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News Release                                                    [LOGO]





Contact:
Charles Borgognoni, Corporate Communications - 201-847-6651

                    BD Director Albert J. Costello Dies at 66


Franklin Lakes, NJ (September 4, 2002) -- Becton, Dickinson and Company
(BD)(NYSE:BDX) acknowledges with sorrow the September 3 death of Board member
Albert J. Costello. Mr. Costello, who would have turned 67 today, joined the BD
Board of Directors in 1996.

"Al's passing has saddened us profoundly," said Edward J. Ludwig, Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer of BD. "Al was not only a source of great
insight and leadership for me and the Company, he was also a warm human being
with a wonderful wit and sense of humor. We will all miss Al very much."

Mr. Costello was a distinguished business leader. In 1999, he retired as
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of W.R. Grace &
Company. Prior to that, Mr. Costello was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
American Cyanamid Company. In addition to his position on the BD Board, Mr.
Costello also served as a director of FMC Corporation.

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BD is a medical technology company that serves healthcare institutions, life
sciences researchers, clinical laboratories, industry and the general public. BD
manufactures and sells a broad range of medical supplies, devices, laboratory
equipment and diagnostic products. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2001,
BD reported total revenues of $3.8 billion.