and medical program going
11
see if w e can get the list. If we can't, we
12 back in time to 1922.
12
should look for another date. Most o f the
13
Q. Can you give me the name o f any
13
answers are going to center around this
14 article or anything that you're relying on for
14
list. Let me make a quick call.
15 your opinion that the Navy knew that asbestos
15
MR. KRISTAL: Can we move while you do
16 caused asbestosis in 1922?
16 that? D o you want m e to wait?
17
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection. Asked and
17
MR. SPEZIALI: A sk some things around
18 answered. W e have the list. I f 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
20
list.
2 0 whether it was published or not other than it
21
MR. KRISTAL: O f course. I'm not
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
W ell, get tiie list out. Tm trying to move
23
Q. Okay. Brown refers to
24 this along. It's not a memory test.
24 asbestos-containing insulation, correct?
25
MR. SPEZIALI: Do we have the list?
25
A. It's listed in there and I just
Page 55
Page 57 J
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
MR. KAPSHANDY: Many o f them are on
2 looked at it, and I would read you the list and
;
3
the Betts list, as well as the exhibit
3 not refer to my memory. So I could read it to
i
4
list, so we can refer to the GE exhibit
4 you if w e can go back to it.
5
list and I can give you an exhibit number.
5
MR. KAPSHANDY: Is that it?
6
MR. KRISTAL: W hat I'd like to do is
6
THE WITNESS: It's on Page 11 and 12.
7
refer to whatever list Ms. Drucker is
7
Q. Are you talking about the chart?
8
talking about because I don't know what
8
A. And there's a descriptor, too.
9
list you're talking about.
9
(Whereupon, the witness peruses the
10
MR. KAPSHANDY: I told you before on
10 computer.)
11
the record it is the list o f Betts'
11
A. O n Page 11 o f this article under
12
exhibits that are attached, many o f which
12 "Dust Diseases" asbestosis is listed as "For
13 are on the exhibit list, both o f which have
13 makers o f pipe insulating covers." And on Page
14 been given to you.
14 12 it says, "Asbestosis, this is a potential
15
MR. KRISTAL: Do we have a copy of the
15 occupational disease hazard due to inhalation o f
16 Betts list so Ms. Drucker can look at it to
16 asbestos dust among workers engaged in the
17 answer the questions? That's all I'm
17 manufacture o f asbestos insulating covers for
18 asking.
18 flanges, valves and high temperature steam
19
MR. KAPSHANDY: No, not here.
19 turbines."
20
MR. KRISTAL: W hy don't we agree to do
20
Q. So what Brown is talking about, at
21
this some other date? This is absurd. We'll
21 least your understanding of it, is that people
22
have to continue this.
22 who were engaged in using asbestos-containing
23
MR. KAPSHANDY: W e can have them sent 23 insulation were at risk o f asbestosis?
24
over from Newark.
24
A. The terms he uses are "asbestos
25
MR. KRISTAL: That would be great if
25 insulating covers for flanges, valves and high
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
15 (Pages 54 to 57'
Page 58
Page 60 ?
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
:
2 temperature steam turbines."
2 controlling high exposures to prevent problems.
3
Q. Okay. So people who were using those
3
Q. Tell me specifically what you're
4 materials were at risk for asbestosis, and that
4 saying - strike that.
5 was known in the 19, at least 1940?
5
Are you saying because he's
6
A. Yes, that people exposed to high
6 recommending control measures by definition he's
7 levels above five million particles per cubic
7 talking about high levels o f exposure? Is that
8 foot would have the potential for asbestosis.
8 what you're saying?
9
Q. Okay. W here are you getting the high
9
A. You're using the term "high." It's a
10 levels above five m illion particles per cubic
10 general, when you're using the term "high,"
11 foot from? From the Brown article?
11 that's a very general statement. I'm saying
12
A. I was using that from general
12 looking at this --
13 background information.
13
Q. You used the term "high." I didn't
14 Q. D oes Brow n mention high levels o f
14 use the term high. Y ou said you're getting from
15 asbestos exposure?
15 the Brown article that high levels o f asbestos
16 A. From w hat I ju st read, I mean, I
16 exposure to cause asbestosis and that was known
17 literally read that's w hat it stated. If I
17 by the Navy. And I'm asking what in the Brown
18 mention levels, I w ould have to look back in the
18 article leads you to say he said high levels o f
19 article for you.
19 asbestos exposure. Be very specific. Tell me
20
Q. Okay. W hy don't you do that?
20 what he's saying that you're interpreting to
21
(Whereupon, the witness peruses the
21 mean he's talking about high levels o f asbestos
22 computer.)
22 exposure?
23
A. Thank you.
23
A. As a trained industrial hygienist
24
Q. Have you read the article?
24 looking back at an article historic over time,
25
A. I looked at article sections.
25 throughout this article it appears he's
Page 59
1
M arjorie 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 w hat 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 o f 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. W ell, as I said, as an industrial
16 hygienist who's trained to look at articles from
17 the past, I'm looking at this and it seems to me
18 that w hat he's describing is the Navy's very 19 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
Page 61 '
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 describing the Navy program which is well aware
3 o f 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 o f exposures.
8
Q. Okay. Tell me specifically what
9 language he uses that leads you to believe he's
10 talking about high levels o f asbestos?
11
(Whereupon, the witness peruses the
12 computer.)
13
A. I think it's inherent in his
14 description o f certain types o f 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.
20
A. I can cite you one paragraph. There
21 may be others.
22
Q. W ell,! want you to cite as many
23 paragraphs or sentences as you need to do.
24
A. I could start out with one.
25
Q. Okay. We'll start with one and then
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
16 (Pages 58 to 61)
Page 62
Page 64
1
Marjorie A. Drucker -Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 we'll move on to others. Start with one.
2 nothing to do with the question because ifs not
3
A. The paragraph reads, "Medical control
3 advancing the ball.
4 consists o f taking an x-ray o f 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.
1
7 the work area, a respirator is worn during the
7
Q. And, therefore, you can't answer the
1
8 dustiest aspect o f 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 o f Asbestos
10 moistening asbestos-containing materials, using
11 Dust."
11 localized exhaust and respirators were some
12
Q. Okay. So the fact that there is a
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 o f
14 medical community in the Navy knew by 1940 that |
15 asbestos exposure?
15 they needed to do these types o f 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 i s ,
18 other whether or not any other industrial
19 that there are certain types o f controls that
19 hygiene community knew that, you ju st don't know
20 need to be instituted and worked against type of
2 0 as you sit here?
*
21 material in which he's listing the ones they
21
A. I haven't been asked to address that
22 used in the N avy at that point in time in 1922.
2 2 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
|
Page 63
Page65 3
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker -D irect
i
2 industrial hygienist, that indicates to me that
2 not, I'm asking whether you know the answer to
?
3 they're aware that they need to control these
3 that question?
4 exposures, they need to make them as low as
5 possible.
6
Q. And that certainly was a well
4
A. I haven't been asked to address it
5 and I haven't formulated an opinion on that.
I
6
Q. Okay. The industrial hygienists that
^
7 accepted body o f knowledge in the industrial 8 hygiene community with respect to asbestos had
7 were in the Navy ifs your belief were being
I
8 trained at the Harvard School o f Public Health?
9 lower exposures by 1940, right?
10
A. That is referring to what?
9
A. Ifs my understanding that many of
|
10 the industrial hygiene officers and health and
J
11
Q. Moistening the material, using
11 safety professionals did go to the Harvard
12 localized exhaust ventilation, using
12 School o f Public Health.
13 respirators. 14 A. W e're confining our talk this morning
13
Q. Starting in 1922?
14
A. Yes, starting in 1922.
15 to the Navy.
15
Q. Okay. And, in part, is it your
16 Q. My question has nothing to do with
16 opinion that that's where they learned about the
17 the Navy. I f you can't answer that question,
18 then let me ju s t know you can't answer that
19 question.
20
A. Well, I'm prepared this morning to
21 talk about the Navy.
22
Q. W hich means you're not prepared to
17 hazards o f asbestos?
18
A. Could you repeat that, please?
19
Q. Sure. Is it your opinion that
2 0 industrial hygienists who were in the Navy that
21 went to the Harvard School o f Public Health
2 2 starting in 1922 learned about the hazards o f
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
23 asbestos through their education at the Harvard
24 School o f Public Health in part?
25
A. I certainly think that in 1922 the
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
17 (Pages 62 to 65)
Page 66
Page 68 !?
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 people, the Navy people attending the Harvard
2
Q. Okay. My question is, can you think
3 School o f Public Health, yes, would have learned
3 of any reason why the Harvard School o f Public
4 that high levels o f dust, including high levels
4 Health would be teaching people who weren't in
5 o f asbestos dust causing asbestosis.
5 the Navy differently than they were teaching
6
Q. And those people would have also
6 people who were in the Navy about the hazards of
7 learned in part how to control the dust levels
7 asbestos beginning in 1922?
g such as moistening the material, using localized
8
A. I don't know if other people did
9 exhaust or using respirators, right?
9 attend in program starting in 1922, but I can't
10
A. I'd have to refer to some documents
10 think of a reason why they would not impart the
11 to answer that.
1 same information to people.
12
Q. Such as what?
12
Q. Okay. Anything in Brown that talks
13
A. Such as some o f the documents we were
13 about five million particles per cubic foot o f
14 talking about before about the Navy's program
4 air?
15 going back over tim e.
15
A. As 1was looking the article over
16
Q. Okay. The information that was being
16 ju st now I did not see five million particles
17 imparted to the N avy industrial hygienists
17 per cubic foot mentioned.
18 beginning in 1922 about high levels o f asbestos
18
Q. Have you read the minimum
19 exposure causing asbestosis was not limited to
19 requirements for contract shipyards document?
20 those folks that w ere in the Navy, was it, at
20
A. Yes.
21 the Harvard School o f Public Health?
21
Q. What year was that, not that you read
22
A. Would you mind repeating that,
22 it, what year was that document published?
23 please?
23
A. 1943.
24
Q. Sure. W as it your understanding that
24
Q. Is that a secret document o f any
25 the N avy industrial hygienists that were in the
25 kind?
Page 67
1
M arjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 Harvard School o f 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 o f 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 H ealth w ould not impart information
14 about the dangers o f asbestos to people who were
15 not in the N avy starting in 1922?
16 A. No.
17
Q. So anybody starting in 1922 who was
18 attending the H arvard School o f Public Health
19 would have gotten the same information about the
20 hazards o f asbestos as the people in the Navy,
21 right? Is there any reason you can think o f why
2 2 they would be given different information?
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.
Page 69
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
A. Not that I'm aware of.
3
Q. Do you know what led up to the
4 promulgation o f that document?
5
A. Ifs my understanding there was some
6 studies conducted that led up to the formulation
7 o f 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 o f 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?
25
MR. KAPSHANDY: Yes,
PRfYRTTY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
18 (Pages 66 to 69)
Page 70
Page 72 |
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1.
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
|
2
Q. Can you answer any question about the
2
game. W e're talking about 100 years o f
|
3 minimum requirement document without looking at 3
industrial hygiene history and it's unfair.
4 the minimum requirement document?
4
A t this point, she doesn't know. She hasn't
5
A. I would like to refer to the
5
memorized the article.
|
6 document.
6
Q. Is that true, you don't know whether
5
7
Q. Okay. So if I asked you who w rote 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?
j
9 document?
9
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection. She's asked
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
1
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.
2 0 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: W hy don't we take a
Page 71
Page 73 i
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 "secret."
2
break?
3
Q. Well, do you have an opinion that
3
Q. Ms. Drucker, you don't have to work
i
4 people outside o f the Navy had knowledge of the
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 o f 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.
11 correct?
12
Q. W as the minimum requirements document 12
A. If it could be read back? I read it
13 given to anybody?
13 literally out o f die article. I don't have it in
14
A. I'd like to look at the document
14 front o f me.
15 itself.
15
Q. Whatever the term was, I think it was
16
Q. So you cannot answer that question
16 insulating covers, was the increased risk based
17 without looking at the document?
17 on any epidemiological study that you're aware
18
MR. KAPSHANDY: I have it up here on
18 of?
19
the screen. Can she look at it or not?
19
A. I'd have to go back and look at it
20
MR. KRISTAL: Not yet.
20 again. I don't know. I'd have to look at the
21
A. Could you repeat that, please?
21 article itself.
22
Q. Did the minimum requirements document
22
Q. Do you know if there was any
23 speak about asbestos insulating products?
24
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection. She's asked
23 epidemiological study that looked at whether or 24 not there was an increased risk o f asbestosis of
25
to see the article. This isn't a memory
25 using any asbestos-containing material that was
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
19 (Pages 70 to 73)
Page 74
Page 76 5
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 done before 1940?
2 occupational disease. Why don't you get the
3
A. The Dreesen study done in 19381
3 sentence? Find the Brown article so we get it
4 would consider an epidemiological study done on
4 right.
5 textile workers in a textile mill.
5
(Whereupon, the witness peruses the
6
Q. Okay. With respect to asbestos
6 computer.)
7 insulating covers, or whatever the phrase was
7
A. I think I have the part that you're
8 Brown used, are you aware o f any epidemiological
8 referring to in front o f me.
9 study done on those products with respect to
9
Q. Okay. Can you read that sentence?
10 risk o f asbestosis?
10
A. "Asbestosis, there is a potential
11
A. Y ou're saying done before a certain
1 occupation disease hazard due to inhalation o f
12 date?
2 asbestos dust among workers engaged in the
13
Q. Before Brown gave that speech.
13 manufacture o f asbestos insulating covers,
14
A. I don't know.
14 flanges, valves and high temperature steam
15
Q. Is it necessary that there have been
15 turbines."
16 an epidemiological study showing an increased
16
Q. Okay. Now, it's your understanding
17 risk from asbestos-containing materials that
17 that Brown is not talking about people in some
18 Brown w as referring to before he could conclude
18 private factory somewhere manufacturing
19 that there was an increased risk?
19 asbestos-containing insulation covers, right?
20
A. Could you repeat that, please?
20
A. I'm assuming that since he's in the
21
Q. Sure. Is it necessary, or was it
21 Navy and he's talking about the Navy, I'm
22 necessary at the time Brown gave his speech for
2 2 assuming he's talking about asbestos in the Navy
23 there to have been an epidemiological study on
23 as a potential occupational disease hazard.
24 the particular asbestos-containing products he
24
Q. Used in insulation covers for
25 w as talking about for which there was an
25 flanges, valves and high temperature steam
Page 75
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 increased risk o f 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 n o epidemiological study that showed an
17 increased risk o f asbestosis for the kinds o f
18 products that Brown was talking about in his
19 speech. D o you have that assumption in mind?
20
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.
25
Q. Okay. Brown said that there was an
Page 77
1
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 o f those materials at that time?
11
A. At that time?
12
Q. Yes.
13
A. In 1940, Tin not aware o f 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
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
20 (Pages 74 to 77)
Page 78
Page 80 ;
1
M aijorie A, Drucker - Direct
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
i
2 mills. I don't know.
