October 28, 2012
Peanut butter, cantaloupe, mangoes — in the last year, there have been major product recalls for each of these items. Sickness from consuming these tainted food products affected people in 19 states, and the victims were predominantly kids. What may disturb Californians even more is that the situation does not appear to be improving. The [...]
October 2, 2012
Product defects of any kind are undesirable. It becomes worse when the target consumers are children. Residents of Marin County should be aware of the federal government’s 2008 ban imposed on the use of toxic phthalates chemicals in toys. The toxic chemical is again in the news, but this time in relation to many school [...]
September 26, 2012
In 2010, Congress established September 26 as National Mesothelioma Awareness Day. The day was established to make the public aware of the disease and its deadly consequences. More awareness should result in an increased effort to find effective treatments and a cure. Thousands of people die every year from lung disease that can be traced [...]
September 19, 2012
In December 2010, Congress approved the Zadroga Act, which is designed to assist those who have become sick related to their work at the World Trade Center on 9/11. A $4.3 billion fund was established to assist the first responders who have since suffered debilitating illnesses. The problem with the legislation was that it did [...]
August 21, 2012
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer caused primarily by exposure to asbestos. It manifests itself from 10 to 50 years after exposure. The disease invades the membrane around the heart, abdominal cavity or lungs. Approximately 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. This figure is far lower than the number of people diagnosed [...]
August 15, 2012
While we typically hear about the dangers of asbestos when related to its inclusion in various man-made products, such as insulation and roofing materials, asbestos is a naturally occurring substance that can cause harm when people have frequent contact with the toxin. Due to the concern over naturally occurring asbestos, one town in Washington state [...]
July 24, 2012
Over 12 businesses in California have been accused of selling costume jewelry with a high lead content. Some of the jewelry, marketed to both children and adults, had over 1,000 times California’s legal limit for lead. The state is cracking down on its enforcement of the lead content in various products. Additionally, 16 companies are [...]
July 17, 2012
While the danger of asbestos exposure in the workplace has decreased as its health risks have become public knowledge, many workers were exposed to the dangerous substance before safety regulations were established. As it can take decades for asbestos exposure to result in an asbestos-related disease, it is critical for people to be aware of [...]
July 11, 2012
As those of us on the Pacific coast are now in the midst of hurricane season, it is a good time to discuss some tips to avoid asbestos exposure in the wake of a storm or natural disaster. Property damage is common following a severe storm, requiring people to get outside to clean up the [...]