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Sub-Topics
2004
2005
2007
Cars
Chromium Poisoning
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Also TryListsMultimedia
- Criminal and Background Check (USSearch.com) Employee Directory
Searches databases for a criminal record or provides a background check. Charges by the individual search. Awesome Library does not endorse this service but provides it as an example. 8-05
News
- Stovetop Pressure Cookers (AmericasTestKitchenc.om)
"After testing was complete, we had a clear winner. Sturdily built, with a low and wide profile, steady heating, an easily monitored pressure indicator, a convenient automatically locking lid, and low evaporation, this cooker was a pleasure to use and produced perfect finished dishes. It was also the only cooker in our testing to reach 250 degrees, or 15 psi, at high pressure, so it should perform accurately in all standard pressure-cooker recipes. But at its price, it’s an investment. Our Best Buy performed nearly as well at a fraction of the price. It is similar in shape and size to our winner, and while it’s not as expensively constructed (it is lighter and feels more “economy”) and its peak temperature under pressure fell slightly short of the 250-degree target, its cooking results were very good. Above all, it’s easy to operate, even if you’re new to pressure cooking."
Editor's Note: Their Best Buy selection was a Fagor Duo 8 quart stainless steel cooktop pressure cooker for around $90. 12-13
Papers
- -06-21-07 Cleaning Solvents at Dry Cleaners (MSNBC News)
"Perchloroethylene, also known as perc, is the solvent used by about 75 percent of the nation’s 35,000 dry cleaners, but not for much longer. With concerns about perc’s health and environmental impacts mounting, states like California have begun to phase out the chemical and the hunt is on for cost-effective, less toxic cleaning technologies." 06-07
- -Editorial: Why Parents Should Not Share a Bed With Babies (Time.com)
"Those who bedshared moderately nursed for less time but still longer than the women who rarely shared beds. So, yes, says study co-author Dr. Fern Hauck, a professor of family medicine at the University of Virginia, 'The two things are quite intertwined, but we believe that bedsharing promoted breastfeeding, not the other way around.' "
"Still, she cautioned, physicians’ groups are not recommending sharing a bed with baby because placing infants in adult beds is associated with three times the risk of suffocation or SIDS, even among parents who do not drink, smoke or take drugs. The risks are even higher for parents who do. More research is needed, she says to find other, safer ways to encourage breastfeeding."
"The American Academy of Pediatrics currently recommends that parents place babies in their own, safe place in the parents’ room. It can be near their mothers’ bed for ease of nursing, but when finished feeding, mothers should put babies back in their dedicated crib or bassinet."
- -Macaroni and Cheese Recall (CBS News)
"Kraft Foods is recalling 242,000 cases of original flavor Kraft Macaroni & Cheese because some of the boxes contain small pieces of metal." 03-15
- Homeland Security News (Whitehouse - Homeland Security)
Provides information on the level of risk for attacks by terrorists, news related to countering terrorism within the United States, and more.
- Many Fatalities After Repeal of Helmet Law (MSNBC News)
"Motorcycle fatalities have risen sharply in Florida since the state repealed its mandatory helmet law." 08-05.
Purchase Resources
- -Alcohol Wipes Contaminated by Bacteria (MSNBC News)
"Two-thirds of tested samples of alcohol prep pads tied to a massive recall, serious infections and death were contaminated with dangerous bacteria, including tainted products from eight of 10 separate lots, according to a new government report." The pads were from 39 brands, including those from many national chain stores. 03-11
- -Students Invent Fire Extinguisher that Uses Sound (CNN News)
"Firefighters may be snuffing blazes with deep-toned sound, if a new device invented by two engineering students in Fairfax, Virginia, catches on." 03-15
- -Study: Arsenic in Rice (ABC News)
"According to a sobering report released to 'Good Morning America' by Consumer Reports magazine this morning, rice eaten just once a day can drive arsenic levels in the human body up 44 percent. Rice eaten twice a day can lead to a 70 percent increase in arsenic."
" 'We think that consumers ought to take steps to moderate their consumption,' said Urvashi Rangan, director of consumer safety and sustainability at Consumer Reports." 09-12
- 12 Lifesaving Innovations (CBS News)
"In honor of chlorination's 100th birthday, U.S. News dredged up 12 other innovations that, though often taken for granted, are constantly saving lives. Some, such as flushable toilets, haven't changed a whole lot since they were first introduced, while others, such as medical imaging, seem to evolve faster than fruit flies." 07-08
- Avoiding a Ticket for 'Talking and Driving' (CNN News)
"Law enforcement officials in six states can now give you a ticket for talking on your cell phone while driving, so that hands-free device you should be using for your cell phone is going to become your best friend." 11-08
- Bicycles Recalled (Time.com)
"A popular bicycle maker is recalling about 12,000 bicycles after receiving reports of the bike's front fork breaking and causing riders to suffer nasty falls."
