SafetyIssues Personal and Public Safety News Articles: Consumers BMW Incurs $3 Million NHTSA Penalty ================================================================================ Courtesy of motorcycle-usa.com on 02/16/12 05:13:00 Courtesy of motorcycle-usa.com - BMW North America will pay $3 million in civil penalties after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration deemed the German manufacturer noncompliant in reporting safety defects. At issue is the timeliness with which BMW reported vehicle safety defects to the NHTSA. Ford Issues Recall Of Over 500,000 Vehicles ================================================================================ Courtesy of Redorbit.com on 01/12/12 07:38:00 Ford Motor Company, the No. 2 automaker in the US, said it is recalling more than 500,000 SUVs and minivans worldwide to fix a defect that can cause fires or loss of power. Ethical Issues in New Drug Prescribing ================================================================================ Courtesy of springerlink.com on 12/21/11 12:34:00 We use the format of a hypothetical case study to review issues related to pharmaceutical product approval and physician prescribing practices. In this case, a new FDA-approved drug is recommended for a patient who subsequently experiences an adverse event that may or may not be related to the prescription. This case raises a number of ethical and legal considerations physicians routinely face when deciding whether to recommend such drugs for their patients. Despite the need for ongoing observation by the regulatory apparatus, physicians should be cognizant of the limitations of the drug approval system and the post-approval prescription drug surveillance system. We discuss physicians’ ethical obligations when faced with a newly approved drug, including seeking out independent sources of learning, reporting adverse effects, and notifying patients about limitations in available knowledge about therapeutic recommendations. Keyless Ignitions For Vehicles Raising Safety Issues ================================================================================ Courtesy of FoxNews on 12/14/11 07:15:00 That car had a keyless ignition. Apparently, without realizing it, Harry Pitt had left the car running in the garage under his townhouse. The medical examiner says he died of carbon monoxide poisoning. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says as more and more car manufacturers go keyless, a "safety issue" is emerging. Chevy Volt Battery Safety Issues Put GM Stock Price In Peril ================================================================================ Courtesy of Forbes on 11/29/11 11:13:00 After several years of promoting electric cars in the U.S. and billions of dollars spent by automotive companies to develop electric vehicle technology, electric car sales are under threat because of rising safety concerns. At the center of safety concern is General Motors‘ Chevrolet Volt, which caught fire after crash tests by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Craisin Recall ================================================================================ Courtesy of Huffingtonpost on 11/28/11 11:32:00 A batch of Ocean Spray's Craisin brand dried cranberries is being recalled across the country, in what a company representative told Medical News Today was "an abundance of caution." Toyota issues recall for 550,000 vehicles ================================================================================ Courtesy of TheGlobeAndMail on 11/13/11 01:57:00 Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday it is recalling about 550,000 vehicles worldwide – mostly in North America – for problems that could make it harder to steer. The recall affects 447,000 vehicles in North America, as well as 38,000 in Japan and another 25,000 in Australia and New Zealand, said Toyota spokesman Dion Corbett. In Europe, some 14,000 vehicles are being recalled along with 10,000 in the Middle East and 14,000 in Asia outside Japan. Hospital Deaths Increase In July: Study ================================================================================ Courtesy of Huffingtonpost.com on 07/16/11 07:27:00 If you can help it, it might be best to avoid going to the hospital in the month of July. It was always conventional wisdom among doctors -- since July marks the time when experienced medical residents leave and the newly graduated doctors arrive -- but now a new review of studies shows that patient death rates are actually higher in July than other months. NHTSA Reveals Chrysler Recall of Nearly 250,000 Trucks ================================================================================ Courtesy of NHTSA on 07/13/11 11:02:00 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration officials recently announced Chrysler is recalling nearly a quarter-million trucks from model years going back to 2003. The recall includes the Dodge and Ram 1500 from the 2008 model-year as well as Dodge and Ram 2500 and 3500 from model years 2003 through 2011. A total of 242,780 U.S. units are being summoned to fix steering linkages in the tie rod assembly. A message sent by Chrysler to Auto Remarketing said this recall affects approximately 34,780 vehicles in Canada, as well. Chrysler issues recall for steering-column fix ================================================================================ Courtesy of Autoweek on 07/04/11 08:25:00 Buyers of 11,351 Chrysler products will be getting a recall notice to fix a problem in the steering column. The recall covers 2011 models of the Chrysler 200 sedan and convertible and the Town & Country minivan; the Dodge Avenger sedan, the Caliber, Nitro and Journey SUVs, and the Grand Caravan