2 epidemiological study on that substance showing
l
3
Q. Okay. So what's your understanding
3 an increased risk?
4 when he's talking about die product
4
A. We're using the term epidemiological
5 asbestos-containing insulating covers, what is
5 study a little loosely, so maybe you could
6 he talking about?
6 define what you're calling an epidemiological
f
7
A. His description is
7 study and I can try to answer the question. Can
8 asbestos-containing insulating covers for
8 you focus that for me?
j
9 flanges, valves and high temperature steam
9
Q. Can you tell me your understanding of
|
10 turbines, and that's the description.
10 what an epidemiological study is?
11
Q. Okay. Can you tell me any more
11
A. My understanding is that
1
12 specifically what it is he's talking about?
12 epidemiologic studies study diseases in
f
13
A. N ot based on what's written here, no.
13 populations.
14
Q. How about based on anything else?
14
Q. Do you know anything else about
\
15
A. There may be other information in
15 epidemiological studies?
16 other literature. I don't know. I'm ju st looking
16
A. There are a lot o f tilings that relate
17 at the words that are written right here.
17 to epidemiologic studies. Maybe you could ask
18
Q. So as you sit here now you can't tell
18 me.
19 us what Brown was talking about other than the
19 Q. Sure. Are there different kinds o f
20 words he uses which we can all read?
20 epidemiological studies?
21
A. I'm taking him at his value o f his
21
A. If there were two broad studies,
22 listing o f words as they are written.
2 2 prospective and retrospective epidemiological
3
23
Q. But you can't tell us, can you
23 studies.
24 describe the product he's talking about other
24
Q. Okay. With respect to retrospective
i
25 than the fact that it contains asbestos and is
25 epidemiological studies, are there types o f
\
Page 79
Page 81 f
1
Marjorie A. Drucker -D irect
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 used to insulate flanges, valves and high
2 retrospective epidemiological studies?
3 temperature steam turbines?
4
A. As I sit here now, not beyond what
3
A. I'm sure there are. I've had some
'
4 general background in epidemiology, but I'm not
5 he's listed in this.
5 an epidemiologist.
:
6
Q. Fair enough. I want you to assume
6
Q. What do you mean by retrospective
>
7 there was no epidemiological study showing an
7 epidemiological study?
8 increased risk o f asbestosis from the use of
8
A. Well, in general, retrospective
9 those products. I want you to assume no
9 epidemiological studies look back over time and
10 epidemiological study showing an increased risk
10 study diseases in populations trying to
11 o f asbestos. Does that fact mean that Brown's
11 determine whatever the hypothesis is that
12 conclusion is invalid?
12 they're studying.
13
A. I don't know how to answer the
14 question.
15
Q. Okay. In order for Brown's
16 statement that there w as 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
2 0 risk?
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 o f 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. Okay. In the field o f industrial
21
A. I don't understand the question.
22
Q. You're an industrial hygienist?
23 hygiene with respect to any substance before you 24 can say that there is a potential risk o f harm 25 from that substance, does there have to be an
23
A. Iam .
24
Q. You deal with hazardous substances?
25
A. Yes, I do.
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
21 (Pages 78 to 81
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
Page 82 1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
Page 84
2
Q. And hazardous substance is a
2
A. The first major epidemiological study
3 substance that increases the risk of some
3 done on asbestos was published in 1938 by
4 adverse outcome in humans; is that fair to say?
4 Dreesen, and that was a study done in the
5
A. In general, I'd say a hazardous
5 asbestos textile mills.
6 substance for the potential for causing harm.
6
Q. And before that study was published
7
Q. And an industrial hygienist before
7 the Navy at least as o f 1922 knew that asbestos
8 you can conclude that a substance has the
8 exposure was hazardous, correct?
9 potential to cause harm, do you have to have an
9
A. 1 said that before, that study was
10 epidemiological study retrospective or
0 conducted, it was known that high levels o f
11 prospective o r any other epidemiological study
11 fibrosis-inducing dust, including asbestos could
12 to come to that conclusion?
12 cause conditions, in this case, asbestosis or
13
A. I'm not a physician or toxicologist.
13 other fibrotic conditions that could also be
14 I have general background in that, and I, I
14 caused.
15 think the question is so broad it could depend
15
Q. Are you talking about
16 on a variety o f factors. I don't know how to
6 asbestos-related disease? You said or other
17 answ er that.
17 fibrotic conditions that can be caused. Are you
18
Q. Okay. What are the factors it depends
18 talking about by asbestos?
19 on?
19
A. I was talking in the general scope o f
20
A. Y our question is --I don't
20 substances that can cause fibrosis of the lung.
21 understand it.
21
Q. I'm not talking --
22
Q. Okay. For every hazardous substance
22
A. Including asbestos being one o f them.
23 you're aware o f as an industrial hygienist you
23 High levels o f dust can cause dust disease, the
24 believe there's been an epidemiological study
24 dusty lung that was known.
.
25 that shows there is an increased risk o f the
25
Q. I'm talking about asbestosis and
Page 83
1
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. W hether 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 answ er it. Could you focus it
15 for me, please?
16
Q. Sure. W hat's the first
17 epidemiological study with regard to risk of
18 disease from asbestos exposure that you're aware
19 of?
20
A. I'm aware o f 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
24 epidemiological study, major, minor, in the
25 middle?
Page 85 ,
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
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 o f 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 o f
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 o f asbestos
14 exposure to cause asbestosis?
15
A. I'd say at about that time it was
16 known that high levels o f 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
2 0 asbestosis then, that was 16 years before the
21 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)
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
Page 86
Page 88 \
1
Marjorie A. Drucker -Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker -Direct
2 and asbestosis was 1938?
2 few ways, but, yes, I can say that.
f
3
A. That's w hat I ju st 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 1
7 subject?
7 increased risk of asbestosis from high levels o f
|
8
A. Going back in time being there, back
8 asbestos exposure?
I
9 then it was known that high levels o f dust could
9
A. In terms o f 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, thafs the
12 th afs 16 years before Dreesen in 1938.
12 first epidemiological study o f that type
j
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 o f
|
15 16 years before a epidemiological study was done
15 epidemiological study that correlated an
16 on that subject?
16 increased risk o f 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 o f asbestos exposure to cause asbestos
19 would not.
2 0 disease and that w as 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
i
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?
Page 87
Page 89 |
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 that high levels o f exposure to different kinds
2
A. I'd have to look at the article to
|
3 o f dust would have caused a dusty lung
3 answer your question, but, in terms o f
.1
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 o f asbestos
6
Q. I'm not talking about quantifying
7 the Navy knew that high levels o f exposure to
7 exposure. I'm talking about a belief that there
8 asbestos could cause asbestosis?
8 was an increased risk o f asbestosis from
f
9
A. Well, the health and safety
9 asbestos exposure, what was the first
i
10 professionals o f the Navy could be trained,
10 epidemiological study on that subject, to your
5
11 would have been aware o f the high level o f
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 17 that subject? It sounds like math to me. I don't
16 w as correlating disease and quantified the 17 num ber that they assumed or which they believed
18 know why we're having such a difficult time
18 w as 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 o f
21 study is only a study that quantifies a number
22 asbestos disease from high levels o f asbestos
22 above or below an increased risk?
23 exposure, right?
24
A. Yes. And I mentioned before that the
23
A. I'm not a epidemiologist and I'm just
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
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
23 (Pages 86 to 89)
Page 90
Page 92
1
M arjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
M arjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 disease factors and came up with a level that
2 as an industrial hygienist, and I really am
3 they thought was safe. What other people call
3 having trouble with your broad term of
4 epidemiologic studies or not, I don't know.
4 epidemiological study.
5
Q. So you don't know whether the
5
Q. And I understand you're having that
6 M erriwether and Price study was or was not an
6 trouble, or at least you're saying you're having
7 epidemiological study?
7 that trouble. What I'm trying to do now is
8
A. I think we're using the term
8 eliminate that trouble, because I'm asking you
9 epidemiological study here more loosely than I
9 for your definition o f an epidemiological study?
10 feel comfortable with.
10
A. Well, as I said before, in general
11
Q. Okay. An epidemiological study is a
11 epidemiologic studies study diseases in
12 study looking at populations o f humans that
12 populations.
13 dem onstrates or doesn't demonstrate, tests the
13
Q. Are you done?
14 hypothesis where there's an increased risk from
14
A. That's a general term.
15 a certain exposure. Using that definition, what
15
Q. Okay.
16 was the first epidemiological study with respect
16
A. As an industrial hygienist I have
17 to asbestos disease that you're aware of?
17 studied epidemiology, I have a general
18
A. W ell, I'll use my definition.
18 background in it.
19
Q. I'm asking you to use my definition.
19
Q. Okay. Using your definition, a study
20
A. I can't. I'm sorry.
20 that looks at diseases in populations, when was
21
Q. You can't tell us what the first
21 the first such study with respect to asbestos?
22 study is that you're aware of that demonstrated
22
A. I'd have to look at some documents
23 an increased risk o f asbestosis from any
23 because you're using this term so broadly right
24 asbestos exposure? It's a simple yes or no. You
24 now that I have to return to look at some o f the
25 can or can't. I'm not asking for your
25 materials.
Page 91
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
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 w hat 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 o f 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. I f we're looking at an epidemiologic
14 study o f textile workers, that was done in 1938
15 by D reesen where he correlated exposure and
16 disease, cam e up with a level that he thought
17 w as safe, five m illion particles per cubic foot.
18 Q. Okay. How about any workers? I'm not
19 limiting m y definition to textile workers.
20
A. Y our 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 o f an
24 epidemiological study?
25
A. I am not a epidemiologist. I sit here
Page 93 .
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
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 o f this definition being so broad
12 and I need 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 o f 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 --
24 (Pages 90 to 93)
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
Page 94
Page96 f
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
Q. Your definition didn't mention
2
Q. Okay. And by "documents," you're
I
3 quantifying levels, did it?
3 talking about the list that we've been referring
4
A. No.
4 to?
J
5
Q. Because if you want to define your
5
A. There are some documents that are
1
6 definition o f 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. I f 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'm ju st talking about a study
13 tell me about them?
14 that talked about diseases in population without
14
MR. SPEZIAII: 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
M R 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 w hat was considered a safe level o f five million
23
A. Yes.
24 per cubic foot at that point is what I
24
Q. When did you read that?
f
25 consider the first major epidemiologic study
25
A. About a week ago.
|
Page 95
Page 97 .;
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
;
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 o f a major study and
8
Q. Were you done?
9 in this country, and I was not limiting my
9
A. Yes.
f
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 w as measuring various factors as far as
15 and the GE attorneys you've mentioned?
16 exposure correlating health effects, I would say
16 A. N ot that I recall.
17 that that is the first study o f that type in
17 Q. Okay. W as your understanding these
18 this country.
18 other folks were GE attorneys?
19
Q. Okay. Is there any other study o f 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. W ell, when we're talking about
22 Electric attorneys, attorneys obtained by
23 diseases in populations that's a general term
23 General Electric w ith respect to asbestos
24 and I would have to look at the documents to be
24 litigation?
25 m ore comprehensive in my answer.
25
A. Yes, that's my understanding, they're
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
25 (Pages 94 to 97)
Page 98
Page 100
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 attorneys retained by General Electric.
2 for the Navy and we were just talking about
3
Q. Where was this meeting?
3 things in general.
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 o f 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 o f the
11
A. Yes.
12 hazards o f 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 o f the
14 time. Dr. Betts had an illustrious career with
14 Navy's knowledge o f the hazards o f 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 w hen 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 o f the Navy's
21
Q. W hen in '76?
21 historical knowledge o f the hazards o f asbestos
22
A. July 1976.
22 come up during that meeting?
23
Q. To when in '77?
23
A. W ell, Pd say in general that Dr.
24
A. July 1977.
24 Betts was very proud o f --
25
Q. Okay. And that was at the Long Beach
25
Q. I'm not asking you the substance yet.
Page 99
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 Navy Shipyard?
3
A. Yes.
4
Q. So you worked for one year as a
5 civilian employee o f 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 o f asbestos, 14 didn't you? You weren't there to talk about the
15 Cubs?
16
A. W ell, 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
Page 101
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
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 o f the Navy and their
5 excellent health and safety program came up.
6
Q. And did the subject o f 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. W hat else?
14
A. Well, certainly, Dr. Betts was very
15 proud o f the Navy's program.
16
Q. Okay.
17
A. The Navy had been on the cutting edge
18 o f 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.
26 (Pages 98 to 101)
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
Page 102
Page 104 i
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
Q. W ell, 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 o f 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
i
7 in the N avy between July '76 and July '77 about
7 asbestos?
8 the historical knowledge o f the Navy with
8
A. Can I finish?
9 respect to the hazards o f asbestos?
9
Q. I f 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
S
11 the Navy. I w as the industrial hygienist at the
11 really don't. I'm talking about the hazards o f
12 Long Beach Naval Shipyard. I did surveys on the
12 asbestos historically?
i
13 ships and on the land and I had contact w ith
13
A. I'm trying to answer your question,
14 medical and industrial hygiene personnel who had
14 but you cut me off. I don't know what to do.
15 been there for long periods o f time, and, the
15
Q. Did Dr. Gene Spencer Felton talk to
16 history o f the N avy and occupational health and
16 you about the Navy's historical knowledge about
j
17 safety and industrial hygiene was ju st part o f
17 the hazards o f asbestos?
18 the background o f 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
l
20 that covered Navy policy and Navy programs, and, 20 long-standing tradition in health and safety
|
21 ju st 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. O f what?
23 Navy Shipyard Dr. Selikoff came to talk
24
A. O f health and safely.
24 to workers and I had a chance to spend time
I
25
Q. I'm talking about the hazards of
25 with Dr. Selikoff and discuss some o f his
\
Page 103
Page 105 \
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
{
2 asbestos. I want to know what you knew in the
2 surveys he was doing, and, as part of what he
S
3 1970s about the Navy's knowledge historically
3 was talking about at the shipyard when he was
)
4 about the hazards o f asbestos?
4 meeting with the health and safety staff and the
f
5
A. It's a very broad question, but I was
5 workers, he discussed various things related to
*
6 hired, one o f 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 o f 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 o f asbestos insulating covers and
;
11 way they w ent 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 o f that nature, that would be
14 when I was there. The Brown article, as you
15 part o f the recognition evaluation and control,
15 know, is from 1940.
16 w hich is w hat I as an industrial hygienist did
16
Q. Right. So what I'm saying is,
17 for the Navy.
17 Selikoff did not discover there was a risk o f
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 o f 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 o f the shipyard was a Dr. Gene Spencer
25 asbestos-containing insulating materials are
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
27 (Pages 102 to 105)
Page 106
Page 108
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
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 o f
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
11 exposure to asbestos from that activity, right?
12 published on the hazards of asbestos?
12
A. I would assume that, yes, to reduce
13
A. I'd have to look that up.
13 the exposure to asbestos from that - - 1 don'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 o f 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 o f 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 w as known at least as o f 1940,
25 minimum requirements, literally, this being for
Page 107
Page 109
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 right?
