Day 010 - 11 Jul 94 - Page 17
1 States public policy process that Benzyne has these
properties, these health consequences, when people are
2 exposed to it.
3 Q. Are there any implications for working conditions in the
production of polystyrene?
4 A. Well, there have been studies in this case. I would
refer you to the report entitled Styrene Migration into
5 Human Adipose Tissue.
6 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Can we just pause there? Are you saying
that Benzyne, being part of the production of polystyrene,
7 is linked to leukaemia?
A. Yes, I am saying that Benzyne in any case is linked to
8 leukaemia.
9 Q. But if I sit in a motor car, I am surrounded by Benzyne?
A. In a motor car, if you are smelling petroleum fumes,
10 then you would have Benzyne as a component of those fumes.
11 Q. Yes.
A. It is true that Benzyne is used as a building block
12 for a wide variety of chemicals. The central point is
that Benzyne is a known cause of leukaemia. It is a very
13 dangerous substance.
14 Q. But are you pointing to a document which says not only
Benzyne is a part of the manufacture of polystyrene but
15 Benzyne, being a part of the manufacture of polystyrene,
is linked to leukaemia? That is what I want to
16 understand.
A. OK. The point I believe you are raising is -- please
17 correct me if I am wrong -- the question that I understand
you to be asking me is: Am I saying that Benzyne is a
18 problem in the food package itself?
19 Q. No, I just want to know if Benzyne is associated
anywhere. I thought you were talking about the
20 manufacture?
A. Yes, that is correct.
21
Q. Benzyne, associated with polystyrene foam food packaging,
22 is linked to leukaemia?
A. I believe what I have said is that Benzyne is known to
23 cause leukaemia, that Benzyne -- again through your
question, as I said, Benzyne is used as a building block
24 in a lot of different chemicals and chemical products --
but that Benzyne is used in the manufacture of styrofoam
25 food packaging or, if you prefer, polystyrene foam food
packaging.
26
MR. MORRIS: Is the problem the waste produced by the
27 manufacturing process and that some Benzyne will be
emitted from production processes as waste?
28 A. Well, Benzyne is identified as a waste product in the
manufacturing process by this report. It is also
29 identified as a chemical precursor in the manufacture of
polystyrene, so that when you look at a list such as the
30 USEPA minimisation report list, you are not simply looking
-- when you look at the waste produced during the
