Alabama Product Injury Lawyer Blog

The New York Times printed an Associated Press article which may strike a fear in many parents' hearts. More and more communities are putting down synthetic turf fields for kids to play soccer, football and other field sports. These synthetic fields use ground up rubber tires as the filler between the blades of grass. The cleats that the kids wear when playing can pull out tiny pieces of this ground up rubber which can then expose the kids to these chemicals should they inhale or swallow them.

Rubber tires are made from chemicals that are known carcinogens. This is where the concern is raised. It is reported that Connecticut and California are conducting their own studies on the health effects of artificial turf. There have been some studies done in both the U.S. and Europe which looked at the potential exposure and health risks to those using turf and have concluded that any health effects are unlikely. This same rubber is used for solid playgrounds and track surfaces. However, it is not as much of a concern in those situations since the surface is in the form of a mat.

Other health concerns have been raised regarding use of turf, including the heat generated when using the turf. Temperatures in the range of 130 to 140 degrees have been measured on these fields, which raise the potential risk of heat stress or heat stroke. The fields do cost significantly more than natural grass, but they save significantly on maintenance costs. The article indicates there are artificial turfs made with alternatives such as cork or coconut husks as fill.

At this point, the jury is still out. However, it is something to think about next time you sign your child up for that community soccer league.

Posted by Craig P. Niedenthal | Permalink | Email This Post | Comments (1)

Posted In: Consumer Products

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That time again to look at what has been recalled this week. Only a few items of significance this week. On with the countdown:

1. Eddie Bauer Play Yards with Rocking Bassinets: These bassinets, referred to as the Eddie Bauer Soothe and Sway Play Yards, can be made to tilt, and as a result the infant can end up in a corner and become wedged in, raising the risk of suffocation and asphyxiation. There are over 70,000 of these bassinets on the market. Models included in the recall are 05046 and 05044 (only units of this model affected are those manufactured before December 1, 2008). The model number is printed on sticker on one fo the support legs. These bassinets were sold at Target, Sears and Burlington Coat factory between January 2008 and May 2009. If you have one of these, stop using it immediately and contact the Dorel Juvenile Group who manufactured the bassinet who will provide you a $40 voucher to purchase a new Dorel product. Apparently you can continue using this as a "play yard", just not a a bassinet. For more information see here and here.

2. Composite Decks by Louisiana-Pacific: This is the material you use to build decks outside your house. About 48 million linear feet of this decking was sold at Home Depot referred to as the "Veranda brand". It was sold on the market from January 2005 through August 2008. The problem is that the decking can prematurely deteriorate and then break, allowing the consumer to fall through the decking and injury themselves. The decking is described as a composite product that looks like natural wood and was sold in various colors such as Tuscan Walnut/Chestnut, Driftwood Grey/Greystone, Pacific Cedar and Western Redwood. If you have this decking you should immediately call Louisiana-Pacific at 1-888-325-1184 for a free inspection. If they find you have the premature deterioration problem, they will arrange for a free replacement. For more information, including pictures of the decking involved, see here.

3. Oriental Trading Co., Face Paint:The FDA has advised consumers to stop using "Face Paint" labeled as distributed by Oriental Trading Co., due to reports of skin reactions in children such as rashes, itchiness, burning sensation and swelling where the paint is applied. The face paints are manufactured by a company called Shanghai Color Art Stationary Company Limited, located in China and the product is distributed by Fun Express Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Oriental Trading Co. For a listing of the paints recalled, see the FDA's website. You should stop using these Face Paints and if your child had a reaction, you can fill out a report at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/medwatch-online.htm

4. A S Medication Solutions Digoxin .25mg Medication On Monday, the FDA announced that A S Medication Solutions, LLC, a drug repackage company, was recalling all its tablets of Caraco brand Digoxin, .25 mg distributed before March 31, 2009 and which are not expired. Digoxin is a drug given to patients to regulate their heartbeat and for those in heart failure. These tablets may be the wrong size and have too much or too little of the active ingredient. If you get too much of the drug you can have Digoxin toxicity whose symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, low blood pressure, cardiac instability and slow heart rate. Death is also a possibility. For more information about this recall, please see the FDA's website. The pill involved is a scored round white tablet imprinted with the number "441".If you take the medication Digoxin, please check your pills as soon as possible.

That's all for this week. Please be careful out there and if you have questions about any of these recalls, or other product problems, please don't hesitate to contact me either by phone or by filing out the contact form. I will respond within 24 hours.

Posted by Craig P. Niedenthal | Permalink | Email This Post | Comments (0)

Posted In: FDA Recalls , Recalls , Recalls of the Week

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Some important issues have arisen in recalls over the past week, so let's get to it.

1. Hydroxycut Products: Last week I wrote this post on the day many of Hydroxycut's products were withdrawn from the market. There is an indication that ingestion of various of the Hydroxycut products can lead to kidney and liver damage. It can also cause a condition called rhabdomyolysis. I am familiar with this condition because it was a condition caused by another drug pulled off the market in 2001, Baycol, a statin, anti-cholesterol drug. If not caught early on, this condition, which starts with muscle ache and pain, and can later cause one to have cola colored urine, can shut down the kidneys and ultimately lead to death. These are serious consequences which can occur as a result of taking this over the counter "supplement". Here is a link to the FDA's Q & A page on the recall of Hydroxycut, as well as an article explaining about the FDA's lack of oversight of the supplement world from BNET Pharma website. .