2 respiratory protection.
3
A. As I said, knowing what we looked at
4 in the Brown article, I don't know exactly what
3
Q. And the reason you wanted to keep the
4 levels down was because you wanted to reduce the
5 he was describing.
6
Q. Well, we'll get to the minimum
7 requirements document. But they were talking
8 about asbestos-containing materials and people
9 using asbestos-containing insulating materials,
10 right?
11
A. I would have to look at the article.
12
Q. Why don't you look at the article?
5 risk o f disease, right?
6
A. The reason why you wanted to keep the
7 asbestos levels down, yes, you wanted to reduce
8 the exposure to asbestos and reduce the
9 likelihood o f disease.
10
Q. Is that the section on respirators?
11
A. Yes.
12
Q. Can you go to the introductory
13
A. Okay.
14
(Whereupon, the witness peruses the
15 computer.)
16
Q. Do you have the minimum requirements
13 paragraph o f that where they talk about the, 14 there's a reference to a manual or American 15 standard with respect to respirators. Do you see 16 that? Do you want me to try to find it?
17 there?
18
A. Yes.
17
A. Yes.
18
(Whereupon, Mr. Kristal peruses the
19
Q. I think the section on asbestosis, I
2 0 think it's H 13, maybe Page 9. I'm doing it off
19 computer.)
20
Q. The section right after that, 11.7,
21 the top o f my head so I'm not sure if that's
2 2 accurate.
23
(Whereupon, the witness continues to
24 peruse the computer.)
25
Q. Do you have that section?
21 what does that say?
22
A. 11.7, "Air supply for air line masks
23 o f all kinds."
24
Q. Right. What does the section say?
25
A. "Air at a comfortable temperature and
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
28 (Pages 106 to 109)
Page 110
Page 112 |
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
2 free from odors and excessive moisture sometimes
2
A. I would like to check.
S
3 is difficult to furnish especially for outdoor
3
Q. Okay.
f
4 jobs in winter. Air adequate and temperature
4
(Whereupon, the witness continues to
5 shall be used."
5 peruse the computer.)
j
6
Q. I think you're reading the wrong
6
MR. SPEZIALI: Pm drawing on memory
|
7 thing.
7
here but sort o f 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 m isread 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 I'm 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
M R. KRISTAL: Then it's definitely not
|
13 you see that? That references something, does it
13
there. IPs way more than four pages.
14 not?
14
MR. SPEZIALI: I know what you're
i
15 A. Yes. W ould you like m e to read it?
15
referring to, and I don't 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 o f me.
\
20 protection of heads, eyes and respiratory organs
20
Q. If you look at the introduction o f
|
21 H andbookH 24 November 3rd," it looks like 1938. 21 the document, which I think is there, it was
22
Q. Right.
22 addressed to contractors, was it not?
j
23
A. "Superintendent o f Documents,
23
A. It's addressed all contractors
J
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.
1
Page 111
Page 113 f
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Maijorie A. Drucker -D irect
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.
6
Q. Okay. The section that you read about
5
A. I think that it went to the people
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 10 minimum requirements on asbestos?
9
Q. Do you know how many such shipyards
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?
16
MR. KRISTAL: Sure. Why don't we just
15 been distributed to?
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 M aritime Commission?
19 1 3 ,1 think.
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
24 on asbestosis, right, or you need to look to
25 see?
23
A. Well, as I sit here right now, I
24 don't.
25
Q. Okay. Is it fair to say though this
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
29 (Pages 110 to 113'
Page 114
Page J16 )
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 was not any sort o f secret document o f any kind,
2 the document to check the date or otherwise
3 it wasn't meant to be exclusive to the Navy or
3 intimate that you were off by 20 years?
4 the US Maritime Commission, right?
4
A. No. I was looking at the document.
5
A. Right, I don't think this was a
5
Q. Just on your own?
6 secret document
6
A. I was looking at the documents to
7
Q. So anybody who would have received
7 double check. I mentioned before I wanted to
8 this document or was aware o f the document if
8 look at some documents.
9 they read it would be aware o f the information
9
Q. What led you to double check the
10 in the document? It's ju st logic, it seems to me?
10 date?
11
A. I f people received it and read it
11
A. What led me to double check it?
12 they would have been aware o f the information.
12
Q. Just to double check it for myself.
13
Q. And the respirator manual we looked
13
A. Just for m yself
14 at earlier, Section 10.3, that was available at
14
Q. What other dates did you double
15 the time for $.15 from the government printing
15 check?
16 office, right?
16
A. The date of 1922 from when, from the
17
A. If it's the one I ju st read into the
17 N avy program starting in 1922.
18 record, yes, that one was available for $.15 at
18
Q. What other dates did you check?
19 the time.
19
A. As I said, the '22 date which I had
20
Q. So publicly available information at
20 mentioned for the Navy inception program.
21 the time?
21
Q. My question has nothing to do with
22
A. Yes, if we're talking about the
2 2 that. I'm asking now, what other dates, or, if
23 specific information, yes.
23 you didn't check any other dates you can say no
24
MR. KR1STAL: W hy don't we take a
24 other dates?
25
break?
25
A. No other dates.
Page 115
Page 117
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
(Whereupon, there is a recess in the
3 proceedings.)
4
M R. KRISTAL: Do we have the full
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
MR. SPEZIALI: She had lunch with me,
3
Mr. Kapshandy, Mr. Emery, Mr. Fitzpatrick
4
and we provided her with the transcript
5
minimum requirements?
6
MR. KAPSHANDY: No, I don't believe
5
from the Betts deposition which we told you
6
we were going to provide her with at the
7
so.
8
MR. KRISTAL: Okay.
7
lunch break.
8
Q. Why don't we go to the minimum
9
Q. Can you pull up the section on the
9 requirements document.
10 respirator that mentioned asbestos and the types
10
A. I got it here, and I think this is
11 o f respirators to be used?
12
A. Yes. I had a chance to double check a
11 the abbreviated one.
12
Q. Well, when you say "abbreviated,"
13 document over lunch and I'd like to make a 14 correction to something that I said before, and,
13 it's the one that's missing a lot o f pages, it's 14 not an abbreviated version?
15 that w as that the first Naval people went to the
15
A. Yes.
16 Harvard School o f Public Health in 1942, not '22 17 as I mentioned before.
16
Q. And the section on the respirators
17 that mentioned asbestos and the types o f
18
Q. Okay.
19
A. So I ju st want to correct that.
20
Q. Who told you that you had made a
18 respirators to be used?
19
A. Yes, it has a section on that.
20
Q. And it is saying that when asbestos
21 mistake?
21 pipe - strike that.
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.
25
Q. Did anybody suggest that you look at
22
Can you read the first sentence
23 again, asbestos in pipe covering or something to
24 that effect?
25
A. Yes. It's "Jobs Requiring Respiratory
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
30 (Pages 114 to 117)
Page 118
Page 120 ?
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Maijorie A. Drucker -D irect
|
2 Protective Equipment," and it's listed "Dust
2 they're breathing fresh air.
f
3 asbestos as in," it looks like covering pipes
3
Q. Okay. And it doesn't say that an air
4 air line respirator, dust respirator.
4 line respirator is required when there are high
|
5
Q. Okay. And an air line respirator is a
5 levels o f asbestos dust, does it?
|
6 respirator such that the person wearing it is
6
A. As I read this right now it just says
t
7 not breathing any outside air, right, it's
7 dust.
S self-contained?
8
Q. So it's saying when you're doing a
1
9
A. No. An air line respirator is a type
9 job in which you are using an
10 o f 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
'*
12 vicinity. Sometimes, I don't consider
12 option was the dust respirator, right?
13 self-contained breathing apparatus as part o f
13
A. No. Specifically what it says here is
f
14 that w hat I think you're describing. A ir line
14 when you're covering pipes.
15 meaning to m e that there's a line to a remote
15
Q. Okay.
f
16 source to fresh air bringing it in.
16
A. So it says asbestos covered pipes,
l
17 Q. B ut 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 o f the air that is in an area that asbestos is
19 pipes, right?
20 being used?
20
A. Correct.
f
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
2 2 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 ifs not meant to be, at least
;
Page 119
Page 121 f
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker -D irect
2 the person is coming from a hose that is far
2 your understanding o f 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. W hat you're talking about asbestos,
6 I'd say in general.
5
Q. Okay. And they're not talking about
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 o f the recommendations or requirements is an air
11
Q. Or the dust respirator, correct?
12 line respirator, right?
12
A. Yes. I f we're ju st looking at this
13 A. Yes.
13 section, yes, that's w hat it says. I don't have
14 Q. I'm trying to get your understanding
14 the rest o f all the, w hat might be in the
15 o f 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. If s your understanding that
17
Q. By that are you saying that you think
18 that means there's a hose that is leading away
18 there may be something that talks about only
19 from the person that is accessible to fresh air
19 wearing respiratory protection or taking other
20 so when the person is breathing the person is 21 breathing from a source that is not in the
2 0 protective measures when you're around high 21 levels o f 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 o f air where the contaminant o f
23
A. Other than looking through the whole
24 document, just looking at this it ju st says
25 interest is not present so that, in other words,
25 asbestos dust.
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
31 (P ages! 18 t o i 21)
Page 122
Page 124
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
Q. Okay. N o mention in the minimum
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct public can look at?
3 requirements about the five million particles
A. I've given talks at professional
4 per cubic foot o f air?
association meetings that it's my understanding
5
A. From the section I'm looking at right
were reprinted and the public and technical
6 now, it doesn't mention that.
people there looked at.
7
Q. W ithout looking at the other pages
Q. Anything else?
8 which w e don't have in front o f us you can't
A. Not that I recall.
9 answer that question?
Q. When you say not that you recall, are
10 A. W ith certainty, no.
10 you saying there may be other things and you
11
Q. How about to a reasonable degree of
ju st don't remember them, or is that the
12 certainty?
universe of broad categories in which you've
A. I'd have to refresh myself. I ju st
13 published?
looked at the document, so...
A. I'd say that's the universe o f broad
Q. Do you know whether the document
categories.
16 refers to various methods o f manipulating
Q. Now, the newspaper articles, are
17 asbestos-containing products as increasing your
17 these articles or columns? D o you know the
18 risk o f asbestosis?
18 difference? An article is reporting something on
19 A. I'd have to double check and look at
20 the document.
21
(W hereupon, Resume is marked
22 P laintiffs D rucker Exhibit 2 For
19 a news topic. A column is kind o f expressing an
2120 opinion on something. A. Yes, they were columns.
22
Q. Okay. And during what period o f time
23 Identification.)
23 did you write any newspaper columns?
24
Q. Let m e talk about your resume. I
24
A. I wrote a newspaper column for a
25 marked this Exhibit 2. Is that a copy o f your
25 period o f time, would have been maybe about the
Page 123
1
M arjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 resume? Do you have a copy in front o f 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. W ell, 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?
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.
25
Q. I'm talking about things that the
Page 125
1
M arjorie 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 o f tim e 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? W as it weekly? M onthly? 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 o f 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
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
32 (Pages 122 to 125)
Page 126
Page 128 p
1
Maijorie A. Drucker -D irect
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
!
2 California Newspaper Publishers Association?
2
A. Yes, I do.
3
A. That's correct.
3
MR. KRISTAL: I would request a copy
4
Q. Okay. And so was this publicly
4
o f that.
5 available, in other words, it's not like you go
5
Q. It didn't discuss at all any of
6 to a newsstand and pick one up, or maybe you do,
6 subjects that you are going to be testifying
s
7 I don't know?
7 about for GE in terms o f the Navy's knowledge o f |
8
A. I think it went to all the California
8 the hazards o f asbestos?
9 newspaper publishers, and, whether it's publicly
9
A. Except in the broad sense it had to
10 available beyond that, I don't know.
10 do with asbestos and asbestos is part o f what
\
11
Q. And how did you get involved in doing
11 I'm looking at. It didn't talk about GE.
12 that?
12
Q. And it didn't look at any historical
13
A. California newspaper publishers, o f
13 perspective, did it?
14 w hich there were many hundred, were looking for
14
A. Not that I recall, except maybe
f
15 consultants in the State o f California to assist
15 talking about standards and things like that.
\
16 the newspapers and they had a competition like a
16
Q. You're talking about OSHA standards?
17 request for proposals and they chose a firm from
17
A. Relevant standards that people who
18 northern California and a firm for southern
18 have premises would be very interested in
19 California, and mine was the firm from southern
19 because they're responsible for the safety o f
]
20 California chosen to be a consultant throughout
20 the people within their premises.
21 southern California for the newspapers. So as
21
Q. So you weren't discussing the
22 part o f that 1 suggested and accepted that I
22 standards in a historical context, you were
23 would write a newspaper article for their
23 informing the premises owners what the standards
24 publishers on various health and safety topics.
24 were so if they measured they would know if they
25
Q. And what were the topics you wrote
25 were above or below the current standards?
Page 127
Page 129 i
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
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 rd 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 o f a few
16 southern California, and, as a result o f that, a
16 articles during the week.
17 lot o f 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 o f 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 21 responsible for the safety o f the people within
20
A. Yes.
21
Q. Anything to do with asbestos?
22 their premises and it was addressing, you know,
22
A. Not that I remember.
23 w hat they should consider and how they would get 23
Q. Do you have a copy o f that article?
24 testing and things o f that nature.
24
A. I don't know.
25
Q. Do you have a copy of this column?
25
Q. Td like to request copies if you do.
rsB s
33 (Pages 126 to 129
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
Page 130
Page 132
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
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
6
Q. And let me see if I'm understanding
7 correctly, other than one column for premises
7 what you're saying about asbestos industrial
8 owners who were concerned about asbestos in
8 hygiene surveys. You will go to a location, set
9 buildings after earthquakes in the mid-1990s,
9 up some kind of air sampling monitoring and take
10 you have written nothing about asbestos?
10 the results o f the air sampling and get them
11
A. Well, nothing that was published as
11 analyzed and write a report?
12 in the types of places that you're saying.
12
A. That's one type. There are others.
13
Q. Okay. W hat have you written that's
13
Q. Tell me what the others are?
14 not in that category?
14
A. There are broad surveys that we've
15
A. What's not in that category would be
15 done for bulk samples o f asbestos and various
16 industrial hygiene surveys that I've conducted
16 types o f locations in various types o f locations
17 over 30 years.
17 and policies that I put together now for
18 Q. Right. Anything else?
18 different companies and other types o f entities
19
A. That would be it.
19 so that they could manage asbestos, ju st a broad
20
Q. So other than this one column in the
20 variety o f things that would fall under general
21 m id-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
Page 131
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 your memory? I'm asking you seriously.
3
A. I'm giving you my best recollection.
4
Q. I'm ju st asking you if you're aware
5 o f any problem with your memory?
6
A. I'm not aware o f any.
7
Q. When I went for my draft physical
8 many years ago I checked off loss of memory.
9 When the psychiatrist asked me when was the last
10 time I couldn't remember anything, I said I
11 couldn't remember.
