Household Hazards

Defense Mechanisms

Double, Double Toil and Trouble

Paul D. Blanc M.D., M.S.P.H. on October 29, 2017

Halloween is upon us. As the fake furry spiders and cotton-woolish ersatz webs proliferate, what's really scary is dry ice in decorative pseudo-cauldrons and other misuses.

Halloween is upon us. As the fake furry spiders and cotton-woolish ersatz webs proliferate, what's really scary is dry ice in decorative pseudo-cauldrons and other misuses.

Earlier this month two Federal agencies announced they were backing off on a new rule meant to better protect the public from a truck/train barreling down on us out of control...

The “house” in “household hazards” depends on where you spend your time. And, as the venue changes, so too can its potential hazards.

Environment

Let Them Eat Mushrooms

Paul D. Blanc M.D., M.S.P.H. on June 1, 2017

The President’s trashing of the Paris Accord on climate change as a “job killer” was fittingly simultaneous with the CDC report of a outbreak of mushroom poisoning.

The President’s trashing of the Paris Accord on climate change as a “job killer” was fittingly simultaneous with the CDC report of a outbreak of mushroom poisoning.

Environment

Agitating for the Environment

Paul D. Blanc M.D., M.S.P.H. on April 23, 2017

One place to take on global environmental stewardship may be your own laundry room. Remarkably, the spotlight now is not on detergents or bleach, but rather on the apparel itself.

One place to take on global environmental stewardship may be your own laundry room. Remarkably, the spotlight now is not on detergents or bleach, but rather on the apparel itself.

Mania

Manja Mania

Paul D. Blanc M.D., M.S.P.H. on February 27, 2017

As we watch the dismantling of the EPA here at home, the National Green Tribunal in India, its highest legal environmental authority, has been caught up in kite strings.

As we watch the dismantling of the EPA here at home, the National Green Tribunal in India, its highest legal environmental authority, has been caught up in kite strings.

The recent entry ban by President Trump may seem remote from the topic of household hazards, but risk is relative.

In the run-up to Christmas, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced two recalls of faulty high-tech crossbows.

Consumer Behavior

Let’s Make America Toxic Again

Paul D. Blanc M.D., M.S.P.H. on November 25, 2016

To modest press notice, the ongoing Trump-Pence marketing site announced the offering of a special tree ornament touting its well-worn campaign slogan.

To modest press notice, the ongoing Trump-Pence marketing site announced the offering of a special tree ornament touting its well-worn campaign slogan.

The household sponge market is perfect for investigating eco-friendly product claims.

In August a usually staid British medical journal published a modest clinical case report to unusually great fanfare. Media worldwide took note of a “new” disease: bagpipe lung.

This summer, culture consumers were reassured by the retraction of a faulty scientific study: no need to worry about formaldehyde overexposure from fine art installations...

The Centers for Disease Control recently reported on the case of a family poisoned in their home after a botched Florida fumigation. It would be reassuring to view this as a fluke

Stress

Heaviness in the Heart

Paul D. Blanc M.D., M.S.P.H. on July 9, 2016

I recently helped care for a patient recovering from a cardiac arrest. It turned out that part of his problem may have been due to an old spray can.

I recently helped care for a patient recovering from a cardiac arrest. It turned out that part of his problem may have been due to an old spray can.

The United Nations Environment Program recently put out a press release warning that global climate change could increase the rate at which certain foods crops could become toxic.

Two outbreaks of eye injury were recently reported by the CDC. The outbreaks shared one key thing in common – broken lights.

I recently attended a lecture on the topic of the history of paper money and public fears connected to it. Not currency as the root of all evil, but rather as a source of disease.

Health

No Man is an Island

Paul D. Blanc M.D., M.S.P.H. on February 29, 2016

When a close friend contracted a serious West Nile virus infection, it caused me to expand my own considerations of what constitutes a household hazard.

When a close friend contracted a serious West Nile virus infection, it caused me to expand my own considerations of what constitutes a household hazard.

Environment

Leaf Blowers and Rabbit Fever

Paul D. Blanc M.D., M.S.P.H. on January 24, 2016

The recent outbreak of Legionnaire’s pneumonia in Flint Michigan linked to contamination of the public water supply teaches us that we live in an interconnected environment.

The recent outbreak of Legionnaire’s pneumonia in Flint Michigan linked to contamination of the public water supply teaches us that we live in an interconnected environment.

This past week, the CDC released a report on a 59-year-old Iowa man who got sick trying to extract precious metals from scrap computer parts, by cooking mercury on a kitchen stove.