Document q2qvZKGpo14QOZ2x0JowV12K

FILE NAME: Johnson & Johnson (JAJ) DATE: 1998 Mar 16 DOC#: JAJ 121 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Letter from Mehaffy & Weber Law firm to J&J RE Coker vs. Bill Thames Pharmacy lncv et al ONE ALIEN CENTER co a lla s, surre 1200 HOUSTON, KAS 7702 TELEPHONE (711) 6SS-ttC0 F M |7 l3 )6 5 M K 2 2 MEHAFFY & W EBER A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION ATTORNEYS AT LAW 2615 CALDER AVENUE POST OFFICE BOX te BEAUMONT, TEXAS 77704 TELEPHON (^09) B35*5oi1 FAX (409) 6*5177 [4 0 9 ! 835*5729 0 so* ies_ 1006 GREEN AVENUE P ORANG, TEXAS I/63 TELEPHONE (09} 886-7766 FM (409)886*7790 March 16, 1998 Re: NO. D-157746; Darlene Coker, and spouse Roy Coker vs. Bill Thames Pharmacy Inc., et al; M&W File No. 3125-11 Mr, John C. O'Shaughnessy Assistant General Counsel Johnson & Johnson One Johnson & Johnson Plaza New Brunswick, N.J. 08933-7002 Dear Mr. O'Shaughnessy. On Thursday, Msrch 12, 1998 and Monday March 163 1998,1spoke with Dr. Alice Bloundt about the possibility of retaining her as an expert in the above entitled case. Dr. Bloundt s a geologist and mineralogist who has written extensively on talc and asbestos contamination in commercial talc preparations. Dr. Bloundt was formerly a professor at Rutgers University, but is now employed by Piuess-Staufer industries, Inc., a mining concern in Proctor, Vermont. Although Dr. Bloundt seemed less than ecstatic about the idea o f testifying in a legal proceeding, she agreed to consult in the case if we desired her to do so, but stated that in her opinion, commercial talcum powder preparations including Johnson & Johnson Baby Pow'dcr contain trace amounts of asbestos. However, Dr. Bloundt said that all powders she tested, including Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder were well below acceptable limits (as defined by OSHA) and that she considered Vermont talc as sonic of the purest unc avauaoje. in acioition, Dr. Bloundt stated that she did not think that whatever amount o f asbestos that might be present in baby powder was harmful, that the concern about talc was blown out of proportion, and that she has a very high opinion of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. Although she did not elaborate, Dr. Bloundt asked whether she would be called as a witness regardless of whether she agreed to consult for us. When 1asked her why she fell that she might he called to testify, she indicated that some of her research or publications while at MW/11JB15 J&J-0049964 JN J 000064591 MEHAFFY & WEBER Mr, John O'Shaughnessy March , i99S Page 2 Rutgers were funded by Johnson &, Johnson, We might want to see if Johnson & Johnson has any records relating to funding of Dr. Bloundl's research. Please feel free to cc.itact me at any time should you have tiny questions or desire additional information on this matter. Very truly yours, MRJI/jah M. Raymond Hatcher ro t the Firm MW/l 13815 J&J-0049965 JNJ 000064592