12
The industrial hygiene surveys that
13 related to asbestos, were there any industrial
14 hygiene studies solely related to asbestos that
15 you've written?
16
A. O f course, many.
17
Q. When was the first, when was the
18 last, approximately?
19 A. Approximately the first would have
20 been over 32 years ago.
21
Q. Sometime in the early 1970s?
22
A. Maybe even during when I was at
23 Harvard we went and did industrial hygiene
24 surveys, and some would have included asbestos,
25 so that goes back to 1968, '69, and then all the
Page 133
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 knowledge o f asbestos or GE's knowledge of
3 asbestos hazards?
4
A. Well, when I was in the Navy, which
5 is part o f my over 30 years, I certainly was
6 doing Navy work, so that would have been part of
7 it.
8
Q. You were doing asbestos air sampling
9 between July o f 1976 and July o f 1977?
10 A. Am ong other things, yes, I did
11 asbestos air sampling.
12
Q. Where did you conduct the asbestos
13 air sampling during that period o f time?
14
A. That was when I was at the Long Beach
15 Naval Shipyard, and I did do the surveys on the
16 Navy ships and in some o f the shops, and it was
17 throughout the Long Beach Naval Shipyard.
18
Q. And was this while there were
19 asbestos products being installed on ships?
20
A. It's my understanding that at that
21 time asbestos products were not being installed,
22 but they were being removed in certain areas.
23 They were still being handled in different
24 manners.
25
Q. So you were measuring asbestos levels
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING. INC. <7181983-1234
34 (Pages 130 to 133)
Page 134
Page 136 1
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
l
M aqorieA.Drucker -Direct
2 while asbestos was being removed from different
2 vicinity. I didn't mean to imply that they were
I
3 areas o f the ship?
3 reapplying asbestos.
|
4
A. Yes, that's part o f it, yes, I
4
Q. Right. What types o f 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 o f ships. I do
|
7 o f that period o f time at the Long Beach Naval
7 recall a few destroyers, mid, as I recall, there
8 Shipyard involving asbestos surveys?
8 was a very large ship, it might have been some
1
9
A. Your question was narrowed to
9 sort o f a cruiser in for a period o f time.
t
10 removing. There were a variety o f activity that
10 Q. Do you know anything about die ships
|
11 involved different asbestos.
11 that the four gentlemen whose cases we're here
1
12
Q. Other than removing, what were they?
12 for, w hat ships they were on?
i
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 o f them. I
I
15 because it was your understanding they weren't 16 being installed at that time, so w hat else other 17 than removing?
15 don't know if you're asking anything beyond that.
16 Q. Okay. So tell me what you've reviewed
\
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 o f Plaintiffs' specific
19 re-patching in some places, they may have been
19 materials?
20 using certain type o f 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
25 activities in the shops where there was still
24
A. No.
;
25
Q. Do you have any opinion with respect
\
Page 135
Page 137 r
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
M aqorie A. Drucker - Direct
|
2 some asbestos materials.
3
Q. I'm asking what you recollect doing
2 to any o f the testimony that they rendered?
1
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 o f
7
testimony.
8 re-patching going on?
9
A. As I said, because o f the different
8
MR. KRISTAL: Good. Then we can move |
9
on.
1
10 types o f work that's done on a ship when it's in
10 Q. You got your M aster's o f Science
11 a shipyard, it's in for repair and renovation,
11 degree in 1969 from Harvard University, right?
j
12 yes, I recall having done some work while they
12 A. Yes.
13 were re-patching while they were possibly
13 Q. D id you have to write a thesis?
i
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. W hat 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 o f
I
18 using asbestos-containing products to re-patch
18 credits, but tw o full years o f school, and it
19 an area on the ship?
19 was two full years o f 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 o f 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 o f
24 full years.
25 still asbestos-containing materials in the
25
Q. And you became a certified industrial
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
35 (Pages 134 to 137)
Page 138
Page 140 i
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
I
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 hygienist in air pollution aspects and the
2
A. I think that the M asters degree
3 comprehensive aspects o f industrial hygiene in
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. W hat qualifies one to take --strike
6
Q. What did you do for the ILO?
7 that.
7
A. When I was at the ILO, that's the
8
Is there a test that you take to
8 International Labor Office in Geneva,
9 become a certified industrial hygienist?
9 Switzerland, I was hired to, my total title was
10 A. Y es, there is. There's a veiy
10 specialist --wait. M y title was industrial
11 exacting test. W hen I took it, there were two
11 hygiene official. I was hired under a short-term
12 full days o f testing. It's my understanding now
12 contract. I took an approved leave o f absence
13 people only take one full day o f testing, but,
13 from the EPA in Boston. I went to Geneva. I was
14 when I took it there were tw o full days o f tests
14 hired to write what was called the Model Code o f j
15 that you had to take, but, before you're allowed
15 Industrial Hygiene Regulations pulling together
16 to sit for the test you had to meet minimum
16 all o f the state-of-the-art industrial hygiene
17 requirements such as schooling, practical
17 regulations throughout the world so if a country
18 experience and sit for the exam.
18 were to develop an OSHA type program they could
19
Q. What schooling did you need?
19 use this as enabling legislation.
20
A. You needed, and this is going back a
20
Q. When in '75 did you do that?
21 little in time, but, you needed a minimum o f a
21
A. I did that from about July through
22 Bachelor o f Science degree in science, and, as I
22 December o f 1975.
23 recall, five years experience in the field
23
Q. And when in '71 did you start at GE,
24 before you could sit for the test, as well as a
24 when in 1970?
25 recommendation by somebody who was also a
25
A. I started in July o f 1971.
Page 139
1
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 w as counted by the American
13 Board o f 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 o f 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?
Page 141
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
Q. When did you leave GE?
3
A. February o f 1972.
4
Q. Why did you leave GE?
5
A. 1 left GE because the travel became
6 very 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 ju st
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 w ent to at least 20 to 30 company locations. Our 24 plants were located in the Northeast and
25 throughout the central United States, and I
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
36 (Pages 138 to 141)
Page 142
Page 144 5
1
Marjorie A. Drucker -D irect
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
|
2 would do industrial hygiene surveys, walk
2 yes, I had responsibility for 44 GE locations,
1
3 through surveys, sometimes monitoring of a
3 and, then, as I said, I had, I reported to
f
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, o f
6 company to GE, and, again, that's when EPA and
6 course, I consulted with on a frequent basis.
J
7 OSHA first, you know, came into effect.
7
Q. What were all these other GE
I
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 o f
?
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 o f 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 m et industrial hygiene
15
A. I don't know how many. I know that
15 safety and medical people almost everywhere I
16 there were m any and GE has been on the forefront 16 went throughout GE.
|
17 o f health and safety and they had many
17
Q. How many GE industrial hygienists
18 industrial hygienists throughout many o f the
18 were there approximately when you were there?
19 facilities I visited and throughout other
19 A. My contact, I m et 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 o f the annual medical
21 with them. But as far as people I was more
l
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 o f maybe
|
25
Q. Is it fair to say you were one o f the
25 15 or so. And that's ju st for a part o f the
Page 143
Page 145 i
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker -D irect
2 lowest folks on the totem pole?
2 country that I was familiar with.
3
A. I don't know what you mean by that.
3
Q. Again, without holding you to an
f
4
Q. Well, you started at GE in July o f
4 exact number, in terms o f the total number o f
5 '71. Y ou 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 ju st asking you for your best
;
10 highly welcomed and actually made many
10 estimate in terms o f orders o f 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 everybody came. I was in the
15 were above you?
15 meetings with a lot o f them and a lot o f 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 o f 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.
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
37 (PaieT 42 to 145:
Page 146
1
M arjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
2 Many o f the people who I met there back in the
2
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct Q. Anybody else?
Page 148 1
3 seventies I ended up talking to quite recently
3
A. There were some other people, a
4 and they stayed w ith 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 o f those is Mark
10 been w ith the com pany for decades and some who
10 Strife?
11 are retired w ho have been with the company for
11
A. Yes.
12 decades.
12
Q. Anybody else?
13
Q. And some who are not retired?
13
A. The corporate industrial hygienist's
14
A. Yes.
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 Am erican Industrial Hygiene
19 Kruger?
20 Association and attended our annual conferences,
20
A. I met with Kurt around January or so
21 and, over the years I would ju st see the
21 o f this year.
22 industrial hygienists at the various meetings
22
Q. Did it have anything to do with your
23 for over 20 ,2 5 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
Page 147
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 Electric and many o f the other, some o f the
3 other industrial hygienists who are currently
4 with the company.
5
Q. And who is the corporate industrial
6 hygienist for GE currently?
7
A. I'm sorry. I don't remember his name
8 right now. It will come back to me.
9
Q. Okay. It's a man, I take it?
10
A. It's a gentleman, yes.
11
Q. And you m et with him and have spoken
12 with him recently?
13
A. Yes.
14
Q. How many decades has he been with GE?
15 A. He's new to the company. I don't know
16 how m any years. I don't think it's a decade.
17
Q. Certainly more than you, he's been at
18 GE as an industrial hygienist longer than you
19 had been at GE?
20
A. That's my understanding.
21
Q. And the other GE industrial
22 hygienists you've spoken to recently, can you
23 give me their names?
24
A. I've spoken to an industrial
25 hygienist whose name is M ark Strife (phonetic).
Page 149
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 general for GE, yes.
3
Q. Other than asbestos litigation, what
4 other work are you doing generally for GE?
5
A. You asked in your last question was
6 it referring to these cases or for my work with
7 GE generally. That's how I answered that.
8
Q. Right.
9
A. Meaning, that it's for my general
10 work with GE.
11
Q. Which is limited solely to being
12 retained for asbestos litigation?
13
A. Yes.
14
Q. In other words, you're not doing
15 something --
16
A. I'd say yes, right, with regard to
17 asbestos.
18
Q. With regard to asbestos litigation.
19 What I mean is, you're not consulting with GE
20 generally as an industrial hygienist now on any
21 subject other than asbestos litigation?
22
A. I'm not a lawyer. I sit here as an
23 industrial hygienist. So my understanding is I
24 consult on the general subject of asbestos.
25 W hether it's all related to litigation, I don't
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING. INC. (7181983-1234
38 (Pages 146 to 149)
Page 150
Page 152 ;
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker -D irect
l
2 know.
2 helpful. He was able to describe the corporate
3
Q. W ell, what lawyers have you discussed
3 set up in terms o f 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
s
6 Who else?
6 over the years and could give me an update or
|
7
A. W hat other lawyers have I spoken to?
7 briefing on that kind o f 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 w ith 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, Tm not a lawyer. As far as I
16 Q. And where was this meeting?
17 know I'm working on asbestos and GE's histoiy
17 A. It was in Fairfield, Connecticut.
18 and knowledge. If it's all related to
18
Q. Where?
19 litigation, it is. I f it's not wholly, I don't
19 A. A t GE corporate headquarters.
20 know. I'm ju st giving you my best answer.
20
Q. And I take it you felt this meeting
1
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 histoiy going back over the safety and health
i
Page 151
Page 153 l
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker -D irect
'
2
Q. It's all related to asbestos
3 litigation?
4
A. That's what you ju st said.
2 activities throughout the history o f General 3 Electric. They've been very active and involved 4 and on the forefront o f health and safety.
5
Q. Right. You don't know whether that's
6 all related to asbestos litigation or not?
7
A. I'm trying to answer your question
8 wholly and truthfully. As far as I know, it's
9 all related to asbestos. I don't know whether it
10 all has to do w ith litigation.
5
Q. Was this an interview that you were
6 conducting? Tell me the format o f the meeting
7 whereby you were getting information from Mr.
8 Kruger, the former GE physician and Mr. Hampton
9 and any other lawyers?
10 A. There might have been other people
11
Q. Well, what else do you think it has
12 to do with?
11 present. That's what I'm remembering right now.
12
Q. Okay.
13
A. General background on GE, their
14 history with asbestos.
13
A. I would say it's a conversation,
14 interview type o f discussion and I was free to
15
Q. For purposes o f some GE museum or
16 archives or related to litigation?
17 A. M ost likely it's related to
18 litigation, but, again, I don't know all the ins
19 and outs.
20
Q. W hat did you speak to Mr. Kruger
21 about with respect to your work on the GE
22 asbestos project, whether it relates to
23 litigation or not?
24
A. Well, in general, Mr. Kruger, who's a
25 certified industrial hygienist, was very
15 ask any questions and I did.
16 Q. Okay. W as Mr. Hobson there, David
17 Hobson?
18
A. No.
19
Q. Was Dr. Betts there?
20
A. No.
21
Q. Did you take notes?
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 a listing o f different people that I've spoken
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
39 (Pages 150 to 153)
Page 154
Page 156 -
1
M aijorieA.Drucker -Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 to, and, then I, after I'm finished with them, 1
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 o f 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 o f 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 o f this project, and I consolidated my
13 a table.
14 notes and wrote things down.
14
Q. I know. In the normal course o f 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 o f my business?
17 know, everything together?
17
Q. --Do you keep it in a file cabinet
18
A. I keep a listing o f the people that I
18 under GE? W hat do you do with this?
19 have spoken to and the places that I've gone
19 A. I ju st 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 o f 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 o f the listing.
25 that you're relying on for your opinions in this
Page 155
Page 157
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
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.
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
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. W e 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 o f 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
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 histoiy o f 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 o f 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 ju st want to
25 make sure you're not answering number of
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
40 (Pages 154 to 157)
Page 158
Page 160 f
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
M aijorie A. Drucker -Direct
i
2 people.
2 o f 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
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
\
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 m et 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
l
11 separate meeting.
11 through the eighties. There were tens o f
5
12
Q. Right.
12 thousands o f these cards, and, so, there was a
i
13
A. So I'm estimating. Some people I met
13 program that w as in existence before the
14 w ith more than once. I don't w ant to guess. I'd
14 computerized system.
15 say 25.
15
Q. Okay. Have you seen any o f those
16
Q. In order to answer accurately you
16 records with respect to claims o f
17 w ould need, in fairness, to look at this list?
17 asbestos-related disease brought by GE workers?
18
A. Yes.
18 A. Yes, I've seen the records going
1
19
Q. Okay. You had mentioned with respect
19 back, again, from the card file going back to
f
20 to the one meeting on January 4th in which Mr.
20 the forties or fifties up to the eighties, and I
|
21 Kruger was present that he was going to try to
21 have seen them, yes.
22 locate some records o f some sort?
22
Q. W hat 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 1
24
Q. I'm sony.
24 for an asbestos-related disease?
i
25
A. I said January or so.
25
A. W ell, the earliest claim I saw was in
i
Page 159
Page 161 i
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
Q. I meant January '0 4 .1 apologize.
2 1971.
3
A. Okay.
3
Q. W hat was the nature of the
4
Q. The meeting you had in January of
4 allegation?
\
5 2004 in which you mentioned Mr. Kruger was going 5
A. I don't know what you mean by
,
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?
