Opinion ID: 701265
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Woolley

Text: 34 Notwithstanding that we previously stated that Woolley could provide expert testimony regarding whether McCullock was within the breathing zone of the glue fumes, see McCullock I, 981 F.2d at 658 n. 1, Fuller contends that the consulting engineer is unqualified because (1) he has no formal education related to fume dispersal patterns, and (2) he has no experience performing or interpreting air quality studies. Moreover, it argues that, on cross-examination, Woolley did not know the chemical constituents of the hot-melt glue, the chemical constituents of any fume emitted by the glue, or the concentration level of the fumes. Finally, it maintains that Woolley's expert testimony consisted of a fact that any layman knows--that the concentration of fume particles was reduced as one moved farther from the source of the fumes. 35 We find that Woolley's testimony easily qualifies for admission under Daubert. Fuller's argument ignores Woolley's extensive practical experience. Supra pp. 1041-42. Woolley's background and practical experience qualify as specialized knowledge gained through experience, training, or education, Fed.R.Evid. 702, and his testimony was properly admitted. Cf. United States v. Locascio, 6 F.3d 924, 937 (2d Cir.1993), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 114 S.Ct. 1645, 1646, 128 L.Ed.2d 365 (1994); United States v. Simmons, 923 F.2d 934, 946 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 500 U.S. 919, 111 S.Ct. 2018, 114 L.Ed.2d 104 (1991). Fuller's quibble with Woolley's academic training in fume dispersal and air quality studies, and his other alleged shortcomings (lack of knowledge regarding the chemical constituents of the fumes or the glue vapor's concentration level), were properly explored on cross-examination and went to his testimony's weight and credibility--not its admissibility. See Fernandez v. Chios Shipping Co., 542 F.2d 145 (2d Cir.1976). 36 Furthermore, Fuller's Daubert contention that Woolley's testimony lacked any grounding in science, and that he merely stated an obvious concept that any layman knows, is meritless. Woolley based his opinion on the following factors grounded in academic and practical experience: examination of various materials and educational sources on safety regarding the ventilation of an HC binder; review of Fuller's MSDS; interviews with McCullock concerning her work area and the glue pot; background industrial experience with ventilation; and practical experience with fumes. Thus, his analysis went far beyond that of a layman. 37 Woolley had both the practical experience and necessary academic training to testify whether McCullock was in the breathing zone of the glue fumes. The district court therefore did not err, let alone manifestly err, by admitting Woolley's expert testimony.