minivan; and the Jeep Compass, Liberty, Patriot and Wrangler SUVs. The steering column in some of those vehicles might be missing a pivot rivet, or the rivet may have been installed incorrectly. This could hinder the ability of the column to support occupant loads in a frontal crash, decreasing the effectiveness of the frontal-impact safety system and upping chances for injuries in such an accident. Dealers will inspect the vehicles and fix any problems free of charge. Visit www.safercar.gov or call (800) 853-1403 for more information. APNewsBreak: Schumer targets rental car recalls ================================================================================ Courtesy of APPress on 05/31/11 02:21:00 Courtesy of AP News - U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer of New York said he will introduce a bill to stop car rental agencies from renting automobiles that are under recalls for problems that aren't yet fixed. The industry this month proposed a two-tiered system in which cars would be kept off the road if the recall involved serious safety issues. Recalls considered less serious would be fixed as soon as possible, but the cars wouldn't be "grounded" until then, under the proposal by the American Car Rental Association. "Rental car agencies appear more interested in reaping profit by keeping recalled vehicles on the road then they do with ensuring the safety of the individuals and families who are driving their cars," Schumer said before his announcement Monday. More Tylenol Recalled ================================================================================ Courtesy of Huffingtonpost.com on 03/31/11 06:43:00 Huffingtonpost.com - Johnson & Johnson said it was recalling more than 700,000 bottles or packages of Tylenol and other consumer medicines made at a now-closed plant, the latest in a litany of recalls by the company. USDA Approved Monsanto Alfalfa Despite Warnings of New Pathogen Discovered in Genetically Engineered Crops ================================================================================ Courtesy of TruthOut on 03/08/11 02:59:00 Just two weeks before the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) fully deregulated Monsanto's Roundup Ready alfalfa, a senior soil scientist alerted the department about a newly discovered, microscopic pathogen found in high concentrations of Roundup Ready corn and soy that researchers believe could be causing infertility in livestock and diseases in crops that could threaten the entire domestic food supply. Toyota recalls 2.17 million vehicles in US ================================================================================ Courtesy of BostonGlboe on 02/23/11 10:49:00 Toyota Motor Corp. recalled 2.17 million vehicles in the United States on Thursday to address accelerator pedals that could become entrapped in floor mats or jammed in driver's side carpeting. The world's No. 1 auto company said more than half of the vehicles under recall are being added to a massive 2009 recall that fixed gas pedals getting trapped in the floor mat. Government: No electronic flaws in Toyotas ================================================================================ Courtesy of AP Press on 02/07/11 05:02:00 AP Press- The Obama administration's investigation into Toyota safety problems has found no electronic flaws to account for reports of sudden, unintentional acceleration and other safety problems. Government investigators said Tuesday the only known cause of the problems are mechanical defects that have been addressed by previous recalls. Tucson shooting shows need to limit firepower of handguns ================================================================================ Courtesy of BaltimoreSun on 01/10/11 03:14:00 It is always disturbing news when we hear of another mass shooting such as the latest in Tucson, Az. There will be a brief discussion on gun control laws, and then it will be forgotten until the next incident. I think we can enact clear and concise laws that will curtail the level of destruction one person can wreak on our general citizenship and against our law enforcement community. The debate should not be focused on the Constitutional interpretation of the "right to bear arms" but the level of firepower we allow on our streets. As a gun owner, I enjoy the sport of shooting (clay pigeons), but I question the need for the level of armament most citizens can purchase legally in this country. There is no need for one to have a gun that can hold more than 2-3 shots. This would provide ample firepower for both personnel protection and also allow for most sports. All the laws can be written to try to make gun purchasing safe, but life is to unpredictable, and when people go through hard times and become alienated, they can turn to the gun as their means to air their frustrations. Eye Cosmetic Safety Tips ================================================================================ Courtesy of FDA on 12/13/10 06:05:00 FDA - Eye cosmetics are intended to make eyes more attractive, or in some cases to cleanse the eye area. One thing they shouldn't do is cause harm. Most are safe when used properly. However, there are some things to be careful about when using these products, such as the risk of infection, the risk of injury from the applicator, and the use of unapproved color additives. ... GlaxoSmithKline to Pay $750M Fine for Sale of Bad Drugs ================================================================================ Courtesy of AOL News on 10/27/10 01:57:00 AOL News - Another day, another hard pill to swallow for GlaxoSmithKline. On Tuesday, the pharmaceutical giant agreed to pay $750 million to settle a government lawsuit alleging that the company sold defective