"Specialized Bicycle Components, which sold the forks on at least 18 different bike models through retailers from 2007 until July, said riders should immediately stop riding the bikes." 09-12
- Bowflex Recall (CBS News)
Describes the recall for a Bowflex excercise system. "The machines in question were sold nationwide from 1995 to 2003 for about $1,200 to 1,600, depending on the model. Consumers are advised to stop using the backboard bench in the incline position, and immediately cease use of the 'Lat Tower.' " 1-04
- Dangerous Sealer Grout Recalled (CNN News)
"Friedel said doctors told him a chemical in Stand 'n Seal had severely damaged 30 percent of his lungs. They said he had "chemical pneumonia" and put him in intensive care for four days. Friedel needed an oxygen tank for four months. He still struggles to walk up long flights of stairs or hills without shortness of breath, he said."
"What Friedel didn't know before using the tile grout sealer was that it had been recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission two months earlier. News reports at the time said the product had made dozens of people sick and killed two of them." 10-07
- FDA: Cancer-Causing Benzene Too High in Some Soft Drinks (CBS News)
"A government analysis of more than 100 soft drinks and other beverages turned up five with levels of cancer-causing benzene that exceed federal drinking-water standards, the Food and Drug Administration said Friday." 05-06
- Food Safety and Spoilage (ABC News)
" 'Not all leftovers are created equal,' Doyle said. "So, my rule of thumb is, if it's a highly perishable type of food, like a cooked meat product, three to four days should be the maximum."
"Perhaps the single best thing you can do to extend the shelf life of your foods is to make sure your refrigerator is set at 40 F or lower." 06-06
- Guns and Children (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)
Provides basic suggestions.
- Home Alone Children (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)
Provides basic suggestions. 10-09
- Home Safety (Consumer Product Safety Commision)
Provides tips and articles related to a wide variety of safety products and issues for the home, such as dangers from toys, lead, mercury, cadmium, cords, guns for children, balloons, carbon monoxide, fires, burns, drowning, poisons, indoor air quality, children's furniture, art materials, and more. 07-02-99.
- Houshold Chemicals Disposal (EnvironmentalChemistry.com - Barbalace)
Provides guidelines and a chart (at the bottom) for disposing of common household chemicals. 9-01
- How to Avoid Accidentally Leaving a Baby or Toddler in the Car (CNN News)
"First and foremost, always put your cell phone, purse, or briefcase, and anything else you'll need that day, on the floor of the backseat. When you retrieve it at the end of the ride, you'll notice your child."
"Invest in a device to help you remember small passengers. The Cars-N-Kids monitor plays a lullabye when the car stops and a child is in the seat ($29.95). The ChildMinder System sounds an alarm if you walk away and leave your child in the seat ($69.95)." 07-10
- Natural Gas Detectors (NIDCD.NIH.gov)
"A gas detector can be an important tool to help protect you and your family." 02-10
- Recalled Toys - Recent (CBS News)
"Holiday shoppers who got an early start buying children's products may have bought potentially dangerous items that have since been recalled, the government said Tuesday, issuing its annual holiday safety warning." Provides lists of recalled toys. 11-26-02
- Safety Features Recommended for a Car (Edmunds.com)
"If you're in the market for a family hauler, you'll no doubt want to know which safety features will most benefit you and your brood. Here are 10 we think you should consider:" 7-05
- School, Home, and Family Safety (AskaCop.org)
"We all have questions about what to do if we are the unfortunate Victim of a crime, how to keep our Family, Home and Schools Safe." 05-05.
- Shattering Glass Cookware (Today.com)
"In responses to complaints filed on the CPSC's SaferProducts.gov site, World Kitchen posts these instructions:"
"Always place hot glass bakeware on a dry, cloth potholder or towel."
"Never place hot glass bakeware on top of the stove, on a metal trivet, on a damp towel, directly on a counter or in a sink."
"Never put glass bakeware directly on a burner or under a broiler."
"Always allow the oven to fully preheat before placing the glass bakeware in the oven."
"Always cover the bottom of the dish with liquid before cooking meat or vegetables." 12-12
- Toy Safety (Consumer Product Safety Commision)
Provides tips and articles related to dangers from toys, lead, mercury, cadmium, cords, guns for children, balloons, and more. 07-02-99.
