In early August, more than four thousand residents of the area surrounding a Richmond, California oil refinery were taken to local hospitals for exposure to unknown quantities of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide following a fire at the facility. According to federal investigators, the explosion and resulting fire at the…
Last week, approximately 223,000 child strollers manufactured by Peg Perego between January 2004 and September 2007 were recalled over an alleged strangulation hazard. The company’s Venezia and Pliko-P3 strollers reportedly place children at risk for becoming trapped between trays affixed to the front of the product when a harness attached…
New research published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine this month found that unwanted sexual side effects related to the anti-baldness drug Propecia may continue even after patients stop taking the drug. The study, conducted by researchers from George Washington University, asked 54 men who claimed they experienced side effects…
Recently, many news reports have focused on the long-term effects that concussions may have had on professional athletes. For example, a number of former National Football League players are currently suing the organization over health complications allegedly related to brain injuries they sustained while playing professional football. The short-term effects…
Johnson & Johnson has announced it will phase out the sale of four mesh surgical products used to treat pelvic prolapse, hernia, and bladder control problems in women. Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon unit will reportedly stop selling Gynecare Prosima, Gynecare TVT Secur, Gynecare Prolift, and Gynecare Prolift+M by the end…
Recently released emails and other internal documents suggest the Pfizer Corporation intentionally withheld key safety information related to the company’s pain relief drug Celebrex. With annual worldwide sales in excess of $2.5 billion, the drug is one of Pfizer’s best selling products. Last year, Celebrex was prescribed to about 2.4…
A study recently published in the journal Science suggests federal workplace health and safety regulations in the United States save lives without affecting a company’s profit margin. The study examined data from hundreds of California work sites subject to random Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspections over a ten-year…
A recent study at Michigan State University found states that repealed mandatory motorcycle helmet laws saw not only an increase in motorcycle accident fatalities, but also an increase in organ donations. This was especially true among adult males who are reportedly more likely to ride a motorcycle than their female…
Last week, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrationshut down 26 commercial curbside bus operations in six states due to purported safety hazards. Although the agency’s officials halter operations in Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, many of the 233 affected routes transported passengers along Interstate 95 between…
The number of red light cameras installed at intersections in Texas and throughout the nation has exploded in recent years. In 2000, only 25 U.S. cities used red light camera technology. Currently, more than 500 cities in approximately half of all states have begun using the equipment. Red light cameras…