Day 009 - 08 Jul 94 - Page 37


     
     1
         MISS STEEL:  Pink V, yes, sorry.
     2        A.  Yes.
 
     3   Q.   Document No. 34?
              A.  Yes.
     4
         MISS STEEL:  The last statement on that page:  "Polystyrene
     5        remains"?
              A.  Which page number?
     6
         Q.   On page 668, the first page, the statement:  "Polystyrene
     7        remains inert and harmless and creates stable landfills
              which can be converted into new areas such as parks".
     8        I think you made a similar statement yesterday about --
              well, other McDonald's leaflets have said that polystyrene
     9        is safe and helpful in landfill because it does not
              biodegrade and it creates air pockets.
    10        A.  What is your question?
 
    11   Q.   McDonald's has made those statements, has it not?
              A.  That is correct, and that is a fact, that polystyrene
    12        is safe and very inert in a landfill.  The position that
              we take, based on the scientific evidence in landfill
    13        technology, though -- it does not matter at this point in
              time in the United States it really does not matter what
    14        material you put into a landfill, because what research
              has shown is that the way the landfills are designed
    15        today, basically they are tombs, so whether it is
              polystyrene which is not biodegradable or whether it is
    16        paper.  That in general with what I know today, it does
              not really make much of a difference.
    17
         Q.   Right, but when you say that is a good thing in landfill,
    18        would you say that is a bit over the top?
              A.  No, because remember the times that I was referring to
    19        earlier in the 80s:  One of the big issues with landfills
              before proper management was the fact that other
    20        degradable products, such as paper, would leech chemicals
              and other by-products into the ground water and into the
    21        local communities.  So it was a significant issue, but
              more significant before the controls were put in place.
    22
         Q.   Has McDonald's actually carried out any studies to find
    23        out whether it is a good thing to have large quantities of
              polystyrene foam buried in the ground?
    24        A.  Not to my knowledge.  We are very aware -- there have
              been landfill studies.  In the United States there have
    25        been studies were an archeologist has actually redug up
              plant to examine what goes on in a landfill.  We do have 
    26        access and have studied that information. 
  
    27   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Could you just help me with one thing:  If
              it is a tomb with a lining, that is an impervious lining,
    28        is it?
              A.  It is meant to be, in general.
    29
         Q.   What happens when it rains on it and the water runs
    30        through grass and top soil, or whatever you put on top of
              it?

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