- Treated Wood Decks May Pose Danger to Children (CBS News)
"Citing health risks, this week the EPA halted the production of some pressure-treated wood -- the most commonly used material in structures such as decks, play sets, and fences."
"Pressure-treated lumber was first patented in 1938 and has been used for over 60 years -- generating $4 billion dollar annually. Warren says not all pressure-treated woods have been banned. He explains only CCA-treated wood is prohibited to be manufactured. CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate) has been replaced with a new preservative, which is copper based -- instead of arsenic based. Warren says with the new technology, there is a cost increase of 10 to 20 percent."
"To protect against arsenic exposure, Warren recommends using oil-based semi-transparent sealant every two years. He explains they make a clear seal, but it is not recommended because it only lasts 6 months. Warren says a seal with a little color that repels ultra-violet rays is recommended. Don't use latex-based because it will blister and peal-off."
"If the wood has a greenish tint then it has been pressure-treated with CCA. People don't stain the bottom part, so look under the deck and see if it has a greenish tint. If it was built less than six-months ago, Warren says there is a 99 percent chance that it is [not] pressure-treated with CCA."
"If you are in the market for wood to build a deck or play set, Warren says to:"
"Use pressure-treated wood that says it is treated with ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quat) or some other copper-based preservative." or
"Buy something made with redwood or cedar." 7-04
- Treated Wood Decks May Pose Danger to Children (CBS News)
"It's wood that was treated with a powerful pesticide called CCA that includes arsenic. Under pressure, suppliers have agreed to stop making it."
"But, as CBS News Correspondent Mark Strassmann reports, already 50 million American families, like Horseman's, share a potential health worry. Their wooden deck, fence and picnic table were all built with this wood."
"Most adults don't notice immediate symptoms, but they're not the most at-risk group. Small children are. They touch the wood as they play on it or eat on it and then put their hands in their mouth along with any arsenic that seeped through and the potential health impact is startling." 6-04
- Checking for Spoiled Food (MyFoodSniffer.com)
Provides a device for sniffing to see if food is spoiled. Awesome Library is not endorsing the product but provides it as an example. 08-15
- Dental Emergency Kits (BAProducts.com)
Provides items to respond to a dental emergency, such as a broken filling. Awesome Library does not endorse these products but lists them as examples. 11-02
- Flashlight - LED (BAProducts.com)
"It is only 7/8 inch wide x 1-3/4 inch long x 5/16 inch thick, so it can easily fit in your pocket or purse and be there when you need it." Awesome Library does not endorse these products but lists them as examples. 11-02
- Flashlight - LED (BAProducts.com)
"The PALight works off a single, standard rectangular 9-volt alkaline battery that powers a high intensity white LED (light emitting diode) bulb. In the 'always on' mode it will run continuously for over 2 years (20,000 hours) off the standard battery." Awesome Library does not endorse these products but lists them as examples. 11-02
- Goggles - Safety Goggles (ABCSafetyMart.com)
Provides goggles to protect the eyes. Awesome Library does not endorse these products but lists them as examples. 11-02
- Hypothermia Bags (BAProducts.com)
"Aluminized non-stretch polyester, lightweight emergency survival bag shelters against wind and rain, retains body heat in the cold. Useful in the prevention or treatment of hypothermia. Ideal for including in your emergency kit." Awesome Library does not endorse these products but lists them as examples. 11-02
- Potential Radon Dangers of Granite (CBS News)
"If you have granite countertops in your home, you might consider testing them for the amounts of radon gas they give off, experts say, due to the potential that those amounts are above levels considered safe. 07-08
- Respirator Masks (ABCSafetyMart.com)
Provides masks to protect against particulates and some types of bacteria. Awesome Library does not endorse these products but lists them as examples. 11-02
- Respirator Masks (ReadySafetyKit.com)
Provides masks to protect against particulates. Costs around $10. Awesome Library does not endorse these products but lists them as examples. 11-02
- Seniors - Hip Protectors (Plument.com)
Provides pads to help prevent broken hips in senior citizens. Awesome Library does not endorse these products but lists them as examples. 11-02
- Testing Kits (BAProducts.com)
"There may be potential hazards to your health in your home or office that you may be completely unaware of. Environmental health hazards like asbestos, mold and mildew, radon gas, carbon monoxide, lead and poor water quality can present very serious risks to you and your loved ones. Protect them by accurately testing for these dangers with the reliable Pro-Lab test kits." Kits cost $10 for each type of test. Awesome Library does not endorse these products but lists them as examples. 11-02
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