10 incorporated in the late 1890's and has bought
10 A. Yes. W hat it says on the card for the
11 and sold hundreds if not thousands o f 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 14 are kept at the local businesses that had 15 conducted the business. But I do recall that he 16 had run some sort o f a general search on a 17 computerized workers' compensation program and 18 had run something like that and he was, that was
13 employment was? 14 A. On the card it doesn't say what the 15 person's employment was, no. 16 Q. W ere you able to ascertain that from 17 any other source? 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 o f
21 looking for, if I'm understanding you, claims of
22 asbestos-related disease by GE workers
23 historically in part?
24
A. The computer program only went back
25 to about 1990. So it would have been a listing
21 finding out any information?
22
A. M y looking at the records it just
23 isn't clear to m e what the gentleman was doing.
24
Q. W hat plant was the person working in?
25
A. He was in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
41 (Pages 158 to 161'
Page 162
Page 164 5
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
Q. Working in the turbine plant?
2 to say?
3
A. I don't think turbines were made in
3
A. Yes.
4 Fitchburg, so, again, I don't know what the
4
Q. Is there anything else contained in
5 gentleman was doing.
5 the listings document other than a summary of
6
Q. Do you know what was being
6 your notes from meetings that you had, in other
7 manufactured at Fitchburg at the location where
7 words, if you were reading a document and you
8 the gentleman worked by GE?
8 took notes on it or you were looking at a
9
A. No, I don't remember.
9 workers' comp index card and investigating that
10
Q. Is it fair to say asbestos was being
10 case and took notes on it, where would those
11 used somewhere in that plant?
11 notes be?
12
A. We don't know, we don't know what he
12
A. I don't keep notes. What I have is in
13 was doing. W e know there were shipyards in the
13 that listing.
14 area he m ay have worked for. W e don't know what 14
Q. Okay. So there's no other document in
15 the gentleman w as doing before GE, how long he
15 which you summarize your notes and then threw
16 had been there. It's not clear.
16 them away?
17
Q. I'm talking about your research into
17
A. No, there's no other document.
18 that particular claim. The person must have
18
Q. It's not a trick question. I'm just
19 claimed some asbestos exposure at GE; is it fair
19 trying to find out.
20 to say? I'm not saying it's correct or not
20
A. I'm trying to answer. No.
21 correct. I'm ju st asking it wouldn't be, there
21
Q. Okay. Are you saying you didn't take
22 wouldn't be a record unless there was a claim
22 notes except when you were at meetings on any of
23 against GE?
23 the work that you did?
24
A. All I know is what's on his little
24
A. Well, I took notes when I was talking
25 card. They were like three-by-five cards. It
25 to people which I told you I incorporated into
Page 163
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 o f 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
17 with people that would be reflected in this
18 listing?
19
A. That would not be involved in the
20 listings?
21
Q. Let me try to clarify. My
22 understanding o f the listing document, this 12
23 or 13 page or however long page document, is
24 that it's a chronological summary o f your notes
25 o f 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 o f notes I keep.
6
Q. And when you're doing the task o f 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 o f Fitchburg, Massachusetts?
11
A. I've seen a copy o f it, yes.
12
Q. M y 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)
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
Page 166
Page 168 ?
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 or attempting to locate the various workers'
2 hygienist?
|
3 comp documents were there any other records he
3
A. He was a, his specialty was safety
f
4 provided you or was looking for?
4 management. He's written many editions o f a book
5
A. Well, I think he provided some recent
5 called "Safety Management." In fact, five
5
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.
I
9 management. So other than the very recent type
9
Q. And whatever the substance o f your
10 documents and this listing, that's what he
10 conversations were with him would be contained
11 provided me.
11 in the listings?
\
12 Q. Okay. And the recent type documents
12
A. Yes.
i
13 with the current policies, was that something
13
Q. Okay. Anyone else you remember?
jj
14 that in any w ay is informing your opinion in
14 A. I spoke to many industrial hygienists
I
15 this case?
15 who I m et when I w as with the company and kept
16 A. W ell, I think it shows it's part o f
16 up with throughout the years at the American
17 the continuum. GE has been on the forefront o f
17 Industrial Hygiene Association meetings. I have
?
18 health and safety for over 80 years, and it ju st
18 spoken to on a few occasions two o f the other
1
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
1
21
Q. Okay. Other than Mr. Kruger, Mr.
21 with the company in the sixties, a certified
l
22 Hampton, the GE physician who, the former GE
22 industrial hygienist Dale Culp, C-U-L-P. He was
j
23 physician whose name you don't recall, do you
23 a student o f mine at Yale, and, when I left I
24 recall the names o f any other people you met
24 referred him and he took my job at GE in
1
25 that you interviewed from GE who were current or 25 Bridgeport. I have spoken to him on a couple o f
}
Page 167
Page 169 ?:
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
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
6 people?
7
Q. Yes.
8
A. N ot at that meeting, but in general?
9
Q. Yes.
5 some o f the people? Obviously, Dr. Grimaldi goes
6 back I think you said to the mid-sixties?
7
A. Dr. Grimaldi goes back to the
8 fifties. There's a gentleman named Arnold Rathje
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 o f 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 o f safety and industrial
12 the 1950s.
r
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
18 us?
17 back to about 1950, as well, and he was a 18 chemist involved in a lot o f 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?
21
A. Yes, he's a Ph.D., Dr. Jack Grimaldi.
22
Q. And is he currently with GE or former
23 GE?
24
A. He's former GE. He's retired.
25
Q. Okay. And he was an industrial
20 people.
21
Q. Were these meetings or interviews
22 combinations with and without GE attorneys
23 there, or were they all with GE attorneys in
24 terms o f litigation?
25
A. No. I was free, I did a lot o f the
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
43 (Pages 166 to 169)
Page 170
1
M arjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
2 interviews on my own. A lot o f 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 m any tim es alone over the phone. So I'd
6
7 say for the m ost part it was alone.
7
8
Q. Okay. You mentioned the workers' comp
8
9 records. Y ou 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 o f 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 w ords, were you shown maybe
15
16 drawings from GE, o r technical manuals or any
16
17 kind o f G E documents other than what you have
17
18 mentioned and the Alice Hamilton series from the
18
19 1920s?
19
20
A. A re w e talking in general or
20
21 specifically w ith regard to this? I missed that.
21
22
Q. W e're talking about anything.
22
23
M R. 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 o f 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: I f 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
Page 171
Page 173
1
M arjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
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. M y understanding of the project
5
that's sort o f veiy published and very
6 you've been working on is GE historical
6
public.
7 knowledge o f asbestos, one general project that
7
MR. KRISTAL: Okay.
8 happens to relate to these cases?
8
(Whereupon, a discussion is held o ff
9
M R. SPEZIALI: Let me clarify, Jerry.
10 GE finds itself in a situation, and it's
9 the record.)
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 o f different
15
will. I know it doesn't help you for
16 w ays 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 o f New York litigation, but there
21
putting in. I don't know your case in
22
are places in the country we are required
23
to produce a witness. She was hired for
24
that purpose. She has yet to testify, but
25
she will be testifying in the future
22
chief.
23
I have deposed Dr. Kauzman (phonetic)
24
on three or four occasions, and, as far as
25
I can tell he has nothing bad to say about
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
44 (Pages 170 to 173)
Page 174
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Dir
2
GE. But he's your witness. Perhaps he will
2 breadth o f the spectrum as mucl
3
have something different to say some day
3 what he did.
4
and I need to address it. That's the best I
4
Q. And your knowledge ana y ^
5
can do. I'm shooting in the dark.
5 understanding o f GE's industrial hygiene program
6
MR. KRISTAL: Gotcha.
6 from your interviews o f these people depends on
|
7
Q. Is it fair to say Dr. Grimaldi has
7 how accurate their information is, correct?
8 more knowledge about GE industrial hygiene than
8
A. Well, you know, fortunately in this
i
9 you do, having been there for a long time?
9 project there have been a lot of cross checks.
t
10
A. Well, Dr. Grimaldi certainly in his
10 There have ju st been a lot o f ways to cross
11 tim e period is rich with information or history
11 check information and various ways through
12 o f GE in the fifties and sixties, o f course.
12 meetings with different people through documents
13
Q. So for that time period he certainly
13 that I had the opportunity to review through
14 has m ore knowledge than you?
14 thousands o f industrial hygiene measurements and |
15
A. For that time period he has a lot of
15 books and other documents through visits through
16 information to share, yes.
16 going to the Radcliffe and Harvard Library. So
i
17
Q. I'm talking about compared to you he
17 there have been a lot o f cross checks o f this
18 has m ore knowledge on that subject in that time
18 project. It's an ongoing project, but...
19 period?
19
Q. A work in progress. The thousands of
20
A. He certainly imparted a lot o f good
20 industrial hygiene surveys, what are you talking
\
21 information to me.
21 about?
22
Q. And Mr. Hampton also has more
22
A. As I said before, GE has been on the
23 knowledge for the tim e period he was with GE
23 forefront o f health and safety and they handle
24 than you do about GE industrial hygiene?
24 asbestos, as all substances that they handle,
;
25
A. For the time and for what he did with
25 responsibly at the time. There are thousands of
Page 175
Page 177 :
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 the company, yes, he him self 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 o f documents you
9 current time and worked on various projects,
9 didn't recall those 4,500 industrial hygiene
10 some o f 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 15 health he's not an industrial hygienist or a
14
Q. So I want to take broad categories.
15 We have the ones on the record. You mentioned
16 certified industrial hygienist, but he's certainly a
16 these surveys, some o f w hich go back to the
17 person very steeped in health and safety. I'm 18 sony. W hat was the question?
17 1950s, and some pertain to asbestos? 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 21 health and safety, although not an industrial
20
Q. What other documents in terms of
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?
24
A. He would know more about what he did.
25 I haven't come across someone who knows the
23 generally other documents?
24
A. Generally, as I said, there were
25 cross checks in many ways. I reviewed general
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
45 (Pages 174 to 177
Page 178
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 medical and scientific information over time
2 GE.
Page 180
3 that I reviewed for context and I reviewed
3
A lot o f the other information was
4 answers to interrogatories prepared over time. I
4 just general background scientific information
5 met, as I told you, I met and spoke with many
5 provided for context. I also attributed some of
6 people who had been with the company.
6 the articles to that, I'd say, body of
7
Q. I'm not talking about the meetings
7 literature o f medical and scientific
8 which you were saying you looked at documents
8 information.
9 that served as checks?
9
MR. KRISTAL: Why don't we mark this
10
A. I'm getting there. I'm not done.
10
as Exhibit 3. It's called "Asbestos Library
11
Q. I know. But I'm not interested in
11
Catalog."
12 meetings because we already talked about.
12
(Whereupon, Asbestos Library Catalog
13
A. I don't want to leave off anything. 1
13 is marked Plaintiffs Drucker Exhibit 3 For
14 had the opportunity to review books and other
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 ju st now?
17 information relating to asbestos at various
17
(Whereupon, the witness peruses the
18 periods o f time.
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 o f Dr. Betts' information.
23 the form er industrial hygienist, but, in
23
Q. Let me back up. This morning you said
24 general, I think w e 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
Page 179
1
M arjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 of the industrial hygienist, were there
3 documents that you found that were not in the
4 categories you mentioned that helped you form
5 your opinions in this case?
6
A. Those documents would fall within the
7 broad categories 1mentioned.
8
Q. Are there any other broad categories
9 other than w hat you just mentioned in your last
10 answer, books and other documents written by GE?
11
A. The industrial hygiene samples, the
12 visits I m et w ith various industrial hygienists,
13 that's the broad categories.
14 Q. Okay. M edical and scientific
15 information over tim e, are you talking about GE
16 internal m edical and scientific information over
17 time or things that are on this list that
18 hopefully we'll get to today, if not, whenever
19 we meet again?
20
A. First o f all, GE was not an asbestos
21 company. They used veiy little asbestos on a very
22 few product lines. A very small amount of those
23 product lines ever contained asbestos. We found 24 actually only two articles in the medical and
25 scientific literature relating to asbestos at
Page 181 '
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 knowledge in 1922 as an example. Is Exhibit 3
3 the list you were talking about?
4
A. That might have duplicates. It's not
5 specifically the list that I had in mind.
6
Q. Okay. Then I will mark this Exhibit
7 3, but, does your list that you have in mind
8 have a title?
9
A. I think it says something about
10 index. Other than that, I don't remember.
11
Q. Do you have a copy somewhere of that
12 list?
13
A. Not with me, but yes.
14
Q. Okay. I will request a copy o f that
15 list, because there's no sense in using a list
16 if it's not the list you're talking about. It
17 doesn't make sense to me, anyway. Does it make
18 sense to you to wait until we have the actual
19 list?
20
A. Yes.
21
Q. Okay. The two articles that you found
22 that related specifically to GE and asbestos,
23 were these from medical and scientific articles, 24 or newspaper articles, or what kind of articles?
25
A. I didn't say that they related to GE
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
46 (Pages 178 to 181)
Page 182
Page 184
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
|
2 and asbestos. I said we found two articles on
2 put in an area from way back, and, other than
S
3 asbestos at GE, meaning, it was GE in Bridgeport
3 him saying, you know, that his office had been
1
4 in the former offices o f 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.
S
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?
I
8 search o f GE documents you located two articles
8
A. That there were some records that had
I
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
f
11 company. I don't know what you would expect to
11 relating to asbestos within that there were
1
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 w e found a t Bridgeport.
14 Feliu was where you found these documents?
|
15
Q. And do you know die names of these
15
A. The location, the plant is in
16 articles?
16 Bridgeport, Connecticut.
j
17
A. Yes.
17
Q. The Answers to Interrogatories over
f
18
Q. Okay. What were they?
18 tim e, 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 o f those
23
Q. Right.
23 somewhere?
24
A. And another article was by Philip
24
A. Yes.
"
25 Interline (phonetic) and I don't recall the
25
Q. Okay.
{
Page 183
Page 185 '
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
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, Jeny, that's
5 in other words, you don't know if it was the day 6 before you got there or 35 years ago? Pm being
5
not with respect to this case. I mean, that
6
is, again, you're confusing --
7 a little facetious, but, do you have any idea 8 when GE first came into possession o f those 9 articles?
7
MR. KRISTAL: I d o n t think I'm
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 12 looked old and it looked like it hadn't been 13 touched in a long time. I also spoke to Leo 14 Feliu before I got there and he steered me on
11 o f what GE knew about the hazards o f asbestos
12 and when?
13
MR. SPEZIALI: Again, she's not being
14
offered for that purpose in this case.
15 w hat could you have.
15
MR. KRISTAL: Okay.
16
Q. Could you spell his last name?
16
A. I dont know what kind o f thing you
17
A. F-E-L-I-U.
17 m ay 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 o f specific questions. I don't
19 found these two articles?
19 know what I can say, whether the interrogatories
20
A. In the area o f Mr. Feliu's office,
21 yes. He was the industrial hygienist, or one o f
22 them at Bridgeport.
20 would help or not.
21
Q. What information did you get from the
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.
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
47 (Pages 182 to 185)
1
M arjorie A. Drucker - Direct
Page 186
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
Page 188 :
2
MR. SPEZIALI: In this case?
