Chico Personal Injury Lawyer - Defective & Dangerous Products

EU Warns Us About MP3 Dangers

Amber Wheat — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:29:45 GMT

A new study from the European Union Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks is very concerned about the future of hearing of it’s European citizens. The study focused on the volume and duration of use of MP3 players.

I know that this occurred overseas, but it is just as pertinent (if not more so) here in the U.S. We have all seen those people who drive down the street with there stereos blasting, the bass up so high, you can feel the vibrations two cars over. Can you imagine how high they keep the volume on their MP3 players?

I know of people who use MP3 players to drown out snoring or on airplanes to drown out the noise, but think of how loud the music would have to be to accomplish anything. Our ears are very sensitive devices. We have the ability to focus on specific sounds while ignoring others (anyone who’s tried to talk to someone while they’re watching tv can attest to that), we can pick up on a wide range of tones (though not as many as dogs), and we can even tell when pitch is ever so slightly off.

Yes, our ears are amazing, but they are delicate as well. A young woman in China recently lost part of her hearing just from kissing! The amount of noise entering your ear when listening to MP3 players has a long-term effect on your hearing abilities.

The EU study found that five to ten percent of European MP3 users have the volume so high that they are at risk for permanent hearing loss someday. I don’t think I would be out of line to suggest the American users are probably closer to the ten percent.

Hearing loss is not the only risk, tinnitis can occur if we don’t use MP3s responsibly. Tinnitus is a ringing in the ears. It is different for everybody, different tones, different duration, different beats, but they all suffer. For a real shock, check out what tinnitus can sound like. Then imaging living with that constantly for the rest of your life! There is no medical cure for tinnitus.

One of the keys to keeping your hearing safe is paying attention to duration. Even at the high volume level, somebody would have to listen to their MP3 for one whole hour everyday of every week for five years to lose their hearing. That’s not to say that you won’t damage your hearing if you take every other day off, it just means the damage is progressive. It won’t happen all at once. Your ears will get used to the loud volume then one day you’ll need to turn it up. The day after that you won’t be able to hear the tv. Then you’ll have to ask people to speak up while talking directly at you.

Soon you’re looking at buying hearing aids (not the cheapest thing in the world) and maybe even considering surgery. That comes with doctor’s visits and fees (does your insurance cover hearing loss?). But there is no cure for hearing loss and if you go deaf... you’ll never hear the music you loved ever again. Communication will be a chore and misunderstandings will be the norm.

It is a slippery slope, so please be careful. Music is wonderful, and listening can be a very relaxing past time, but please listen responsibly. A good rule of thumb: if you are listening to an MP3 player, the volume should be low enough that you can hear someone next to you clearly. If you have to ask them to repeat themselves, the music is too loud. If THEY can hear the music too, it’s WAY too loud (you know who you are).

Check out the tinnitus site... it will really change your perspective. Let me know what you think.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Amber Wheat

Artificial Turf Being Investigated By CPSC For Lead Concerns

Jenny Albano — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 17:19:02 GMT

The CPSC is looking into potential health hazards from lead in artificial turf on school stadiums and parks across the country.

So far two fields in New Jersey have already been closed because state officials found there were high levels of lead in the turf, up to 10 times the amount of lead that is allowed in soil on contaminated sites that are being turned into homes. The lead could potentially be inhaled or swallowed by athletes from dust on the surface of the artificial turf.

In the U.S. there are around 3,5000 synthetic playing fields and about 800 are installed in schools, universities, parks, etc. each year. The CPSC wants to make sure that children using these fields are not put at risk.

Pigment containing lead chromate is used in some surfaces to make the grass green and hold its color in sunlight. But it is not clear how widely the compound is used. The New Jersey Health Department found lead in both of the nylon fields it tested, but in none of the 10 polyethylene surfaces it examined.

Fibers and dust from the turf may become airborne from wear and weathering, which could then be inhaled or swallowed by athletes.

New Jersey's epidemiologist, Dr. Eddy Bresnitz, has ordered tests to find out how easily fibers from the artificial turf can be inhaled or swallowed. He stated that the risk of playing on fields full of lead was probably low, but to take precaution after playing by washing thoroughly and washing clothes separately.

According to the president of the Synthetic Turf Council, Rick Doyle, lead is fixed in place in the nylon and does not leach out, and thus poses no health risk.

Lead can cause brain damage, kidney damage, and other illnesses, particularly in children.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Children's Puppet Theaters Recalled for Lead Hazard

Chrissie Cole — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 22:36:03 GMT

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Guidecraft Inc. announced a voluntary recall of approximately 10,000 children's puppet theaters. The surface paint on the wooden panels of the puppet theater contains excessive levels of lead.

