bank run blog

Economists have predicted that the current slump will be prolonged for American consumers, and some have even suggested that the nation may be facing an inevitable and permanent reduction in its standard of living. In this context, perhaps it is not too traumatic to discover that some of the accoutrements and accessories of the boom years have hidden health risks.

Today the New York Times is reporting on the heated debate over radiation in popular “designer” kitchens :

“Allegations that granite countertops may emit dangerous levels of radon and radiation have been raised periodically over the past decade, mostly by makers and distributors of competing countertop materials. The Marble Institute of America has said such claims are ‘ludicrous’ because although granite is known to contain uranium and other radioactive materials like thorium and potassium, the amounts in countertops are not enough to pose a health threat.

Indeed, health physicists and radiation experts agree that most granite countertops emit radiation and radon at extremely low levels. They say these emissions are insignificant compared with so-called background radiation that is constantly raining down from outer space or seeping up from the earth’s crust, not to mention emanating from manmade sources like X-rays, luminous watches and smoke detectors.

But with increasing regularity in recent months, the Environmental Protection Agency has been receiving calls from radon inspectors as well as from concerned homeowners about granite countertops with radiation measurements several times above background levels. ‘We’ve been hearing from people all over the country concerned about high readings,’ said Lou Witt, a program analyst with the agency’s Indoor Environments Division.”

Yesterday the Associated Press ran an article on one doctor’s wake up call for cell phone users :

“The head of a prominent cancer research institute issued an unprecedented warning to his faculty and staff Wednesday: Limit cell phone use because of the possible risk of cancer.

The warning from Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, is contrary to numerous studies that don’t find a link between cancer and cell phone use, and a public lack of worry by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Herberman is basing his alarm on early unpublished data. He says it takes too long to get answers from science and he believes people should take action now — especially when it comes to children.”

This report from Indianapolis NBC affiliate WTHR proves avoiding carcinogens is no picnic :

“For decades, wood used for outdoor purposes was infused with the preservative CCA. The preservative contains copper, chromium and arsenic, and it was pumped into billions of pounds of lumber used for playground equipment, backyard decks and picnic tables to help prevent decay and deterioration.

The lumber industry voluntarily agreed to stop using CCA by the end of 2003 due to pressure from the Environmental Protection Agency and health concerns that arsenic was leaching out of the wood, exposing consumers to an increased risk of cancer and other health problems.”

New York Times : What’s Lurking in Your Countertop?

Associated Press : Pittsburgh cancer center warns of cell phone risks

WTHR TV (Indianapolis) : Poison in the Parks