2 wasn't there. I have a degree, yes, o f certainty
3
MR. KRISTAL: Yes.
3 that the health and safety professionals at GE
4
M R. SPEZIALI: She's not offering
4 going back to the early thirties would have been
5
opinions on that.
5 aware that high levels o f exposure to asbestos
6
Q. W hat 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 o f 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 o f 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 o f 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 o f certainty that they would have
16 professionals at GE would have been aware that
16 been aware.
17 high levels o f exposure to asbestos dust can
17
Q. Is your opinion about the Navy and
18 cause asbestosis.
18 its knowledge o f asbestos that the Navy would
19
And, then in the person o f Dr. Irving
19 have been aware or was aware o f the hazards o f
2 0 Sacs (phonetic) in G E Schenectady in 1951, as
2 0 asbestos as o f 1922?
21 well as other authors at GE who published to GE
21
A. Well, according to one of the
2 2 and non-GE alike the state-of-the-art on
22 documents that is on one o f 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 w as known at the time all the way up
24 that high levels o f dust could cause a fibrotic
25 through OSHA.
25 condition.
Page 187
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
Q. So in your opinion to a reasonable
3 degree o f 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 o f 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 o f 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 o f exposure to
2 0 asbestos dust causes asbestosis.
21
Q. Is there a difference between would
2 2 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 o f
17 the doctors there had found a case o f 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
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
48 (Pages 186 to 189)
Page 190
Page 192 f
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker -D irect
j
2 surveyed?
2 went to Mr. Swote.
s
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
5
6 o f this GE doctor who had found this case o f
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 o f
9 the report from Dr. Hamilton, at the time, acted
10 how it unfolded?
10 upon it, removed the man, put the other person
J
11
A. M y understanding is that Alice
11 in an air line respirator and no more problems.
12 Ham ilton was amazing. Alice Hamilton was hired
12 Q. So GE knew as o f 1934 that asbestos
i
13 by the president o f General Electric, his name
13 could cause asbestosis. N ot would have known,
14 w as 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 ju st 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 o f GE and he,
18 is it your opinion to a reasonable degree o f
19 in turn, made sure everything she recommended
19 certainty that GE knew asbestos could cause
1
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 o f 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 w as informed in part by
25 least. Alice Hamilton was a consultant to GE.
25 Alice Hamilton as to how to reduce the incidence
i
Page 191
Page 193
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
i
2 W hat was the question?
2 o f asbestosis, how to deal with the problem,
3
Q. As part of her consultancy work and
3 right?
4 the reports, one o f 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 o f surveys throughout all GE
7 problem to avoid asbestos disease, you mean from
8 facilities found that there had been a case o f
8 other internal industrial hygienists o f 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 o f asbestos?
12 over 40 years later.
12
A. They used hundreds o f materials.
13
Q. Okay. That was going to be my
13
Q. I know that. I'm ju st 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 o f 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 o f 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
24 specifically, but, all the other reports appear
23 asbestos exposure back to the twenties.
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
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
49 (Pages 190 to 193,'
Page 194
Page 196
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
M arjorie A. Drucker - Direct
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 country 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 o f 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 w as a secret. Again, this was
11 but other potentially harmful material. Asbestos
12 part o f their overall ongoing health and safety
2 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. W hether it was a secret or not, it's
15 included or included?
16 your opinion to a reasonable degree o f certainty
16
A. Included.
17 that G E as o f 1934 knew how to reduce the risk
17
Q. Okay.
18 o f 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 o f the hazards o f
24 known by GE to reduce the risk o f asbestos
24 asbestos by the people who were handling the
25 disease in 1934?
25 asbestos an important part of reducing the
Page 195
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
MR. SPEZLALI: Objection. Asked and
3
answered.
4
Q. You started listing some of them, but
5 I w ant to m ake 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 o f
14 tim e, 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 w hat measures should be taken to reduce the risk
18 o f 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
Page 197
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 incidence o f 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 o f reducing the risk o f asbestosis in
11 1934. Did GE know in 1934 that to reduce the
12 risk o f asbestos disease exhaust ventilation was
13 one method to do that in your opinion to a
14 reasonable degree o f 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 o f medical certainty that in
21 1934 GE knew that exhaust ventilation was one
22 method to reduce the risk o f 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
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
50 (Pages 194 to 197)
Page 198
Page 200 i;
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
|
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
l
7 so I would like your answers to be focused on
7
form o f the question.
8 asbestos. Is it your opinion that as o f 1934 GE
8
MR. SPEZIALI: I do object. I think
f
9 knew that exhaust ventilation was one authority,
9
it's an unfair question.
10 method or measure o f reducing the risk o f
10
A. Can I have the question, please?
11 asbestos disease?
11
Q. Sure. What asbestos-containing
12 A. M y 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
f
14 ventilation w as one type o f measure that could
14 few products that they made, I don't know w hat
;
15 help prevent disease such as asbestosis.
15 other kinds o f 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 o f 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 o f 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 o f which contained some amount o f
23 strike that.
23 asbestos for certain periods o f time. From the
\
24
Can I have your question again?
24 1930s to 1980, GE made wire and cable products, 1
25
Q. Sure. I'd like to know if in your
25 a small portion of which contained asbestos and
Page 199
Page 201 \
1
Marjorie A. Drucker -D irect
1
Maqorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
2 opinion to a reasonable degree o f 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
5
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 j
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 o f
9 professionals knew that wetting could be one
9 product line, again, a small portion o f 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 o f 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 o f the disease?
14 o f textolite material ever contained asbestos.
15
A. They who?
15 That was a laminate board. The other type o f
;
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 w et methods would reduce the amount
18 to 1972, and, again, not all genol ever
19 o f 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. W hat 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
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
51 (Pages 198 to 201)
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
Page 202 1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
Page 204
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 o f 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. B ut a lot o f the material
9 A turbine is a metal machine that GE produced.
10 also cam e from the states. The oldest material
10
Q. I'm asking you if in the testing o f
11 came from the states. There were search made,
11 those products you're aware that GE used
12 frequent information requests made o f state
12 asbestos-containing insulation to test those
13 reports going back over time. So some o f these
13 products in the factory?
14 descriptions o f 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 ju s t mentioned about these products
17 exactly w hat you're saying.
18 from General Electric Answers to Interrogatories
18
Q. Have you read M r. 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. W hat do you mean from the states?
2 2 GE museum that turbines insulated with thermal
23 That's w hat 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 o f ~
Page 203
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
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 o f those reports provided information on the
9 products that I ju st told you about.
10
Q. Gotcha.
11
A. Constituents and things like that,
12 time periods, information. Some o f the material
13 was, I also learned about from speaking to
14 people, some o f the industrial hygiene medical
15 people who w ere with the company over periods o f
16 time. There m ay have been other information.
17 That's w hat 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 o f those measurements, 24 probably a small portion came from the states.
25 Other were done by a company, others by
Page 205
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
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 o f any
5 GE turbines with thermal insulation on them in
6 the plants o f GE?
7
A. N ot 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 o f whether or not GE
14 took any measures to protect the people from the
15 risk o f 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 G E would have devised
19 measures that would be protective o f their
2 0 people because they're the employer and it's on
21 their premises.
22
Q. Okay. So GE's knowledge about the
23 hazards o f asbestos w ould relate to any exposure
24 to asbestos regardless o f the source?
25
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
52 (Pages 202 to 205)
Page 206
Page 208 |
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
|
2
Q. Whether it was a thermal insulation,
2 at least as o f 1943 w ould have been aware o f
3 or textile or anything else?
3 that, correct, that asbestos as in pipe covering
4
MR. SPEZLALI: Objection. You mean in
4 could pose the risk o f asbestosis?
|
5
its facilities?
5
A. Well, it appears that the Navy shared
i
6
MR. KRISTAL: Yes.
6 that kind o f information. I would think that GE
i
7
Q. You're saying GE had this stellar
7 health and safety professionals would have been
f
8 industrial hygiene program?
8 aware o f 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.
1
11 o f asbestos that go back to 1934 included
11
Q. Okay. Do you have an opinion as to
J
12 asbestos that would be contained in any asbestos
12 whether GE knew more or less or about the same
S
13 product, right? It wasn't broken out asbestos in
13 as the Navy historically as to the hazards o f
|
14 1934 we know is dangerous in textiles as opposed
14 asbestos?
|
15 to insulation?
15
A. My understanding from having worked
16
A. I don't understand the question. I
16 with the United States N avy and having reviewed |
17 think it's a couple parts.
17 documents that the N avy was the foremost source
18
Q. Let me re-ask it. By the mid-1930s,
18 o f 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
5
21 insulation presented a risk o f 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 o f information about the hazards 1
24 1960s to 1970 GE health and safety professionals
24 o f asbestos, what do you mean?
|
25 would have been aware o f the studies that were
25
A. I would say die Navy was an expert in
|
Page 207
Page 209 f
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Maijorie A. Drucker -D irect
|
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
jj
4 earliest point in time that you believe GE or
4 the Brown article we saw, right, in part?
f
5 any GE health and safety professionals were
5
A. Well, in part. A s I said, I worked
f
6 aware that asbestos as in the same materials
6 with the Navy and I'm aware, I worked for the
J
7 that we saw in the 1943 minimum requirements
7 Navy and I'm aware o f their tradition in health
|
8 document posed a risk o f asbestos disease?
8 and safety. I was an industrial hygienist at a
f
9
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection. She's not
9 shipyard.
|
10
being offered in that area.
10 Q. The Navy had a whole lot more on its
f
11
A. You're saying disease. That's very
11 plate than GE did?
|
12 broad.
12 A. I don't know w hat you mean by that.
13
Q. Asbestosis?
13
Q. GE was making product, some o f which
;
14
A. Td say it wasn't a secret. As we
14 contained asbestos. The Navy was involved in
\
15 said, 1934, mid-thirties it was known in die
15 building ships, fighting, transporting troops,
l
16 medical and scientific community that high
16 supplying troops. It had a lot o f things going
5
17 levels o f asbestos dust could cause asbestosis.
17 on other than asbestos, right?
1
18
Q. From whatever the source?
18
MR. SPEZIALI: Sort o f like GE, you
19
A. High levels o f 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.
22 requirements document they were talking about
22
A. When you're saying the Navy had a lot
23 asbestos as in pipe covering, right?
23 on its plate, I don't know what you mean. I
24
A. Yes, they said as in pipe covering.
24 don't know if you're being funny or not.
|
25
Q. So GE health and safety specialists
25
Q. Pm not being funny at all. I usually
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
S3C Pagn206to29)
Page 210
Page 212 s
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 telegraph my jokes.
2
Go ahead.
3
Did you say the Navy was the foremost
3
A. The people, who? The people?
4 source o f information about asbestos?
4
Q. You said GE had measures in place to
5
A. Yes, the Navy was a highly
5 reduce the risk o f asbestos disease?
6 sophisticated customer with a long-standing
6
A. I said the health and safety
7 tradition in health and safety and knowledge.
7 professionals devised to prevent asbestosis
8
Q. Would you say that GE was highly
8 among other diseases.
9 sophisticated with respect to its knowledge
9
Q. To prevent asbestos diseases among
10 about asbestos?
10 whom are you talking about, GE employees?
11
A. I'd say that GE health and safety
11
A. W ell, we're talking about GE
12 professionals w ere knowledgable about the
12 employees on GE premises. That's what they had
13 knowledge o f the constituents o f their products
13 control of. So the GE health and safety
14 and they took measures so that their people,
14 professionals who had control o f GE employees on
15 their employees on their premises could work
15 premises devised certain safety measures.
16 safely w ith that, including other materials.
16
Q. And was one o f those measures letting
17
Q. Okay.
17 the people who were being exposed to asbestos
18
A. That was ju st one of hundreds of
18 know that they were at risk o f asbestos disease
.
19 thousands o f materials that they handled safely.
19 so that the people could take measures to make
20
MR. KRISTAL: Are you offering Ms.
20 sure they would reduce their exposure?
21
Drucker with respect to warnings issues?
21
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
22
MR. SPEZIALI: Am I offering her as to
22
Q. The GE employees?
23
warnings issues? No.
23
A. The GE health and safety employee
24
Q. Is it your opinion to a reasonable
24 professionals were the people who were
25 degree o f certainty that by 1934 GE health and
25 knowledgable, and they devised measures so
Page 211
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 safety specialists were aware the use of
3 respirators could reduce the risk o f asbestos
4 disease?
5
MR. SPEZIALI: 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 w ould have been aware.
13
Q. AtGE?
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
22 they were using was potentially hazardous in 23 terms o f them reducing their risk o f the
24 disease?
25
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection. Relevance.
Page 213 ;
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
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 o f 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 o f 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,
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
54 (Pages 210 to 213)
Page 214
Page 216 f
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
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 o f procedures
4 for their betterment they should use these
f
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
1
8 the health and safety professionals that go in
8 measures to protect people for employers to
j
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
t
11
rve worked for over 30 years doing this
11 controlling.
|
12 kind o f 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 ju st telling
14
(Whereupon, there is a recess in the
l
15 people about different kind o f things. W hat you
15 proceedings.)
|
16 have to do is try and engineer problem s out and
16
(Whereupon, Various Documents are
17 control the source, and that has to be done by
17 marked Plaintiffs 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
I
21
Q. I wasn't saying informing people o f
21 Identification.)
22 the hazard was the only measure. But you
22
Q. rve marked as Drucker Exhibit 4 a
23 certainly believe that is one o f the measures?
23 paper clipped group o f documents. On the first
24
A. Certainly from what we know today
24 page in handwriting it says "Radcliffe - please
f
25 it's a part o f health and safety perhaps such as we
25 note stamp on back o f each page." Could you tell
1
Page 215
Page 217 1
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
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.
J
4 earliest that that was a part o f health and
4 W hat I did was, about three or four weeks ago, I
1
5 safety programs?
5 visited Harvard and Radcliffe libraries to look
1
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 o f the Drinker files.
8
Q. You don't believe it was a part of
8 So this collection comes from Radcliffe Library,
1
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
l
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 o f an overall
12 collection that's housed there.
5
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
t
16
Q. Sure. Go ahead. I wish you would
16 copies made and then I sent them on to M r.
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.
i
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 o f documents you
21 works, the way to protect people is to put
21 would select out o f a larger group o f documents?
j
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
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
55"(Pages24to217)
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 list o f some o f the articles that we collected
Page 218
Page 220 "i
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
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 w e 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 o f 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 ju st saw
12
A. It took a lot o f her attention. When
13 one this week, an article in here, some
13 you look at her body o f 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 o f ju st --
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 o f 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 Elm ira 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.
Page 219
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
Q. O f course.
3
(Whereupon, the witness peruses the
4 document.)
5
A. Yes. Thank you.
6
Q. M y question was, what is your
7 understanding o f what that document is?
8
A. Dr. Alice Hamilton visited the Elmira
9 Foundry Company and wrote about it in this
10 report.
11
Q. And sent it to GE; is that your
12 understanding? L et me back up a second. How do
13 you know Alice Hamilton wrote that?
