Day 007 - 06 Jul 94 - Page 46


     
     1        organisations which I think some other further witnesses
              can discuss.
     2
         Q.   Stratospheric Ozone Review Group for example?
     3        A.  Yes, that would be a good example.
 
     4   Q.   SORG, for short.  Did I understand you to say that it was
              not therefore from industry scientists that you took
     5        advice?
              A.  We did not, no, not at all.
     6
         Q.   Now another statement "Issues surrounding polystyrene foam
     7        food packaging use.  The EPA national human tissue survey
              for 1986 identified styrene residues in 100 per cent of
     8        all samples of human fat tissue taken in 1988 in US.
              Styrene is a precursor to polystyrene plastic and is a
     9        contaminant in all polystyrene foam packages. Styrene is
              fat soluble and potentially can be picked up in a foam
    10        food package and transferred to the food."  I will read
              the rest of it.  "Studies published by the Foundation for
    11        Advancement of Science and Education determined the
              styrofoam drinking cups leaks styrofoam into the liquids
    12        they contain.  Cups apparently lose weight during the time
              they are in use, the theory being that different materials
    13        cause some of the foam to dissolve into the liquid
              inadvertently.  Studies showed that tea with lemon
    14        produced the most marked change in the weight of the foam
              cup."  Do you have any comments on that passage?
    15        A.  Yes, it is very difficult to understand what he is
              trying to say since he is suggesting you drink styrofoam
    16        initially.  Syrofoam drinking ---- We do have experience,
              your Lordship, and tea with lemon will solubilise
    17        polystyrene, but the polystyrene stays whole and the cup
              kind of stuck to the inner walls, but it does release some
    18        of the air bubbles.  It makes it kind of more liquidy-
              gooey so that the air bubbles are released, but it does
    19        not release any styrene that would have been referenced in
              the preceding paragraph.
    20
 
    21   MR. JUSTICE BELL:   What do the air bubbles consist of?  What
              is the gas?
    22        A.  There would be some left- over hydrocarbons and some
              air.  As the hydrocarbons escape the air comes into the
    23        cells and some pressure things ----  There are pressure
              things that I think one other witness could discuss better
    24        than I could.
 
    25   MR. RAMPTON:  Do you know of any respectable serious scientific
              research research which has shown that the drinking of 
    26        whatever it might be- let us call it Coca Cola or a hot 
              drink such as coffee from a polystyrene cup has the result 
    27        that styrene ends up in human tissue?
              A.  No, I have not seen the study ----  The study that I
    28        believe they are referencing was a very small group as I
              recall- some 25 samples which were by no means
    29        statistically relevant.  So, reflecting 100 per cent is a
              dangerous statement.
    30
         Q.   If styrene were to be found in human tissue issue what are

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