California Bans Toxic Chemicals in Food
Last month, California became the first state to enact a law banning certain chemicals commonly found in processed food. The law does not ban food, but only the additives. The law urges manufacturers to use safer alternative ingredients. What chemicals are banned? The banned chemicals include brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propyl paraben, and Red […]
Evolution and Advancements in Firefighting Foams
In 1902, Russian engineer and chemist Aleksandr Loran spearheaded the development of the first firefighting foam. Loran’s innovative solution addressed the inefficiencies of water in combating oil and flammable liquid-based fires. NRL and 3M Collaboration in the 1960s Delving into the 1960s, the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) collaborated with the 3M Company to enhance firefighting […]
Active PFAS Laws on Wastewater and Sludge
The persistence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment and potential health risks have thrust these chemicals into the regulatory spotlight. As scientists delve deeper into the impact of PFAS, regulatory frameworks are evolving to address these concerns. PFAS-related laws focusing on wastewater and PFAS-containing sludge are emerging but remain rare. PFAS and […]
Taxotere Multidistrict Litigation Update
Since 2016, lawsuits involving Taxotere, a drug used to treat metastatic breast cancer, have been consolidated in a Multidistrict litigation (“MDL”) in Federal Court in the Eastern District of Louisiana. Judge Triche-Milazzo oversees the litigation. Who are the plaintiffs? Plaintiffs in the MDL are women who received Taxotere to treat breast cancer. As a result […]
Types of Damage Claims Filed in the AFFF Firefighting Foam MDL
Municipalities are filing distinct types of legal actions in the Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF) Products Liability Litigation MDL No. 2873. These legal actions all involve varied damage claims relating to PFAS chemicals. Generally, Plaintiffs claim that firefighting foams containing PFAS chemicals contaminated groundwater near various military bases, airports, and other industrial sites. This contamination damaged […]
Important Update: AFFF Municipal Water Claims
Greetings from Charleston! This is my report from the DuPont $1.3 billion public water service settlement hearing in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina. Judge Gergel will take the matter under advisement, and render a written decision. I feel there’s a good chance the settlement will ultimately be approved. A […]
Important Safety Notifications from the FDA
The Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”) oversees the regulation and safety of prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and medical devices. It also oversees the regulation and safety of many food items and cosmetic products. Below are recent notifications by the FDA concerning the safety of drugs and medical devices: Eye Drops The FDA issued a warning […]
Recent Food Recalls and Safety Notifications
Below is a list of recent food recalls and safety notifications. Oysters Future Seafoods. Inc recently issued a voluntary recall of certain oysters. The recall was initiated after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency tested a batch of oysters and found them to be contaminated with Salmonella and E. Coli. The recalled oysters were harvested around […]
Recent Product Recalls Due to Safety Concerns
Below is a list of consumer product and food recalls initiated after reports of serious injury. Honda Vehicles Honda has recalled over 300,000 vehicles. Accords and HR-Vs are subject to the recall. The recall was initiated after Honda discovered missing seat belt rivets in its manufacturing process. As a result, there are defects in seat […]
Pancreatic Cancer and PFAS Exposure
A Comprehensive Exploration As the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, pancreatic cancer presents a formidable challenge with a grim prognosis. Moreover, despite strides in understanding the genetic underpinnings of pancreatic cancer, the median survival time remains below 6 months post-diagnosis, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. This […]