14
A. W ell, I found this in her, I found it
15 in the Alice Ham ilton collection at Radcliffe,
16 and, I was going through the papers, and, as I
17 was going through the papers I noticed that the
18 type face, she had a typewriter she prepared a
19 lot o f reports on. It was in the folder for
20 Alice Hamilton. The type face was the same. The
21 handwriting in the corrections is the same. So I
22 believe this is an Alice Hamilton survey report.
23
Q. And it's also your report that that
24 Alice Hamilton 1929 Elmira survey report was
25 forwarded at or around the date o f the report to
Page 221
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
A. Why did I copy this?
3
Q. Yes.
4
A. As I said, it was part of the Alice
5 Hamilton documents in the GE collection, and, to
6 me, it was very important to show that not only
7 was she visiting GE facilities, but that she was
8 very, paying very much attention to the leading
9 occupational disease at the time that related to
10 silica, silicosis. So it put in context for me
11 the general idea that silica was a leading
12 disease at the time, industrial disease, I
13 should say.
14
Q. And the import o f that with respect
15 to opinions you have in this case is what, that
16 people shouldn't have been paying attention to
17 asbestos?
18
A. Well, I think that it puts into
19 context what was really, what was going on in
20 industry and in the health and safety at the
21 time. The leading occupational illness o f the
22 time was silicosis. Emphasis was put on silica.
23 And it's not that no heed should be paid to
24 asbestos, but it wasn't, it ju st was not as big
25 a deal as silicosis and possibly other
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
56 (Pages 218 to 221)
Page 222
Page 224 !
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
M aijorie A. Drucker -Direct
2 industrial diseases that were prevalent at the
2
Q. So as o f 1929, at least from this
3 time.
3 Alice Hamilton survey o f the GE fbundiy, 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
i
6
opinions in this case. The reason we
6 product could be exposed to the dust being
i
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 o f the Alice Hamilton materials.
9
A. Could you say as o f this date?
i
10
Q. Do you know who AJ Lanza (phonetic)
10
Q. 1929.
11 was?
11
A. It was no secret. I would think
I
12
A. I'm familiar with a Dr. Lanza, yes.
12 that any sophisticated health and safety
1
13
Q. Okay. W ho was Dr. Lanza?
13 professional, medical people at the tim e it
f
14
A. For more completeness I would refer
14 would make sense that you segregate areas.
i
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?
t
19 the GE folks you interviewed?
19 A. W e know from this report the premier
20
A. I certainly got that from some o f 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 o f 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 o f time.
25 ju st for the record.
Page 223
Page 225
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
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 o f the
8 been placed to keep from two men the dust which
8 histoiy o f the Harvard School o f 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 1 wanted to supplement the
13
A. I sure do.
13 collection w ith to make it more complete.
14 Q. And that was a well-known industrial
14 Q. W hen you say "not in our collection,"
15 hygiene principle o f 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 feat I mentioned to you
17 people who were not involved with dusty work
17 before, fee index listing has a number o f
18 wouldn't be exposed to the dust being created by
18 documents which I've contributed, which some o f
19 others?
19 them had been contributed by fee 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 Plaintiffs Drucker Exhibit 6 For
*"
'l -
~ -- - .... " '*"
... .................57 (Pages 222 to 225)
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
Page 226
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 Identification.)
3
Q. This is a videotape marked Exhibit 6 .
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
A. Yes, I did. There's a Men and Bolts
3 at War. It's a story o f GE in W orld War II.
Page 228
4 It says, "Electric Nation PBS"?
5
A. Yes.
4
Q. Anything about industrial hygiene?
5
A. I think it puts into perspective
6
Q. W hat is that?
6 that, you know, GE as a company worked with many
7
A. I highly recommend this. This is a
7 type o f health and safety situations. They had
8 video th at was made o f a program, and it's about
8 many things they had to do. Men and Bolts at War
9 the lighting o f America and about the history of
9 deals with GE's contribution to the war effort
10 lighting in Am erica from the turn o f the last
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 w hat "Electric Nation" means,
13
Q. The question was whether it had
14 and it's, it shows fantastic growth, and some o f
14 anything to do with industrial hygiene?
15 the origination o f electricity and major works
15
A. Well, I think in terms o f the
16 in its generation and its transformation were GE
16 spectrum o f w hat you can see GE got into the
17 people.
17 observation that the health and safety
18
Q. Does it in any way discuss industrial
18 professionals were very premier, and it ju st
19 hygiene?
19 speaks to me in general about the quality o f 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
2 2 say it doesn't.
22 Men and Bolts discusses GE, discusses hygiene at
23
Q. Does it discuss asbestos?
23 any level?
24
A. N ot 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.
Page 227
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 asbestos, GE knowledge of asbestos?
3
A. N ot that I recall.
4
Q. Okay. W hat relevance does it have to
5 any opinions you may have in this case?
6
M R. SPEZIALI: I'll answer that. It's
7
relevant to who GE is.
8
MR. KRISTAL: Okay.
9
MR. SPEZIALI: You know, the thing
10
about other things that they have to do and
11 w o n y about, sort o f like the Navy.
12
(W hereupon, Handwritten Note is
13 marked P laintiffs Drucker Exhibit 7 For
14 Identification.)
15
Q. Drucker 7 is a little note "Men and
16 Bolts at W ar (phonetic), GE History, Betts'
17 Power Point Exhibits"?
18
M R. KAPSHANDY: No, deposition.
19
M R. KRISTAL: I'm sorry.
20
MR. KAPSHANDY: That's my handwriting.
21
MR. KRISTAL: That's deposition and
22
exhibit?
23
MR. KAPSHANDY: Right.
24
Q. You've reviewed the book Men and
25 Bolts?
Page 229 :
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
A. Not directly. But as somebody who has
3 looked at the rich history and GE being on the
4 forefront o f health and safety, it measures to
5 me they were so on the forefront and all the
6 contributions they made to the war effort and to
7 this countiy winning this war. It's ju st part to
8 me o f a story.
9
Q. What does that have to do with
10 measuring with industrial hygiene? You can have
11 a company that can do what you ju st said and
12 have a great industrial high program or have a
13 bad industrial hygiene program.
14
A. I don't know about that. W hat I've
15 been able to ascertain, GE had a premier
16 program. They were on the forefront of health
17 and safety. This, to me, was just, it directed
18 me to the contributions that GE made in helping
19 win World W ar II and the types o f material and
20 equipment produced and how it helped allow this
21 country to prevail.
22
Q. What's that got to do with industrial
23 hygiene?
24
A. As a professional, when I look at
25 organizations and I do analyses, surveys,
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
58 (Pages 226 to 229)
Page 230
Page 232 |
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
|
2 studies o f different organizations, I think I've
2 view this company.
|
3 seen over the course o f my career that companies
3
Q. If you had ju st 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 m eant 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 o f a bunch o f pieces that
9 effort over the years how they've been in the
9 fit together, a bunch o f information that all
10 forefront, and it just, to me, it was ju st
10 points in the same direction. It's ju st part o f
|
11 another piece o f the GE picture.
11 the picture o f the company that is GE.
12
Q. Other than being another piece o f the
12 Q. And is there any part o f that book
|
13 GE picture generally as to what the General
13 that discusses any aspect o f industrial hygiene?
f
14 Electric Company was about, it had nothing to do
14 A. N ot that I could cite right now.
15 w ith 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. If s actually a great book. It's 1976
18 that?
18 to 1986 GE history, and thafs the history of
19 A. W ell, 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
I
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 ifs
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 m ajor contribution in World War II and things
25
It's also, it's a rich history o f a
Page 231
Page 233 i
1
M aijorieA.Drucker -Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 that they made and the descriptions o f how the
2 very diversified company, made hundreds if not
3 factories were run around the clock and ju st
3 thousands o f types o f products over the years,
4 how the output was continuous and the types, the
4 and it provides a lot o f good background
5 varied amounts o f 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 w ith thousands o f types of substances, many
7 hygiene, right?
8 o f 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 o f the overall picture of this company.
10 and safety, and this was part o f 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 m ajor contribution to W orld W ar II 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 o f your question, I'd
15 A. W hat I've been able to gather about
15 have to see some documentation on that.
16 GE from m any variety o f sources, this was one
16 Q. Have you ever seen some x-ray
17 more piece o f a picture o f 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 w ar effort in W orld W ar n .
20 medical surveillance programs you discussed in
21
Q. A nd 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 W orld 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
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
59 (Pages 230 to 233)
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
Page 234
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
Page 236 1
2 equipment as o f 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 o f 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 contributory, 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. W hat is Exhibit 3?
22
MR. SPEZIALI: No, not when you're
23
A. It's called "Asbestos Libraiy
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.
Page 235
Page 237 ;
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
Q. And that's what that last note --
2
MR. SPEZIALI: Ask your next question.
3
A. Exhibits to his deposition. So that's
3
MR. KRISTAL: If you promise you're
4 w hat I would say, that is his deposition
4
not going to do that.
5 exhibits.
5
MR. SPEZIALI: Let me hear the
6
MR. KAPSHANDY: Deposition and
6
question.
7
exhibits.
7
Q. When you said it was contributory,
8
THE WITNESS: I'm sorry.
8 contributory to what?
9
Q. You read his deposition?
9
A. Contributory to general information
10
A. We went over that before, yes, I did.
10 for me. I was asked to read it. I looked at it.
11 I had an opportunity to read his deposition.
11 It was o f interest. Dr. Betts had been a
12
Q. Do you disagree with anything he
12 physician and industrial hygienist with the
13 expressed in his deposition?
13 United States Navy.
14
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection. She's not
14
Q. So it was contributory on your
15
here as a witness against another witness,
15 knowledge on the subject?
16
nor is she here relevant to all the areas
16 A. To certain information that he
17
Dr. Betts testified to.
17 related.
18
Q. Do you disagree with anything he
18
Q. Okay. Such as what?
19 testified to in his deposition?
19
A. I'd have to look at the transcript.
20
A. It's kind o f broad. If you can focus
20
Q. Okay. Without looking at the
21 m e Td be happy to answer.
21 transcript you cannot say w hat it was in
22
Q. With regard to his testimony of stark
22 particular that his deposition helped to
23 knowledge with regard to asbestos disease, would 24 you disagree?
23 c o n tr ib u te 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
A. I would have to look at the
25
Q. Okay.
PRJORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
60 (Pages 234 to 237)
Page 238
Page 240 }
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker -Direct
1
2
MR. KRISTAL: I'm just reading from
2 standards with respect to exposure to asbestos,
3
Exhibit 1. "Ms. Drucker may testify to the
3 including TLVs and OSHA-promulgated permissible |
4
state-of-the-art with respect to asbestos
4 exposure limits?
5
in the scientific and industrial hygiene
5
A. Okay. If we take TLVs at OSHA,
1
6
communities, and in particular die
6 permissible exposure limits going back to 1946,
|
7
evolution o f knowledge regarding the
7 the ACGIH, the American Conference o f Industrial 1
8
effects o f 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."
11
As I understand it, she's not
10 concentration and changed the name to threshold
5
11 limit value, and that was 500 particles per
f
12
testifying that broadly, or is she? I
12 cubic foot. In 1968, which the ACGIH then
I
13
thought earlier we were not begging off,
13 proposed a level o f 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
16
respect to asbestos and the Navy and GE.
15 that 12 fiber per cc level in 1972, and that was
16 a permissible exposure. In 1972, OSHA lowered
f
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
20
talk about industry in general, but, I
19 two fibers per cc. In 1986, OSHA again lowered
20 that to 0.2 fibers per cc, and, then, in 1994
f
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.
Page 239
Page 241 !
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 scientific and industrial hygiene communities,
2
Q. Do you know the history o f the
|
3 and in particular as to the evolution o f 4 knowledge regarding the effects o f asbestos
3 promulgation o f the MAC for asbestos by the
!
4 ACGIH?
|
5 exposure and its control during the period
5
A. Well, I've seen documents in the
f
6 relevant to this case other than with respect to 7 the Navy and GE?
6 documentation for threshold limit values over
7 the years.
f
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?
f
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 tim e, which would
J
13 N avy 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?
16
A. As I sit here today, I have not
17 formulated one.
15
A. Which they adopted was the five
16 million particles per cubic foot on the Dreesen
\
17 study.
18
Q. Okay. "She may also testify regarding
18
Q. Anything else?
1
19 the evolution o f various standards for exposure
19 A. N ot 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."
22
Do you have an opinion on that?
23
A. Well, if you ask me a question I
24 could answer it for you.
21
Q. And that was total dust?
|
22
A. Well, you know, I've seen it both
|
23 ways. I think at different periods o f time it
|
24 was thought to be either asbestos because in the
I
25
Q. Could you tell me the evolution o f
25 proceedings, I think in 1946 they broke it out
|
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
61 (Pages 238 to 241)
Page 242
Page 244
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
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 o f 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. 1 don't know how else to answer that
8 time.
8 question.
9
Q. W ould 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 o f asbestos dust you should wear a
11
A. It's the employer who's responsible
12 respirator when you were around asbestos?
12 for determining potentially hazardous exposures.
13
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
13
Q. Who says?
14
A. I'm not sure I understand your
14 A. Who says?
15 question.
15
Q. Who said in the 1940s?
16
Q. Sure. I'm asking you if you have an
16 A. OSHA says what we know now. And
17 opinion as to whether GE knew by the early 1950s 17 before OSHA came into being there was state
18 that if you didn't know what the air measure was
18 health departments that said the employer has
19 you should wear a respirator when you were
19 the responsibility, the employer is the person
20 around asbestos dust?
20 who's in control o f the premises, who's in
21
A. Well, GE health and safety
21 control o f the employee and who can exercise
22 professionals looked into a myriad of
22 control over any kind o f potential exposures to
23 potentially hazardous materials. Any material
23 protect the person in place.
24 can be hazardous. It depends how you work with
24
Q. In your opinion, the manufacturer o f
25 it safely.
25 an asbestos-containing product has no
Page 243
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
Now, in the case o f asbestos, the
3 health and safety professionals would have
4 looked into a devised method so that people
5 could work with it safely, just as they did with
6 all o f the other hundreds o f thousands of
7 materials.
8
Q. My question is, do you have an
9 opinion as to whether or not GE was aware by the
10 early 1950s that when you were around dust that
11 contained asbestos and didn't know the
12 measurement that you should w ear a respirator?
13
MR. SPEZIALI: Same objection.
14 A. W ell, I answered that. The health and
15 safety professionals at GE would have devised
16 programs to insure the safety o f their employees
17 on their premises, that which they controlled,
18 and, the health and safety people would have
19 taken appropriate measures, whether it was
20 tests, to determine whatever it was involved,
21 they would take protective measures for their
22 people on their premises, that which they had
23 control over.
24
Q. Did GE in the 1950s know that you
25 should wear a respirator if you were around dust
Page 245
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 responsibility to warn o f the hazard of
3 asbestos?
