Day 010 - 11 Jul 94 - Page 58
1 Q. Mr. Lipsett, you do not have any scientific or technical
qualifications, do you?
2 A. I have qualifications in the technical area related to
statistical analysis. My qualifications specifically are
3 that I engaged in and trained in history and research, and
I am experienced with environmental issues and research on
4 environmental issues.
5 Q. Have you done a second degree in law?
A. Well, the requirements for that, the requirements for
6 that programme, yes, are that I examine a study.
7 Q. I expect all those disciplines teach you the need for
caution and accuracy when you come to make factual
8 statements, do they not?
A. Yes.
9
Q. This statement which you put into your report for this
10 hearing which is a hearing before a judge in court is not
fair or accurate, is it?
11 A. I would say I am aware of the inaccuracies that are
raised by the witnesses and I am aware of the ones you are
12 raising now.
13 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Did you think that McDonald's was the
largest single user of polystyrene?
14 A. The intent of that statement, if you look at it, is to
address the issue of McDonald's use of foam food
15 packaging. Now, the error that is incorporated is simply
the statement that McDonald's is the largest single user
16 of polystyrene, and since I reviewed the material now
I can see it would simply require a removal of that
17 particular line, so that it read: "McDonald's is the
largest single user of foam, polystyrene foam food
18 packaging".
19 MR. RAMPTON: Yes. There is an enormous use in the United
States, is there not, Mr. Lipsett, of polystyrene foam
20 largely in this category made of styrofoam which is used
in the construction industry, is there not?
21 A. There is foam used in construction for insulation
purposes, that is correct.
22
Q. Probably over 50 per cent of foam used in the United
23 States is used for insulation in the construction
industry, is it not?
24 A. I cannot speak to that.
25 Q. You cannot?
A. That is correct. I cannot speak to that.
26
Q. Why can you not speak to it? You are interested in the
27 disposal of inert, unbiodegradable substances such as
polystyrene foam, are you not?
28 A. Well, No. 1, the use in the construction is not the
same thing as the disposal of fastfood packaging.
29
Q. I am lost. What happens when a house is pulled down?
30 What happens to all that inert, unbiodegradable
polystyrene foam?
