Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
Link Between Chemical in Plastics and Metabolic Syndrome Found - Friday, September 5, 2008
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have shown a link between bisphenol A (BPA), the principle chemical used to make hard plastics, and the occurrence of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is really a combination of factors that leads to increased risks of higher blood levels of sugar and lipids and lowers the body's response to insulin. This can lead to serious health problems such as diabetes, coronary artery disease, and strokes if left untreated. The American Heart Association believes a quarter of the U.S. population has metabolic syndrome. But scientists have estimated that over eight in ten people tested have significant levels of BPA in their bloodstream.
Dr. Nira Ben-Jonathan, lead researcher on this link at UC, states, "People have serious concerns about the potential health effects of BPA. As the scientific evidence continues to mount against the chemical, it should be given serious attention to minimize future harm."
The concern over BPA and its link to future problems should be noted by new mothers because the chemical can be found in things like baby bottles and sippy cups. In April, 2008, Canada began banning the import, sale, and advertising of baby bottles that contain BPA. It has also been known to leach out of the plastic lining in canned foods.
If you believe that you or your loved one's medical problems may be linked to this chemical, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.
Tire Valve Recall - Thursday, September 4, 2008
Faulty tire valve stems may be the cause of millions of tire blowouts a year, according to Consumer Reports. The tire valve stem is the rubber tube used to inflate the tire. The faulty valve stems have been linked to a fatal SUV rollover in California. The SUV rolled when its right rear tire blew out. A lawsuit blames a cracked tire valve. As a result, a recall has been issued by Tech International, a U.S. company that has distributed as many as six million tire valve stems.
Don Mays, who works for Consumer Reports, says, "If you've replaced your tires since 2006, there's a chance that your tire valves are affected by the recall."
The cracks may leak air slowly, which result in a flat tire. However, when traveling at highway speeds, "you could have sudden air loss, and that can be a serious problem."
Consumer Reports states that, while it is not easy to determine if you have one of these faulty valves, there are things you can do. The first is to check your tire pressure once a month and inspect the valves for cracks. To do this, flex the valve toward the tire, rotating it to look for cracks along the stem. If the valve is good, there should be no cracks. If you find a crack, you should take the car to a mechanic and have all tire stems replaced. If you are unsure if you have a valve that has been recalled, really the only way to check is to have a mechanic take the tire off and look for the valve's model number from the inside.
The recalled valve models distributed in 2006 are:
- TR-413
- TR-413CH
- TR-414
- TR-415
- TR-418
- TR-423
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a defective product, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.
Contact our Personal Injury Lawyers and Attorneys today to find an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer near you.