The recalled puppet theater has a chalkboard surface on the front and colored side panels. The puppet theater measures about 35 inches in length, 14 inches in width and about 52 inches in height.

Consumers are advised to take the recalled puppet theatres away from small children immediately and to contact Guidecraft for a free replacement or product of equal value.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Guidecraft toll-free at (888) 824-1308 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.guidecraft.com.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Bass Pro Shops Recalls Toddler Hats for Strangulation Hazard

Chrissie Cole — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 05:56:37 GMT

Paramount Apparel International announced a voluntary recall of hats, intended for small children, sold at Bass Pro Shops. The hats have a drawstring that can pose a strangulation hazard to small children.

Consumers should immediately stop using the hats and contact Paramount Apparel for a free replacement hat or to for a refund.

The recall involves an adjustable hat that has bungee drawstrings sewn into the crown of the hat. On the back inside of the hat is a label that reads "Bass Pro Shops." On the front of the hat is a zipper pocket with a silver boat-anchor appliquÃ© with embroidered text.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Paramount Apparel toll-free at (800) 255-4287 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at http://www.paramountapparel.com.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

FDA Warns Consumers of Botulism Risk from Canned French Cut Green Beans

Chrissie Cole — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 00:18:25 GMT

Lakeside Foods Inc. is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to voluntarily recall 15,000 cases of French Cut Green Beans in 14.5 ounce cans, because they may not have been processed properly to eliminate the botulism toxin.

If consumed, the canned green beans can cause botulism. The FDA advises consumers of the possible risk of serious illness from ingesting these products. No reports of illness have been received to date.

The botulism toxin is very potent and botulism is a life-threatening illness. Botulism symptoms can begin as soon as six hours to as long as two weeks after eating foods contaminated with the toxin. Some symptoms may include blurred vision, double vision, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth and more. Botulism can cause paralysis of the breathing muscles that can be fatal in some cases.

The affected Lakeside cut green beans are sold nationwide under the following labels: Albertson's, Happy Harvest, Best Choice, Food Club, Bogopa, Valu Time, Hill Country Fare, HEB, Laura Lynn, Kroger, No Name, North Pride, Shop N Save, Shoppers Valu, Schnucks, Cub Foods, Dierbergs, Flavorite, IGA, Best Choice and Thrifty Maid. The specific codes (top line of can code) involved are: EAA5247, EAA5257, EAA5267, EAA5277, EAB5247, EAB5257, ECA5207, ECA5217, ECA5227, ECA5297, ECB5207, ECB5217, ECB5227, ECB5307.

Consumers that may have these products should discard them immediately. If date codes are missing or unreadable, consumers should throw the product away as a precaution.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

FDA Warns: Risk of Botulism Poisoning From Hot Dog Chili Sauce

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 22:57:23 GMT

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to consumers not to eat ten ounce cans of Castleberry Hot Dog Chili Sauce with the UPC 3030000101 with "best by" dates (found on the lid) from April 30, 2009 to May 22, 2009 due to possible botulism contamination.

Consumers with any of these food products should throw them away immediately. If the best by date is missing or undetectable, consumers should discard the product.

An Indiana couple and two children in Texas who ingested these products became seriously ill and had to be hospitalized.

Botulism Symptoms can appear anywhere from six hours to two weeks after contact. Symptoms include: slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, double vision, muscle weakness that progresses down the body and more. In some cases botulism poisoning can be fatal.

Anyone who has recently eaten Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce or Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce and show any symptoms above should seek immediate medical attention.

Castleberry has informed FDA that it is voluntarily recalling all of the potentially contaminated products and is cooperating with FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the states' active investigations into the cause of this contamination and scope of the products' distribution.

Castleberry is also voluntarily recalling a number of products that are not under FDA's regulatory authority. For a list of these products, visit: www.castleberrys.com/news_productrecall.asp.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Rat Poison found in Recalled Pet Food

Christina Cole — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 10:42:23 GMT

Menu Foods recalled several brands of cat and dog food products nationwide last week after many pets were getting sick and in some cases even dying.

Scientists have found a drug that is used to kill rats in two cat food samples but they are unclear as to how the substance got into the food. Menu Foods says 15 cats and 1 dog have died since the contamination, however, a veterinarian group says the number is really much higher and it may reach into the thousands.