and potentially dangerous medication. The U.S. Justice Department brought suit against GSK after finding that the company's Cidra, Puerto Rico, factory produced drugs sold to consumers that were often mislabeled, of the wrong dosage and contaminated with micro-organisms. Children’s Car Seats Recalled ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 09/04/07 05:25:00 It was the third recall on children’s car seats in about a week. On Friday, Aug. 31, the Dorel Juvenile Group, the nation’s biggest manufacturer of child car seats, announced a recall of 19 car seat models under the brand names Cosco, Eddie Bauer, Safety 1st, Alpha Elite and Alpha Sport. The news release said that the reason for the recall was a harness that had a tendency to slip. Beef, Spinach Recalled ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 02/09/07 04:55:00 Oregon State and federal state health officials alerted consumers Thursday against beef contaminated with E. coli bacteria, after nine people were sickened — six in Washington, two in Oregon, and one in Idaho. Are Hands-Free Cellphones Safe? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 01/13/09 01:25:00 The risk of having an accident is about the same for drunken driving as for driving while talking on a cellphone, according to statistics on reported accidents, numerous experiments with simulators, and several real-world studies. And, it may not matter if the cellphone is hands-free or not. Beware of Burundanga — And Emails About It ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 01/01/09 05:20:00 You have probably received this multi-forwarded email about burundanga. The story can be scary. It is also a piece of fiction. FDA Nixes Diet Coke Plus Claims ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 12/25/08 08:53:00 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have warned Coca-Cola Co. that the label on its Diet Coke Plus beverage makes improper claims about nutritional content and should be revised. The Diet Coke Plus label says the drink contains vitamins and minerals. Insulin Syringe Recall Announced ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 11/07/08 10:04:00 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have announced an urgent Medical Device Recall. The announcement says the subject of the recall is a single production lot of ReliOn 31 gauge 1cc single-use insulin syringes. Does FDA Approval Bar State Lawsuits? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 11/04/08 11:11:00 On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on a product liability suit that could affect thousands of other potential lawsuits by consumers against drug manufacturers. CPSC to Issue Crib Durability Standards ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 10/23/08 09:02:00 Following this week’s recall of 1.6 million cribs, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced plans to set new rules governing durability standards in cribs. Are ‘On the Market’ Biological Drugs Safe? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 10/22/08 10:07:00 New generation drugs, known as biologicals because of their resemblance to naturally occurring proteins, are not necessarily safer than traditional chemical-based drugs, according to a new study. FDA Sets Melamine Tolerance Levels ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 10/02/08 08:32:00 Infant formula should not contain any melamine at all, but all other foods may have melamine up to 2.5 parts per million, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in an announcement Friday. Are You Serving Cereal or Sugar? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 10/02/08 03:26:00 Parents who like to serve cereal to their children for breakfast may have to look again: a number of well-known breakfast cereal brands are more than half sugar per usual 3/4 cup serving and many have little nutritional value, according to a Consumer Reports study released Wednesday. FTC Warns of Fake Cancer Cures ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 09/20/08 08:05:00 As part of its crackdown against misleading and deceptive advertising, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed complaints against 11 companies alleged to be selling fake cancer cures online. Fake Drugs Causing Serious Problems ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 09/14/08 05:21:00 The black market for counterfeit drugs has become a major cause of concern to law enforcement due to the very real problems and often lethal consequences they cause to people who take them. FDA Warns Against China-Made Baby Formula ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 09/11/08 02:33:00 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers against using baby formula from China. These are not only illegal but, more critically, these are dangerous. Hospital Errors Affect 1.5 Million Americans ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 09/05/08 06:59:00 The hospital care system has been one of the most trusted institutions in the U.S. But while millions have experienced near-miracles while being treated at hospitals, a million others have found out that hospitals can also be dangerous to their health. Toxins Found in Some Herbal Medicines ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 09/02/08 03:45:00 Herbal supplements being used in increasing quantities by Americans have been found to contain high levels of heavy metals and other toxic materials which could pose serious dangers to health, according a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Can Moisturizers Cause Skin Cancer? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 08/16/08 02:58:00 Popular moisturizers frequently applied to the skin of laboratory mice appeared to promote the emergence and growth of skin tumors, according to a study by researchers at Rutgers University. Nokia Cellphone Batteries to Be Replaced ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyisseus.com on 08/18/07 04:50:00 Over 46 million BL-5C batteries powering Nokia cellular phones will be replaced for free, according to a Nokia advisory posted on its Web site. Shower Curtains Emit Toxic Chemicals ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 06/13/08 10:39:00 The shower curtains commonly sold in department stores are emitting chemicals of known toxicity linked to various health effects, according to research by a nonprofit environmental watch group. Agencies Disagree on BPA Safety ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 06/13/08 10:30:00 Government agencies are still not agreed on the safety of bisphenol A (also known as BPA or ‘everywhere chemicals’), a chemical used in hundreds of consumer products including plastic baby bottles and canned foods. The disagreement stems from the insufficiency of scientific evidence compelling enough to warrant an outright ban. Toad Venom Aphrodisiac Kills Again ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 05/23/08 11:52:00 The New York City health department has warned city residents to avoid using in any manner a banned toad venom-based aphrodisiac. A 35-year-old man died recently after he ate the hardened resin. He was hospitalized after checking into the emergency room with complaints of chest and abdominal pain. Recalled Meat Often Remains At Large ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 12/04/07 11:55:00 Counting from 2006, there have been 73 recalls of meat products ordered by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). According to data released by the USDA, only an average of 44% was ever recovered. Bacteria In Syringes Make Dozens Ill ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 12/20/07 03:35:00 Syringes contaminated with bacteria have been blamed for making about 40 people ill in Illinois and Texas, including 20 patients at one hospital in Chicago. All the patients have recovered. FDA Issues Second Warning on Pain Patch ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 12/23/07 03:20:00 Health officials issued a second warning Friday on the improper use of the Johnson & Johnson Duragesic pain-killing patch and its generic versions. The US Food and Drug Administration said that despite its July 2005 warning, deaths and life-threatening side effects arising from the use of the patch continue to be reported. How Tough Should Product Safety Rules Be? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 12/24/07 03:15:00 A House committee approved a proposed legislation to increase the budget of the Consumer Product Safety Commission by an additional $10 million, hoping that the increase in resources will enable the commission to perform more effectively its role to protect American consumers from harmful products. CPSC To Monitor Retailers, West Coast Ports ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 01/10/08 01:15:00 The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission may soon increase its monitoring of retailers and West Coast ports in its efforts to enforce product safety. Is Government Doing Enough To Cut Smoking? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 01/19/08 10:10:00 The American Lung Association criticized the U.S. Congress and President George W. Bush for torpedoing programs intended to tighten regulation on tobacco and discourage the spread of smoking. In addition, the association also said the states have not done enough to combat cigarette smoking. How Clean Are Hotel Drinking Glasses? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 01/22/08 07:30:00 Every so often, news stories come out on TV or the newspapers with an expose on the cleanliness — or lack of it — in hotel rooms. A television network recently revealed what they discovered inside five hotels belonging to different hotel chains: in all instances, the drinking glasses were not washed properly. This happened in low-priced hotels as well as in expensive first-class hotels. Stronger Warning Asked for Botox ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 01/28/08 04:10:00 A consumer group has filed a petition with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asking that product labels for Botox and a similar drug, Myobloc, should contain stronger warnings about its potential hazards, and that patients should be given printed details of its risks. Are Stolen Beauty Items Sold Online? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 02/25/08 03:10:00 The lure of lower prices for health and beauty products sold via online auction sites is often hard to resist, but the National Retail Federation (NRF) warns that doing so might pose a risk to health and, in addition, might constitute support to organized crime. FDA Nears Identification of Heparin Contaminant ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 03/17/08 04:00:00 The US Food and Drug Administration announced Friday that they may soon be able to identify a contaminant found in 20 of 28 samples (over 70 percent) of an active ingredient used in producing heparin. The ingredient was produced in China. Battery Overcharging Can Cause Fire ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 02/14/08 02:22:00 From pet food to children’s toys, from pharmaceuticals to chemicals, the list of recalls on products imported from China keeps getting longer and longer. This time around, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a bulletin to warn people against overcharging lithium batteries used to power toys.