Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer - Toxic Substances

Another Salmonella Outbreak?

Jeff Rasansky — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:59:05 GMT

There has been somewhat of a salmanalla outbreak across the country, with 388 cases reported in 42 states. Five of these cases were in Texas and one of them was in Tarrant County (North Texas Area). Health officials are clueless as to what has caused this particular outbreak.

The lab at the Tarrant County Health Department said that they are looking for a common strain of salmonella known as typhimurium. What worries the Centers for Disease Control is the fact that typhimurium has made people in Texas and several others across the nation ill.

There were five cases in all in Texas, including Tarrent County, Travis, Harris and Willacy counties. It is likely that these cases may have been linked to foods that were distributed across the United States.

So far, the CDC has yet to issue a warning. It is important to note that typhimurium is most often found in eggs, cheese, poultry and unpasteurized milk. So far there have not been any cases in Dallas, Collin, or Denton counties.

In 2006, the FDA recalled baby spinach and in 2007, peanut butter was recalled after salmonella was found in Peter Pan and Great Value brands. Last year, peppers were linked to a number of recalls and incidents, including many throughout the state of Texas.

The symptoms of salmonella poisoning are typically nausea and vomiting and abdominal pains and diarrhea. Fever chills and muscle pain may also be associated with Salmonella poisoning.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

Online Weightloss Supplements Can be Dangerous

Jeff Rasansky — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:38:41 GMT

The FDA has issued a warning regarding several weight loss products that are being sold online. The agency is currently warning consumers not to purchase these products because they might actually contain undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients.

These weight loss products are marketed as dietary supplements in many cases and are promoted and sold on various web sites and in retail stores. Some of these products claim to contain only natural or herbal ingredients, however, they might actually have harmful elements that are not listed on the labels.

NOTE: These products ARE NOT approved by the FDA, are in fact illegal, and might be potentially harmful to consumers. Some of the products that the FDA has listed include:

2 Day Diet

3x Slimming Power

3 Day Japan Lingzhi

999 Fitness Essence

Perfect Slim 5x

Venom Hyperdrive 3.0

An analysis conducted by the FDA found that the active ingredients in some of these products included sibutramine (a controlled substance), phenytoin (an anti seizure medication) and even a suspected cancer causing agent called phenolphthalein. The FDA says that these products are putting consumers at undue risk. Sibutramine, for instance, is associated with seizures, trachycardia, heart attack and stroke. This drug can also interact with other medications and increase the risk of side effects.

If you have taken any weight loss product and experienced negative effects to your personal health, contact a personal injury attorney by filling out the free case evaluation form to the right of this blog.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

Lean Cuisine Meals Contaminated With Plastic

Jeff Rasansky — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:56:21 GMT

Uh oh. Looks like you need to put your lunch down for a minute.

Thousands of packages of Lean Cuisine meals are currently being recalled because they might in fact contain plastic. According to Nestle, their Pesto Chicken with Bow Tie Pasta, Chicken Mediterranean and Chicken Tuscan may all be contaminated with plastic and should under no circumstances be eaten.

The Food and Safety Inspection Service has stated that so far one person has been injured by the plastic that was found in these meals. The Pesto Chicken comes from a 9.5 ounce package with a production code of 8280595912 and a date that states it is Best Before May 2010.

The Chicken Mediterranean comes in a 10.5 ounce box and could have many different production codes and dates:

82331595912 or 8241595912 with Best Before Sept. 2010 stamped on it, 8263595912, 82695911, ir 8274595912 with Best Before Oct. 2010 or 8291595912 or 8301595912 with Best Before Nov. 2010.

All of these packages, which are distributed throughout America, have an establishment number of "EST P-9018" that is printed on the box.

Nestle has found hard plastic in its prepackaged meals before, when a similar recall was issued in January of 2006.

For more information about the recall please call Nestle at 1 800 993 8625.

Have you been injured by one of these Lean Cuisine meals? If so, contact a personal injury attorney immediately to find out what kind of action you may take.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

FEMA Trailers Contaminated With Formaldehyde Being Auctioned to Public

Jeff Rasansky — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:06:04 GMT

Toxic trailers that are currently being used to house Hurricane Katrina survivors are now being sold as scrap by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Already, lawmakers are concerned that these trailers might be used in housing projects, despite the fact that they may be contaminated with formaldehyde.

FEMA trailers were given as temporary housing facilities in 2005 after many people were displaced from their homes in Mississippi and Louisiana. By 2006 FEMA was getting reports from field workers that residents were getting sick from the air in these toxic trailers. E-mails that were uncovered during a congressional investigation showed that FEMA lawyers adviced FEMA not to test the trailers because "doing so would implyt FEMA's ownership of the issue".

Finally, last year, FEMA and the CDC conducted tests of 519 trailers. The tests confirmed that the trailers posed a serious threat to the residents that still lived inside of them. After announcing their findings, CDC urged FEMA to move residents from the toxic trailers as soon as they could.

So far, FEMA has identified around 10,000 travel trailers that could be designated as scrap and sold. FEMA plans on making the scrap available through the GSA (U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) website. The trailers are currently being shown intact on the website.

Formaldehyde is a chemical that has been linked to cancer. It can cause several other conditions, from nose bleeds to bronchitis. Formaldehyde is also listed as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Have you come into contact with one of these trailers? Please, let us know!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

9/11: 7 Years Later, Health Issues Still Rampant

Jeff Rasansky — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:05:14 GMT

It is officially the 7^th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and research is showing that rescue workers are dealing with serious health problems as a result of their exposure to ground zero. Victims are still dealing with serious asthma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and serious psychological issues.

