Everything is Toxic
  • Archives
  • October16th

    Headline Scariness: 4

    The headline shown on the page is a more passive “E. Coli Path Shows Flaws in Beef Inspection” but I’m going with the one they show in the page’s title bar. It certainly sounds bad.

    Actual Danger: 3

    It IS pretty bad. Eating a burger and ending up paralyzed is pretty serious stuff. And the flaws in the inspection process obviously need addressing, and fast. The whole meat factory concept is looking a little suspect these days.

    [ NYTimes.com ]

  • October16th

    Headline Scariness: 2

    Excreting into the river sounds gross, but not especially threatening.

    Actual Danger: 2

    Problem is, in theory the Tamiflu could get on ducks, which could then result in a drug-resistant bird flu. That’s a lot of what-ifs, but still enough to be concerned about.

    [ ScienceNews.org ]

  • October16th

    Oxygen Toxicity

    Posted in: Air

    Headline Scariness: 2

    Wait, I breathe oxygen! Too much oxygen can be harmful? Who knew? Ok, this isn’t a headline per se, just an interesting article.

    Actual Danger: 1

    It’s only dangerous in very specific conditions. Unless you frequent pressure chambers, no danger at all.

    [ Wikipedia.org ]

  • October16th

    Headline Scariness: 1

    Not very scary at all, actually.  It sounds playful and fun.  For shame, NYTimes, this will hardly get people running around in a panic.

    Actual Danger: 1

    Pretty low.  If you bring MRSA home and get it on your pet, the pet can act as a petri dish and breed it, and then give it back to you.  However, even if you did this, there’s only a 2% chance you would actually get infected.

    [ NYTimes.com ]

  • October16th

    Headline Scariness: 3

    Sort of generally alarming, they mention a number but not where. Would have been more alarming if it had said “Dangerous chemical found in air outside schools” – then they would have something panic-worthy.

    Actual Danger: 2

    The chemical is toxic, and was found outside schools all over the country, but it’s an irritant which would probably only affect those with asthma.

    [ USAToday.com ]

  • October16th

    Headline Scariness: 4

    Ok, that sounds pretty bad. Mercury is bad, and it’s everywhere!

    Actual Danger: 3

    Reading the article, only 1/4 of the fish had potentially dangerous levels of mercury. But still, that’s a lot of fish with high mercury levels.

    [ WKOWTV.com ]

  • October16th

    Headline Scariness: 2

    They use the C word, but not too alarmist otherwise.

    Actual Danger: 3

    No good deed goes unpunished, apparently.  Folks try to help out and end up breathing in toxic dust and who knows what other crap at the ground zero site. Not a danger unless you were at ground zero cleaning up, but could be bad news for those folks.

    [ CBSNews.com ]

  • October16th

    Headline Scariness: 4

    That sounds pretty bad. I like water.

    Actual Danger: 3

    If you live near a coal plant or other polluter, it could really suck for you.

    [ NYTimes.com ]

  • October16th

    Headline Scariness: 4

    OMG, I’ll be poisoned if I brush my teeth! And that’s not even counting the Fluoride Conspiracy!

    Actual Danger: 1

    It’s antifreeze, and while it’s toxic, they reckon it only poses a threat to those with existing liver or kidney problems. And it only affects these rather obscure brands: Cooldent Fluoride, Cooldent Spearmint, Cooldent ICE, Dr. Cool, Superdent, Clean Rite, Oralmax Extreme, Oral Bright, Bright Max, and ShiR Fresh Mint.

    [ NYTimes.com ]

  • October16th

    Headline Scariness: 5

    I shower every day! Sometimes more than once! OMG, DOOOOOM!

    Actual Danger: 1

    While it’s true they found bacteria live in shower heads, only 30% had a significant amount. Also, the potentially harmful bacteria is only a risk to those with immune system deficiencies.

    [ ABC.net.au ]