A dual lawsuit has been filed against Menu Foods in California, blaming them for recent pet health problems. One woman claims her cat was healthy and happy until she became sick and was eventually diagnosed with kidney failure. The other cat owner claims his cat got sick after eating the contaminated cat food.

Both cases allege their cats were poisoned by the recalled pet food tainted with rat poison by Menu Foods.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Christina Cole

Menu Foods Income Fund Recalling Pet Food

Christina Cole — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 01:07:26 GMT

Menu Foods Income Fund, a Canadian pet food manufacture, is recalling 48 brands of dog food and 40 brands of cat food after consumer reports of pets suffering from kidney failure and at least 14 pets dying. Iams, Eukanumba and Nutro are amongst the affected brands of pet foods recalled.

The company has issued a precautionary recall for a portion of their cat and dog foods that were manufactured between December 3, 2006 and March 6, 2006. The recall is limited to "cuts and gravy" dog foods in cans and pouches that is manufactured at two of their United States facilities. The products are manufactured under both manufactured and private-label while they are also contract-manufactured for some national brand pet foods.

Menu Foods says it began a battery of technical tests as soon as the first complaints came in, but has not identified any problems.

They did find, however, that timing of the production associated with these complaints coincides with the introduction of an ingredient from a new supplier. The ingredient was dropped shortly after this discovery, the company said, and production since then has been undertaken using ingredients from another source.

"We take these complaints very seriously and, while we are still looking for a specific cause, we are acting to err on the side of caution" said Paul K. Henderson, President and CEO, Menu Food. "We will do whatever is necessary to ensure that our products maintain the very highest quality standards."

Pet owners are urged to carefully check the food they are using.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Christina Cole

Weber Genesis Grills Recalled

Christina Cole — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 12:46:41 GMT

Weber Genesis is recalling their 320 series gas grills. The gas hose attached to the side burner can crack or break off during shipping causing it to leak gas when in use, posing a fire hazard to users.

To date, Weber has received 49 reports of hose damage or gas leaks. Thankfully no injuries have been reported.

The recall involves the Weber Genesis 320 Series gas grills that are designed for use with natural gas or liquid propane tanks and they are equipped with flush-mounted side burner accessories. The gas hose is made from stainless steel.

The grills are sold in stainless steel and blue, green or black, porcelain enamel. All serial numbers start with the prefix "DI." The model and serial numbers are on the tank blocker/drip pan holder that is located inside the storage cart.

Consumers should immediately stop using the grill and contact Weber-Stephen to obtain a free replacement gas hose and schedule a free installation.

Consumer Contact: Call Weber-Stephen toll-free at (866) 249-3237 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the company's recall web site at www.weberrecall.com.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Christina Cole

Suit Filed Against Manufacturer of Failed Hernia Repair Patch

Christina Cole — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 13:25:56 GMT

Motley Rice LLC, together with co-counsel Wexler Toriseva Wallace LLP, announced today that it has filed suit against Davol, Inc. a manufacturer of the Composix Kugel Mesh Patch, a medical device used in hernia repair surgeries.

The suit was filed in the Superior Court in the State of Rhode Island on behalf of Jimmy Warren of St. Charles County, Missouri, whose Kugel Mesh Patch failed allowing a product recall that caused severe abdominal pain and resulted in necessary bowel dissection surgery to remove the patch that failed. Additional defendants include N.J. based C.R. Bard, Inc. which is the parent company to Davol, Inc.

Mr. Warren underwent hernia surgery on January 6, 2004, at which time he received a Kugel Mesh Patch developed by Davol, Inc. The next year, Davol recalled many Kugel Mesh Patches under an FDA Class 1 recall (medical devices that are potentially life-threatening or that can cause serious risk to the patient). In 2006, the recall was expanded to include the patch Mr. Warren has. Following his surgery, Mr. Warren had abdominal tenderness and the report states, another hernia had developed by April 2006.

During surgery to repair the second hernia, a piece of the failed Kugel Mesh patch was discovered adhered to Mr. Warren's bowel. Mr. Warren was subjected to a prolonged bowel dissection to release the mesh from his bowel, leaving him with chronically inflamed bowels, as well as ongoing physical pain and mental anguish. It is alleged that the manufacturers of the Kugel Mesh Patch were aware of the high degree of complication and failure rate of the product.
"It is tragic that medical device manufacturers rush their products to market without adequately testing their safety," stated Motley Rice attorney Rhett Klok. "Our client, Mr. Warren, is one of many who will now spend the rest of their life in pain because of the Kugel Mesh patch. We hope, with this lawsuit, that we will raise awareness of this issue and help bring justice to those harmed."

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Christina Cole