On Sept. 8, the U.K. Dept. of Health announced it would lift its lifetime ban on blood donation by men who have sex with other men, a policy that gay activists have long criticized as unfair.
Safety
Why Our Public Health System Isn’t Ready for Another 9/11
As we look back over the decade since 9/11, perhaps the most pressing question is this: are we ready for another one?
Brazilian Blowout Gets Blowback From the FDA
It’s official: Brazilian Blowout is dangerous, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Fridge Out of Power? How to Handle Your Food Safely
As of this writing, some 5.5 million people in the eastern U.S. are still without power in the wake of Hurricane Irene.
Tainted Chinese Honey May Be on U.S. Store Shelves
Millions of pounds of tainted Chinese honey are likely making their way onto U.S. store shelves, according to an investigation by Food Safety News (FSN). The online daily news site reports that Chinese honeymakers are laundering …
Under the Knife: Study Shows Rising Death Rates from General Anesthesia
People have always been afraid of general anesthesia. Many fear they won’t wake up from this “artificial sleep” — actually more of a coma, albeit drug-induced and reversible.
U.S. Sets Rigorous New Safety Standards for Cribs
As of Tuesday, it is illegal to sell a crib in the U.S. that does not meet strict new federal safety standards. That includes sales of all secondhand cribs, which are typically found on sites like eBay and Craigslist, as well as …
FDA Warns Against Sprouts for Salmonella Risk
It’s the sprouts again. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers on Monday not to eat alfalfa sprouts or spicy sprouts in plastic bags labeled Evergreen Produce or Evergreen Produce Inc. because of possible …
FDA Announces Stricter Rules for Sunscreen Labeling
Labeling on sunscreen bottles is about to get a whole lot less confusing. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Tuesday stricter new rules for sunscreen manufacturers’ claims of sun protection, including new …
Bratz Makeup Kit Recalled for Staph Contamination
Toy-maker MGA Entertainment of Van Nuys, Calif., is recalling 6,200 Bratz Makeup Design Sketch Book kits, which contain brightly colored lip glosses and eye shadows for coloring pictures of Bratz dolls, because the kits may be …
Study Ranks 10 Football Helmets for Concussion Safety
No magic football helmet can prevent players from sustaining concussions. But thanks to new research out of Virginia Tech, football players, and their parents, now know which equipment could reduce the risks.
Hand Sanitizers That Prevent MRSA? Not So Fast
(Updated) On Wednesday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it had sent warning letters to four makers of hand sanitizing products that claim to prevent infection from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.
Airport Scanner Safety: What Do Doctors Do?
CNN’s senior medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen, was traveling a few months ago when she noticed a man asking to opt out of the full-body scan at the airport security checkpoint, and getting a manual pat-down instead. In the …