Year: 2020
FDA panel urges higher testing standards for asbestos in cosmetics
Many cosmetics, from baby powder to eye shadow, contain talcum powder. Unfortunately, evidence increasingly suggests that talc sometimes contains asbestos, and exposure to asbestos causes mesothelioma, lung cancer, or certain non-malignant lung diseases. Public health authorities have long warned of the potential for asbestos-related diseases among people who routinely use talc products. Thousands of plaintiffs
What is CTE?
Your brain is the epicenter of every emotion you feel, every decision you conclude and every move you make. That is what makes brain injuries so dangerous. Even one injury could significantly affect your physical abilities as well as your mental and emotional health. A single brain injury could pose a significant risk, but what
How reliable are breathalyzers? Michigan state police take them offline
On Jan. 13, the Michigan state police announced that they would stop using all 203 breathalyzer machines they operate in stations around the state. The breath testing machines, Datamaster DMT evidential breath-alcohol testing machines, may have been improperly calibrated. The agency said that contract employees of Intoximeters Inc., the state’s Datamaster vendor, may have committed
Johnson & Johnson settles asbestos-talc cancer claim in mid-trial
Nearly 17,000 lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson accusing the company of selling talcum powder products that it knew were laced with asbestos. Asbestos is known to cause mesothelioma, a rare but deadly form of cancer, and other lung cancers. There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos. In a recent case
Good news on lung cancer: What to make of it
Recently, an analysis by the American Cancer Society found that the overall cancer death rate in the U.S. made its “biggest single-year drop ever,” or 2.2%, between 2016 and 2017. On average, cancer rates have been dropping by about 1.5% per year over the last three decades. That means the cancer death rate dropped nearly
Know your rights if you’re pulled over for DUI in Tennessee
Being pulled over for a DUI can be terrifying. Whether you’re actually over the limit or not, you should know what your legal rights and options are before you decide what to do. Here is a quick Q&A: What should I do if the police pull me over? Remain calm and do not panic. Pull
Study: Common pesticides linked to mortality, heart disease risk
Pyrethroids are insecticides that are widely used for mosquito and tick control. They are synthetic versions of an insecticide called pyrethrin, which is derived from chrysanthemums. You may have come into contact with pyrethroids because they are commonly used in chemical mosquito control.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that people treat their
Do ignition interlock devices actually cause more accidents?
If you’re convicted of drunk driving in Tennessee or 33 other states, you could be required to have an ignition interlock device installed on your car. This device is kind of like a breathalyzer. It is hard-wired into your car’s engine — at your expense — and requires you to provide a clean breath sample
Planning a home remodeling project? Plan for asbestos risk
Asbestos is a fiber that was widely used in insulation, flooring, roof tiles and other building materials especially before 1978. The Environmental Protection Agency says there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Exposure can cause serious illnesses, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. If you have a home that was built before 1978, there