2. Defective Chinese Drywall: Although not the subject of an actual recall, I have had several posts addressing this problem and just wanted to provide a brief update. According to the Sarasota Herald Tribune, earlier this week, on both the House and Senate side, requests were made to provide the Consumer Product Safety Commission $2 million for it to move forward on testing of Chinese Drywall, as well as providing of public information. This continues to be a significant safety issue and although not the subject of a recall as of yet, that appears to be where this is heading. Additionally, Consumer Reports indicates that the Florida Attorney General has become aware of scams which have arisen as a result of the defective Chinese drywall. These include companies promoting bogus tests to determine if you have the product, as well as quick cure remedies that falsely claim to get rid of the problems with the drywall. Leave it to the scam artists to take advantage of people who are already facing serious problems with their greatest financial investment....their home.

3. Jardine Cribs: Its happening again. Jardine cribs have been the subject of two prior recalls. Now a third recall of about 96,000 cribs that have been sold in places such as Toys "R" Us, Babies "R" Us and KidsWorld. It is reported that the side slats on the crib can break, which can cause a gap that can allow a baby to get his or her head stuck and may lead to strangulation. There have been 31 reports of the slats breaking, including 2 reports of children getting stuck in the gap caused by the broken slat. 7 models are included in this recall and are shown on this page from the CPSC. If you do have one of these recalled cribs, you should stop using it immediately and call Jardine and you will receive full credit toward the purchase of another crib.

4. Under Armour Athletic Cups: On this one, as a guy, all I can say is "OUCH"! Under Armour is recalling over 200,000 of its Athletic Cups as they can break when hit, posing a risk of serious injury to the guy wearing it. Bottom line, it doesn't' do what it is suppose to do....protect the "family jewels" as my junior high gym teacher use to say. This recall involves all athletic cups that have the Under Armour logo, including youth and teen sizes. These cups were sold between January 2006 and March 2009. If you have one of these cups, stop using it immediately and contact Under Armour and they will provide you a $20 voucher for use online or at its stores. For more information, see Under Armour's website here.

5. Haier Toaster Oven/Broilers: The Haier Toaster Oven/Broiler is being recalled because of problematic electrical connections which can come loose and cause electrical shock and burns. There have been over 100,000 of these Toaster Ovens sold between September 2006 through January 2009. The model number that is a problem is RTO1400SS. For a picture of the Toaster Oven in question, see here. If you have one of these Toaster Ovens, stop using it immediately and contact Haier to get a free replacement.

That's all I have for you this week. Please be careful out there. If you have had any issues with the products talked about above, or any other products, please contact me and I will be happy to discuss it with you. I will help in anyway I can.

Posted by Craig P. Niedenthal | Permalink | Email This Post | Comments (0)

Posted In: Consumer Products , Drywall , Hydroxycut , Other Products , Recalls , Recalls of the Week

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The FDA Issued a warning this morning to advise consumers of Hydroxycut products to stop using the products IMMEDIATELY as there is indication some of the Hydroxycut products are associated with a number of serious liver injuries. The Wall Street Journal reports that the FDA has received 23 serious reports of health problems with Hydroxycut products, such as jaundice and elevated liver enzymes, to liver damage requiring a liver transplant, as well as one death of a 19 year old male due to liver failure. Other health issues reported while taking the supplements include seizures, heart problems, and rhabdomyolysis, a muscle damage condition that can cause kidney failure. Symptoms of liver damage as reported by the FDA include jaundice, brown urine, nausea, vomiting, light-colored stools, excessive fatigue, weakness, itching and loss of appetite. The products are generally marketed as "fat burners" and "energy enhancers".

Apparently as a result of the issuance of this warning by the FDA, the manufacturer of Hydroxycut products has agreed to voluntarily recall 14 of its products including Hydroxycut Regular Rapid Release Caplets, Caffeine-Free Rapid Release Caplets, Hardcore Liquid Caplets, Max Liquid Caplets, Regular Drink Packets and Max Drink Packets. For a complete listing of all Hydroxycut products being recalled, see the FDA's website. The Hydroxycut Cleanse and Hoodia products are not being recalled because they do not contain the same type of ingredients as the products which have been shown to be problematic.

It is important to understand that unlike pharmaceutical drugs, dietary supplements such as the Hydroxycut products do not need to prove to the FDA that the products are safe and effective before they are marketed. The FDA can only look at the effects of the product once it is being sold and relies on voluntary reports of problems. The manufacturer is not required to advise of potential problems they have been told about with the supplement.

At this point it is still unclear what substance in the Hydroxycut products being recalled is associated with causing the liver damage. The L.A. Times reports that a medical journal last month raised questions about an ingredient in the products called hydroxycitric acid, which is derived from tropical fruit. The article indicated that this ingredient could damage the liver.

Over the past 10-15 years, as I have focused more on my own fitness and health, I have from time to time tried various supplements. Although I have never used any Hydroxycut products, I have used others and there are two things I learned; yes they do work sometimes, and just because they are referred to as "dietary supplements", does not mean they are safe. As indicated above, the safety testing the FDA requires before marketing for pharmaceutical drugs is not required, thus leaving open the real risk that a supplement can cause a serious adverse effect such as being described with Hydroxycut. Bottom line when considering whether to take a supplement, do all your homework, including investigating what information may be available online, before you take the plunge.

If you have any thoughts or concerns regarding this recall, including issues of potential injury from taking one of the recalled Hydroxycut products, please contact me.

Posted by Craig P. Niedenthal | Permalink | Email This Post | Comments (0)

Posted In: Consumer Products , Hydroxycut , Recalls

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