According to a study done by the Health Department, within 2 to 3 years after 9/11, 3 percent of enrollees reported developing asthma and 16 percent reported post traumatic stress disorder. Many of those who suffer from asthma were within close proximity to ground zero. Minorities, women and people from lower incomes were identified as having a higher rate of problems associated with the attack.

Astonishingly, 3 percent of Lower Manhattan residents developed asthma within two to three years after 9/11. This is believed to be twice the rate of normal asthma development. PTSD rates were a monumental 20 percent higher for those who were unable to evacuate.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

Kroger to Expand Ground Beef Recall to 20 States

Jeff Rasansky — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:56:00 GMT

Kroger to Expand Ground Beef Recall to 20 States

Don’t be so quick to take a bite out of that holiday hamburger! Kroger has expanded its voluntary recall of some of its ground beef products to its stores in more than 20 states. They believe that meat may be contaminated with E. coli!

This recall comes from meat obtained from one of Kroger’s suppliers, Nebraska Beef Ltd,. That has been linked to illnesses reported in Michigan and Ohio between May 31 and June 8 caused by E. coli bacteria. Nebraska Beef has already recalled from wholesalers and other processing companies nearly 532,000 pounds of ground beef produced on five dates between May 16 and June 24.

“Ground beef in stores today comes from other suppliers not involved in the recall,” Kroger spokeswoman Meghan Glynn said Wednesday.

Kroger has so far been notifying customers about the expanded recall by placing signs in stores in meat departments. It is also using a notification system linked to its register receipts.

Symptoms of E. coli infection can include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting and fever. It can potentially be deadly, but most people recover within five to seven days. Health officials are urging people to cook their hamburgers thoroughly and, if possible, use a digital thermometer to make sure that their meat has been heated to a minimum of 160 degrees. It’s also a good idea to wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling meat.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

CDC Reports that FEMA Trailers Are Toxic

Jeff Rasansky — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:36:40 GMT

It’s been two years since residents of the FEMA trailers along the Mississippi Gulf Coast began reporting a myriad of health problems. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced on Thursday that government tests confirmed the presence of toxic formaldehyde in travel trailers and mobile homes provided by the agency.

FEMA has been trying to relocate all of the residents of the trailers as soon as possible due to the hazardous chemicals being present.

The levels of formaldehyde gas in mobile homes in Louisiana and Mississippi were five times what people are exposed to in modern homes. As the summer heat rapidly approaches, the gas levels will only be raised.

Currently there are around 114,000 individuals living in FEMA-provided mobile homes and trailers.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

Man's Death Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

Jeff Rasansky — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:22:10 GMT

Officials are still searching for the source of the salmonella outbreak that has been linked to 3 types of raw tomatoes. So far, several companies have taken red plum, red Roma and round red tomatoes out of their inventory.

Raul Rivera, a 67-year old cancer patient, died last week and the Houston health department has claimed that the salmonella strain was a contributing factor. Rivera’s wife said he was hospitalized after eating tainted pico de gallo.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that since April, 145 people have been infected by the same strain of salmonella. At least 23 people have needed hospitalization.

Salmonella is a bacteria that lives in the digestive tracts of humans and other animals. The bacteria can cause fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps and usually lasts from four to seven days. The elderly, small children and people with a weakened immune system are particularly at risk.

Click here to learn more about this salmonella outbreak and what kind of precautions you need to take to protect your family.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

Salmonella Cases On the Rise

Jeff Rasansky — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:34:03 GMT

Salmonella poisoning is a common form of bacteria infection that occurs most often as a form of food poisoning. Salmonella live in the intestines of humans and other animals and are usually transmitted through contact with contaminated foods or animals. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. The infection usually runs a course of about 4 to 7 days and most people tend to recover without treatment.

In some cases, however, Salmonella poisoning can be so severe that the patient may require hospitalization. The infection can even spread to the blood stream and cause death. The elderly, infants and those with immune deficiencies are the most at-risk for severe illness as a result of Salmonella poisoning.

Currently, there isn’t a vaccine to prevent Salmonella poisoning. Because foods of animal origin can be contaminated with the bacteria, people should not eat raw or undercooked eggs, poultry or meat. It is also important that you wash your hands after contact with animals, reptiles in particular. Reptiles and chicks/ducklings can carry the bacteria so it is not advisable to have such pets in the same home as small children.

Recently, an outbreak of Salmonella occurred in New Mexico, leaving 31 people sick. An investigation has proven that undercooked tomatoes were the culprits.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

Chemical Found in Common Snacks Linked With Cancer

Jeff Rasansky — Wed, 14 May 2008 11:12:53 GMT

According to a recent study, the chemical acrylamide has been linked to several forms of cancer. Acrylamide is found in French fries, potato chips and even bread and coffee. Studies conducted in the Netherlands found that this chemical is a more prevalent threat than once believed.

A study conducted on nearly 21,000 participants between the ages of 55 and 70 found that those who ate the highest amount of acrylamide had a 59% greater risk for kidney cancer than those who ate the least acrylamide. Cancers of the kidney, bladder and prostate were found in a 13-year follow up with the participants.

In a similar study, researchers found that postmenopausal, nonsmoking women who consumed the most acrylamide had an increased risk for ovarian and endometrial cancer. The study was published last December in the journal Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention and the latest findings appear in the May issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported that 100% of Americans consume acrylamide.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky