2012

One may not often think about the hazards that could be posed by haircare products, but the chemical content in such items is cause for concern for some.  Three Democratic lawmakers in particular have grown increasingly worried about the formaldehyde content in various hair products. They have sent a letter to the Food and Drug… read more

Tanning beds are currently considered a Class I Medical Device, but there are some people who believe that that classification isn’t good enough.  The American Cancer Society thinks the risks posed by tanning beds are far greater than other similar Class 1 items such as Band-Aids and tongue depressors. Because of the alleged risks, the… read more

Like us, you’ve likely seen your share of stories in the news pertaining to apparent contaminations of drugs, food, and the like.  But a contamination of human tissue meant to be used in implant patients?  That’s a story that’s bound to garner widespread attention. The Food and Drug Administration is worried about this very type… read more

Recently, the school district of San-Mateo Foster was the recipient of a $300,000 grant designed to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety among local students.  Officials are now putting that money to use, as a Safe Routes to School program was recently held at a local middle school.  765 students received various lessons on safety, including… read more

The threat of a possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination has led to another recall.  This time, the Salinas-based Taylor Farms Retail announced the recall, which affects Hearts of Romaine with an expiration date of December 13 (given the date, the lettuce shouldn’t be consumed anyway).  Each of the 161 affected cases contained ten ounce packages of… read more

1,500 mattresses are being recalled by the Atlanta, Georgia-based American Mattress Company because they could pose a fire hazard to consumers.  The recall pertains to queen, king, full, and twin mattresses that come equipped with a Bunkie board, and each was repurposed by the company after first being stripped down to their springs.  Fire standards… read more

Is every piece of furniture in your home positioned in such a way that there’d be no danger of it tipping over?  What about appliances?  Or televisions?  In 2011, 41 people reportedly died because one of the above tipped over onto an unsuspecting individual.  This makes 2011 the deadliest year since at least 2000 according… read more

Motorhomes are somewhat unique in the world of vehicle recalls.  Whereas other automobiles are typically recalled because of defects with various driving functions, motorhomes can be recalled because of an issue with the amenities found within.  After all, these are motor “homes,” and thus anything inside that could pose a hazard might entail a recall…. read more

The role of distracted walking as it pertains to possible pedestrian injuries and fatalities is being analyzed in yet another study.  What distinguishes the research from other similar studies is the fact that those conducting the effort looked towards the types of behaviors that would likely be indicative of an increased risk of an accident…. read more

Shopping for medication online is a risky proposition.  There are numerous “pharmacies” out there in the internet ether that claim to be valid but are actually only set up as a means to scam hard working people out of their money.  One should always be wary if a pharmacy website appears dubious.  Not only could… read more

Back in June 2011, new standards in regards to the safety of cribs were passed.  The law was meant to ensure that new products met the rigorous standards in place to protect young children from defects that can be presented by certain items.  Among other things, the law sought to create improvements pertaining to slats,… read more

The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers about the results of a study which suggests that users of Chantix might be at risk of suffering some sort of adverse cardiovascular event.  Chantix, which is provided to individuals who seek to cut their smoking habit, was compared to placebo intake during a series of clinical… read more