Consumerist
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one more thing to worry about
Study: Candles May Contribute To Indoor Air Pollution
You may want to think twice about covering up that stench in the bathroom by lighting up 25 votives. A new study by researchers at South Carolina State University found that "paraffin-based candles — the most popular kind — emitted toxic chemicals like toluene and benzene." More » -
artificial sweeteners
Will Nutrasweet Be Banned For Causing Cancer?
The Huffington Post is reporting that new FDA chief Dr. Margaret Hamburg is expected to ban the use of aspartame, the substance in Nutrasweet. Who expects the ban, columnist Samuel S. Epstein neglects to say. More » -
cancer
It's Official: Sunbeds Cause Cancer (But Moles Are Far Worse)
The BBC reports that there is now conclusive evidence that tanning beds can cause cancer—and not just Tacky Cancer, which makes you look orange, but real live go-see-a-doctor cancer. However, sun exposure and tanning bed radiation both pale in comparison to your mole count, according to an earlier report. More » -
A cancer unit at the V.A Medical Center in Philadelphia "operated with virtually no outside scrutiny and botched 92 of 116 cancer treatments over a span of more than six years." The team even continued to perform surgeries for a year after a key piece of equipment broke. [New York Times] (Photo: OakleyOriginals)
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above and beyond
Pixar Arranges Home Screening Of "Up" For Dying 10-Year-Old
We know, that headline just oozes treacle. But it's for real! The family friend of a dying child cold-called Pixar's offices and guessed her way through the phone tree to a live person, then pleaded her case: the child desperately wanted to see Up, but was possibly days away from death and too sick to travel or sit in a movie theater. The next day, a Pixar employee arrived with a DVD of the movie and sat with the family while they watched it. Sometimes people can be really decent to each other. More » -
cancer
Beware The Radioactive Cheese Graters
Ever feel like everything gives people cancer these days? Well, you might not be too far from the truth. A Scripps News investigation found that "radioactive waste is being mixed with other metals in scrap yards and recycling facilities, often overseas, and then shipped into the U.S. in a range of consumer products." The products include household cheese graters, recliners, handbags and forks and knives, along with fences, shovels, elevator buttons, airline components and building steel. [Yahoo! Green] (Thanks to Liz!) (Photo: Richard Faulder) -
funny products
Will Ferrell Introduces Sunscreen For Men
Okay, maybe it's not just for men, but you can't help but feel studly when you look at the labels for these bottles of 30 SPF sunscreen. And yes, it's real; apparently Ferrell is pulling a Paul Newman and selling Completely Random Products for charity. In this case, the proceeds go to a scholarship fund for cancer survivors. More » -
cancer
Latest Brew-Ha-Ha: Cancer In Your Teacup
Enjoying your piping hot breakfast cuppa? Well, get a thermometer and a timer. Because the latest cancer scare comes in the form of overly hot tea (or other liquids), sipped too soon. More » -
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science says
Baby Products: Now With Formaldehyde!
More than half of the baby products recently tested by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics were found to contain trace levels of formaldehyde and dioxane. Though the study didn't accuse Johnson & Johnson of dumping barrels of the potential carcinogens directly into their baby products, the dangerous chemicals can form during the manufacturing process as other ingredients break down. The full list of 48 tested baby shampoos, lotions, soaps, and wipes—including some well-known products you probably have on your shelf—inside. More » -
health
Consumer Advocate Clark Howard Announces He Has Prostate Cancer
The consumer advocate, author, and radio personality Clark Howard told his listeners yesterday that he's been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Fortunately, it was caught very early, so chances are excellent that it can be removed without complications. Like a true advocate, Howard took advantage of the announcement to urge men over 40 to get regularly screened for prostate cancer.
"Consumer advocate Clark Howard diagnosed with prostate cancer" [CNN]
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bpa
Study Finds Bisphenol-A Can Enter Your Body Through Non-Food Sources
A new study from the University of Rochester shows that bisphenol-A (BPA), a potentially toxic chemical found in many plastics, can enter the body via non-food sources and lingers in the body longer than previously thought. More » -
mouthwash
That Burning From Mouthwash? It's Cancer
Great news, kids! Australian researcher Michael McCullough says you should stop using alcoholic mouthwashes like Listerine and Scope because they could give you oral cancer. More » -
pharma
Drug Maker Accused Of Paying Ghostwriters To Pen Journal Articles
A drug company is accused of paying ghostwriters to write favorable articles about their drugs — even after one drug was shown to raise the risk of cancer. More » -
The New York Times has an interesting article about the speed at which new medical devices are approved by the FDA. The article focuses on a breast cancer treatment that is widely prescribed, but which has not been conclusively shown to be as effective as traditional radiation. [NYT]
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cancer
FTC: These Eleven Companies Cannot Cure Cancer
We're sorry, but there is no cure for cancer. The FTC is going after eleven companies that claim otherwise by selling potions, herbs, and a "systematized program of thinking good thoughts" masquerading as cures. You shouldn't need a federal agency to tell you that the "Miracle Water for Cancer" doesn't actually cure anything, nor does it reverse weight gain and aging. Bummer. Six of the snake oil companies agreed to settle, but five will crawl before a judge and argue that they can cure cancer. Let's look at the list... More » -
potato chips
Potato Chips: Now With Fewer Carcinogens!
Four major potato chip makers have agreed to use less of the carcinogen Acrylamide under a settlement with the California Attorney General's office. Frito-Lay, Heinz, Kettle Foods, and Lance Inc. also agreed to pay a $3 million fine for flouting state laws that require companies to place warning labels on products with carcinogens. More » -
cellphones
10 Practical Tips To Keep Your Cellphone From Killing You
Have you heard, cellphones are deadly. Science told us so this week when Dr. Ronald B. Herberman of the esteemed University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute realized that cellphones emit death rays that fry your brain and turn you into a baby-eating Communist, or give you cancer or whatever. Dr. Despair isn't a downer though! Inside, 10 practical ways to keep your precious little brain safe from those ubiquitous chirping cancer slabs... More » -
What Common Household Products Are Potentially Killing Us Today?: We bring you some panic over dryer sheets, fabric softeners, detergents, and solid, spray and plug-in air fresheners. "When UW engineering professor Anne Steinemann analyzed of some of these popular items, she found 100 different volatile organic compounds measuring 300 parts per billion or more — some of which can be cancerous or cause harm to respiratory, reproductive, neurological and other organ systems." Rats. [Seattle P-I]
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cancer
New York, 9:03 PM
Sat Nov 14
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