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From: Monona Rossol <0000030664c37427-dmarc-request**At_Symbol_Here**LISTS.PRINCETON.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Three US teachers who sued Monsanto over chemical exposure awarded $185m
Date: Jul 31, 2021 16:19 UTC
Reply-To:
Monona Rossol
In-Reply-To: Re: [DCHAS-L] Three US teachers who sued Monsanto over chemical exposure awarded $185m
Goutman told the jury the levels of PCBs detected in the teachers' blood tests were lower than what is typically found in the United States population, and that no students or teachers from the Sky Valley facility showed any unusual levels of PCB exposure in their blood work.
"What does that tell you about their theory that school has really high levels of PCBs," Goutman asked.
Goutman also argued that the types of PCBs found in the teachers blood did not match the specific type of PCBs used in the school's fluorescent lights.
Goutman acknowledged that the three teachers had health problems, but he argued they were due to the dilapidated condition of the aging school, which he told jurors the women had described in previous depositions as "filthy" and "old and run-down" and "the grossest, most disgusting building."
He argued the school had an extensive black mold problem, and that exposure to mold and dust was a more likely explanation for the teachers' illness. He said the treating physicians for all three women diagnosed them with allergies to mold.
Goutman said that the teachers' medical records would also show many of the ailments they link to PCB exposure resulted from pre-existing conditions.
"Many of the conditions the teachers claim is caused by PCBs they were in fact treated for before they started at SVC (Sky Valley)," Goutman said.