4
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
5
A. The manufacturer o f a product?
6
Q. Yes.
7
A. The manufacturer --
8
Q. Let me ask --
9
A. You asked me a question.
10 Q. Go ahead.
11
A. The manufacturer o f a product -
12 Q. Right.
13
A. - Has responsibility, the
14 manufacturer o f a product to leam about that
15 which it knows about its product.
16 Q. Warn whom? W arn. N ot leam.
17
MR. SPEZIALI: Same objection.
18 A . The m anufacturer o f a product has a
19 responsibility to warn.
20
Q. Whom?
21
A. W e're talking in the abstract, and I
22 need to know which different type o f products.
23 I'd say in general those people who may
24 encounter that type o f hazard from their
25 product.
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
62 (Pages 242 to 245)
Page 246
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
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 o f 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
M R. SPEZLALI: 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 o f
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? M aybe you can clarify
16
17 that.
17
18
Q. Sure. 1 said does the manufacturer of
18
19 a product which the m anufacturer 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 o f the
23
24 product that's being placed.
24
25
A. Warn about what kind o f dangers?
25
Page 248 ;
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
Drucker testify about an employer's
l
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.
i
MR. SPEZIALI: Because you insist over
t
my objection to take her to areas she's not
going to testify about. She is going to
testify about the responsibility o f the
|
United States Navy, what they published and
f
what they said they were going to do in
1
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
i
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
f
you.
1
Page 247
Page 249 i
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
Q. Any kind o f dangers.
2
Q. What is your opinion as to what the
3
A. Let me finish my answer.
3 United States Navy said it was going to do with
4
MR. SPEZIALI: Go ahead.
4 respect to asbestos? Do you have an opinion?
5
A. Warn about what? The manufacturer can
5
A. When?
i
6 warn about its own type o f 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, Til try to answer
8 other kinds o f things that m ay or may not go in
8 it.
?
9 situations in which they have no control over?
9
Q. I ju st did.
10 One manufacturer, in over 30 years, I've never
10 A. I don't understand your question.
*
11 heard o f one manufacturer warning about another
11 It's huge.
12 manufacturer's product. 1 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 U nited States Navy said
14
Q. Do you know what the legal
14 about what it was going to do about asbestos?
15 responsibility is o f an equipment manufacturer
15
A. At any point in time?
16 to warn about the hazards o f 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. W ell, if you say no, then w e move on.
19
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
19 A. The N avy said a lot o f things over
20
MR. KRISTAL: I'm ju st 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. M y question is, do you have an
23
irrelevant. Number one, she's not here as
23 opinion as to whether or not the Navy said
24
an expert in law.
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
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
63"5^ ^ s"m 61co249)
a v e ussr qnmoiT.
3
A. Well, I have various opinions, and,
4 if you ask me different questions about
5 different types o f situations over different
6 periods o f 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 w hat 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 w hat the U nited 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?
lilv !, itv' . i t ..0.1 V i U v \ . V t s , v.t..
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 o f 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 o f the Navy
15
GE had an option o f 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
Page 251
1
Marjorie A. Drucker -Direct
2
A. I don't understand your question.
3
Q. I'm ju st rephrasing what Mr.
4 Speziali said was the subject. He said, "She's
5 going to testify about the responsibility o f 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. W ell, it's a very general question,
13 and I'll answ er it as best I can. The United
14 States N avy w as a highly sophisticated entity.
15 It was a highly sophisticated customer o f many
16 places, including General Electric. They had the
17 ability and responsibility to maintain and
18 control their ow n prem ises and employees, and
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 very tight control over
24 its own environments. I'm familiar with that
25 having worked for the Navy as a civilian in a
Page 253
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
you mean?
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 Navy allow --
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 N avy did what the Navy wanted
18 to do.
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 o f warning about the hazards o f 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
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
64 (Pages 250 to 253)
Page 254
Page 256 |
1
Marjorie A. Drucker -Direct
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
j!
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. M y question to you is whether or not
5 decided what they were going to do. They decided j
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
;j
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
i
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 o f a ship, that is part
13 whether or not the Navy would or wouldn't have
14 o f a Navy installation onshore is done by spec and
14 allowed a warning on asbestos-containing
;
15 every step o f the way is approved by w hat 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?
f
18 the other w hether 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 very 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. HI 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
;
Page 255
1
A
Page 257
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
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 o f 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
5 they be allowed to put a warning on any product
5
Q. Any sort o f warning.
6 that contained asbestos or product that was used
6
A. Any sort o f warning?
7 with a product that contained asbestos?
7
Q. In a manual, on the product, on a
8
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
8 sign on a product, any kind o f warning.
;
9
A. You're talking about a manufacturer
9
A. I'm saying that anything that is
10 and then you're talking about another type o f
10 anywhere is approved by the Navy, but, I can
j
11 thing that's not a manufacturer.
11 tell you that the Navy would not allow any kind
|
12
Q. I'm talking about a company that
12 o f sign or anything that might be considered
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.
1
16 A. W hat kind o f warning?
16
Q. Well, certainly it was in accord
?
17
Q. Any kind o f warning about the hazards
17 with -
1
18 o f asbestos.
18 A. Somebody couldn't ju st voluntarily
19 A. All I know is that when you deal with
19 say, you know, we're going to ju st 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
2 2 Everything is done the w ay the Navy wants it,
23 they allowed you to do.
23 and, it's the Navy way or no way. It's the Navy
24
Q. And if you don't know if anybody
24 who has control o f these places.
25 asked, I take it then you don't know whether the
25
Q. Certainly it would be in accord with
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
65 (Pages 254 to 257)
Page 262
Page 264 |
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker -D irect
l
2 allow something that would be in accordance with
2
MR. SPEZIALI: W hat
3 Naval principles and operations."
3
asbestos-containing products?
4
My question is, are you saying that a
4
MR. KRISTAL: Any asbestos-containing
|
5 warning about the hazards o f asbestos on an
5
product.
|
6 asbestos-containing product or with a product on
6
A. For a period o f time GE wire and
I
7 which asbestos-containing products were used
7 cable had a warning on it starting around 1972
1
8 would not be in accord with Naval principles and
8 in response to some tests that were done on the
*
9 operations?
9 wire and cable and also in response to OSHA.
10
A. As I said, everything done for the
10
Q. Okay. How about otherwise?
11 Navy is done the Navy way. But a warning doesn't
11
MR. SPEZIALI: How about otherwise
|
12 tell somebody how to work with something safely. A 12
what?
|
13 warning doesn't convey what the person is
13
MR, KRISTAL: There was no GE warnings I
14 supposed to do. Everything depends on various
14 on any piece o f equipment on which
15 situations. It's the health and safety
15 asbestos-containing products went other
16 professionals at the site who are in control o f
16 than what you j ust said.
17 the place, in this case the Navy who's
17
MR. SPEZIALI: Okay.
18 responsible.
18 A. W ell, a metal product is not an
1
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
20 types o f products that GE made that contained
g
21 another employer's workplace, let alone die
21 asbestos. The wire or cable o f which was sold in
5
22 United States Navy, and start telling them what
22 1980 did have a warning for a period o f time,
23 to do and police their, the other employees.
23 and, then, the other two types o f products,
24 It's not the way the world works.
24 textolite and genol, were phased out in 1973 to
25
Q. So are you saying that a warning
25 1972 respectively. So there would be no reason
i
Page 263
Page 265 %
1
M aijorieA.Drucker -Direct
1
Maijorie A. Drucker -D irect
|
2 about the hazards o f asbestos is not in accord
2 to do so.
1
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?
1
6 Naval principles, what they allow by spec, what
6
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection. Go ahead.
7 they allow on a ship is what they allow. I don't
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. If s my understanding that GE stopped
10 can dream up some sort o f thing that they think
10 selling cable to the Navy in the mid-fifties.
f
11 should be done. Things are done in the Navy
11
Q. And it's your understanding that if
12 according to the Navy way. That's the way it is
12 GE had put a warning on its wire and cable in
13 and that's the way it works.
13 the 1950s the Navy would have taken it off?
1
14
Q. So a warning is in accord with Naval
14
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection. She never
15 principles and operations or is not in accord?
15
said that.
16
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
16 A. I never said that.
t
17
A. Well, ifs, what the Navy says is
17 Q. The N avy wouldn't have allowed it?
18 acceptable in accord is what is done on the Navy
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 o f the
20
Q. And I'm asking you, if GE had
21 workplace, they're in control o f the premises,
21 requested o f the Navy that they wanted to put an
22 they're in control o f the people.
2 2 asbestos warning on its w ire and cable product,
23
Q. Did GE ever place a warning on any o f
23 ifs your opinion that the Navy would not have
24 its asbestos-containing products or any
24 allowed that?
25 equipment on which any equipment went non-Navy? 25
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
67 (Pages 262 to 265)
Page 266
Page 268 '
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
A. If we look back in time at their
2
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
3 role, there would have been no reason. We know
3
A. W e 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 o f 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 o f asbestos
12 allowed to be on the premises was that which
12 disease from the use of 100 percent asbestos
13 w ould 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 w ire 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. KR1STAL: 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.
Page 267
Page 269 :
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 in the 1950s. I'm asking if it's your opinion if
2
Q. If a manufacturer o f 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 o ff 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 o f 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
2 0 what they w ant and how they w ant 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
23 be, what would stay on that ship and what would
24 its wire and cable product that contained
24 be allowed to stay on that ship, and that is
25 asbestos?
25 that which is speced out as far as speced out
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
68 (Pages 266 to 269)
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
Page 270 1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
Page 272 :?
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
i
6
your answer.
6 may or may not accompany a piece o f 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
I
9 is approved by the Navy.
9 supplied w ith its turbines technical manuals for
X
10
Q. I f there was on a ship a bag o f 100
10 Navy turbines?
11 percent asbestos cement that w as 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,
1
13 the m anufacturer o f that 100 percent asbestos
13 then GE, you know, they worked it out with the
f
14 cement in the 1930s, forties, fifties or sixties
14 Navy, would supply it. But that was done at the
\
15 had requested o f the Navy that they want to put
15 request o f the Navy. It was part o f a contract.
16 a warning about asbestos on that bag o f 100
16 It was something that they paid for.
17 percent asbestos cement, is it your opinion that
17 Q. I w ant you to assume that the Navy
18 the Navy w ould not have allowed that?
18 requested G E to supply technical manuals with
19
MR. SPEZIALI: Same objection.
19 its materials. All right?
*
20
A. The Navy would allow what they allow
20
A. That's not the case always, but if
21 by spec.
21 you want me to assume it for now.
22
Q. And I'm asking you if a manufacturer
22
Q. Is it sometimes the case?
23 requested to do that would the Navy not have
23
A. My understanding is it's not, a
24 allowed them to do that?
24 manual is not always requested from the
25
A. You're talking about the
25 manufacturer, in this case GE. It depended on
|
i
Page 271
Page 273 |
1
M aijorie A. Drucker - Direct
1
Maijorie A. Drucker - Direct
2 manufacturer?
2 the contract that the Navy had with GE. If they
\
3
Q. I'm talking about the manufacturer.
3 paid extra they got a manual. Whatever they
4
A. O f that particular cement?
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
I
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.
10 by the Navy. I've said that over and over. I
10
Q. IfG E 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 o f cement
12 the hazards o f asbestos insulation that we know
13 that's on the ship to be used for repairs, you
13 about on our turbine, are you saying the Navy
\
14 don't know whether the N avy w ould or wouldn't
14 would not have allowed that?
15 have approved it, the use o f the warning at any
15
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
16 point in tim e?
16 A. W hen you say "a warning," what kind
17
MR. SPEZIALI: Same objection.
17 o f warning are you talking about? A warning
18 A. W ell, as regards to the manufacture
18 doesn't tell somebody how to work with something
19 o f that asbestos-containing cement product,
19 safely. W hat 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
23 o f factors that can be involved. There is no one
24 that have to be followed, the Navy only allows
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
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
69 (Pages 270 to 273)
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
Page 274 1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
Page 276
2 would apply in various situations. In fact, that
3 can be downright dangerous.
4
You can have situations where you're
2 people who have control o f the environment are 3 the ones that can look at a health and safety 4 situation in its totality. Nothing can be taken
5 telling somebody the wrong thing because they
5 out o f context and just looked at as a single
6 can be working w ith things that could interact
6 type o f item. There are a myriad o f 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 o f 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 o f 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
t
16
M R. SPEZIALI: She has to catch an
16
why. Some I think we're not going to have (
17 airplane.
17
any problem. Some I ju st can't sit here and
18 Q. I f GE had requested o f the Navy that
18
agree to.
19 they w ant to put information in their technical
19
MR. KRISTAL: It will be reflected in
2 0 manual that the use o f asbestos-containing
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?
23
it will list the request and the page.
24
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection,
24
MR. SPEZIALI: I'm probably not going
25
A. That the use o f their turbines may
25
to agree to all o f them.
Page 275
1
Marjorie A . Drucker - Direct
2 cause asbestos?
3
Q. Listen to m y question. You missed my
4 question. GE w anted to put information in the
5 technical manual that the use of
6 asbestos-containing insulation on its turbine
7 could pose a hazardous disease. Are you saying
8 that the Navy would not have allowed GE to do
9 that?
10
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
11
A. I never heard of one manufacturer
12 warn o f another manufacturer.
13 Q. I'm not asking if you've heard of
14 that.
15 A. GE wouldn't be privy to all the ins
16 and outs. It's absurd.
17 Q. I'm asking i f the Navy would or would
18 not have allowed that, in your opinion?
19
MR. SPEZIALI: Objection.
20
A. Maybe, m aybe not.
21
Q. Okay.
22
A. What I can say is that I have never
23 seen one manufacturer warn about another 24 manufacturer's product. That may or may not, as
25 I said, the health and safety professionals
Page 277
1
Marjorie A. Drucker - Direct
2
MR. KRISTAL: That's fine. You will
3
have the universe o f what I requested
4
through the transcript.
5
MR. SPEZIALI: For purposes o f teeing
6
up a motion we can go that route. That's
7
fine.
8
Q. Thank you. I hope it wasn't as
9 horrible as it could have been.
10
A. Very nice to meet you.
11
(Deposition Concluded.
12
Time Noted: 5:10 p.m.)
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
70 (Pages 274 to 277)
Page 278
1
?
3
4
5 C E R T I F I C A T IO N OF WITNESS
0
7
I have read the foregoing transcript o f my
8
deposition and find it to be true and
9
accurate to the best o f 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
Mv Commission Expires
21
22
23 24
25
Page 279
1
2
CERTIFICATE
J1
4 STATE OF NEW YORK )
5 COUNTY OF NEW YORK )
0
7
I, ELEANOR SEKULIC, a Notary Public o f the
8 State o f 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 o f her testimony, the said
13 testimony was taken stenographically by myself
14 and then transcribed. The within transcript is a
15 true record o f 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 o f any of
20 the Counsel.
21
22
Dated:
23 24
25
ELEANOR SEKULIC
PRIORITY-ONE COURT REPORTING, INC. (718) 983-1234
1
j
i
1 i
V
/
71 (Pages 278 to 279)