"Lead poisonings linked to Indian imports; Children’s cases connected to some powders, spices" by Beth Daley, Globe Staff | March 20, 2010
Boston researchers have linked lead poisoning in four local children to imported Indian powders and food spices, and follow-up tests found some ceremonial powders and spices sold in local specialty grocery stores contained detectable amounts of the toxic metal.
Researchers from Children’s Hospital Boston, Wellesley College, and the Harvard School of Public Health found the harmful neurotoxin in half of the powders — often rubbed on the skin for religious or cultural reasons — they bought in 15 Indian stores around Boston. One popular powder, a bright red one called sindoor, had very high levels of lead. Lead showed up as well in a quarter of the food products they tested, though at low levels.
The study included only a sampling of specialty stores, the researchers cautioned, and three of the four poisonings were clearly linked to the powders, probably ingested accidentally by children. Researchers said the poisoned children were chronically and sometimes daily exposed to the powders and spices.
“To us, the take-home message is that immigrant families are most at risk,’’ said lead author Cristiane Gurgel Lin of Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas, who recently completed her residency at Children’s Hospital. “For the consumer, the bottom line is awareness. You can continue your regular practices, but be aware of what you are putting in your mouth.’’
I'm not going to comment on that one today, but did they ever leave an opening.
While lead paint or its residue is still responsible for the majority of lead poisoning in children, the findings are the latest to point to toys, cosmetics, candy, and other imported food and products containing lead levels that can contribute to or cause poisoning.
A US Food and Drug Administration spokesman said in an interview yesterday that the agency is already stepping up efforts to identify high-risk imports that can contain contaminants and has already banned imports of kohl, an eye cosmetic used in India and other countries that can contain lead. The FDA also issued public warnings about a lead-laden brand of sindoor in recent years that led to a company recalling the product in January 2008.
Yeah, they have our full confidence.
Even small amounts of lead can cause problems, because over time the toxic metal accumulates in bodies. Lead poisoning can lead to lower intelligence, attention deficits, and behavior problems....
And then you can PUMP the KID$ full of P$YCHOTROPIC$!
Keep the cars out, too:
"India’s Tata Motors confronts safety issues; Company calls fire an isolated event" by Erika Kinetz, Associated Press | March 26, 2010
MUMBAI — New questions about the safety of the pint-size auto are being raised, however, since one of them burst into flames Sunday as it was being driven home from the showroom....
NOT a GOOD MARKETING STRATEGY!
Software engineer Satish Sawant’s ordeal showed just the latest problem with the low-cost Nano as Tata Motors sets its sights on global expansion and aims to ramp up production of the car with a new factory next month.
How would like this nice Fireball, 'er, Firebird here, Amurkn?
Tata Motors spokesman Debasis Ray said the company is investigating the cause of the fire. Although Ray said the automaker believes it was “a one-off, stray incident,’’ he also said he did not know how the blaze began.
Then YOU CAN OWN ONE!
I'll choose SOMETHING ELSE!!
“It did catch fire,’’ Ray said. “We’re trying to figure out what may have caused it. Safety has never been an issue with Tata cars. They are one of the safest cars on Indian roads.’’
Then they must be the most dangerous on the planet with cars going poof all over the place, huh?
The Nano has gotten rave reviews and awards, but some say the smoke and fire problems are symptomatic of pervasive quality-control issues at India’s number three carmaker.
Your number three dead in the water like ours?
How much of a bailout is that costing you?
The Nano was meant to bring automobile ownership to the impoverished masses — eventually around the world — by offering a safe car to people who could not otherwise afford one....
Of course, they burn brides and its not even mentioned.
Deepesh Rathore, an auto analyst at IHS Global Insight in New Delhi. “On quality standards, Tata barely makes the cut.’’
Yeah, if you want to incinerate people.
There are fewer than 30,000 Nanos on the road, which means that, on a percentage basis, the problem rate is fairly high, Rathore said.
But they are the safest on the road!?!
“The Nano is a wonderful product, but these incidents really tarnish the image of the car as well as the company,’’ Rathore said....
So it is more than one?
--more--"
That kind of company deserves to go out of business.
