chl (01/11/83)
According to "MOTHER JONES" (investigative magazine), many
of the warning labels on dangerous household products are
inadequate, non-existent or dangerous if instructions are
followed. They discovered this while thumbing through the
American Red Cross Multimedia Standard First Aid Workbook.
In 1982 a study of 1,019 household products was done by the
New York City Poison Control Center which found 85% had
insufficient, dangerous or non-existent warnings or first-
aid information.
Here are a few of the more recognizable brands:
o+ Inadequate labeling
(1) Absorbine Jr.
(2) Agree shampoo
(3) Ben-Gay
(4) FDS
(5) Listerine
(6) Off! insect repellent
o+ No first-aid labeling
(1) Ajax cleanser
(2) Breck hair conditioner
(3) Comet cleanser
(4) Woolite liquid
(5) Vanish toilet bowl
(6) Johnson Wax Glo-coat
o+ Dangerous labeling
(1) A&P ammonia cleanser
(2) Dip-It coffee pot destainer
(3) Mister Plumber drain opener
(4) Jet Dry water spot preventer
(5) Purex bleach
(6) Soilax wall and floor cleaner
(7) T-Rif laundry detergent
As the old adage goes, "Let the buyer beware!"chl (01/12/83)
Dangerous s labeling means if the instructions on the label are followed, they could be potentially hazardous to the individual involved. Contact your local poison control center and probe them for the correct emergency procedures. PS. The Red Cross wouldn't name the offending labels on the advice of their lawyers, even though their workbook stated, "...some incorrect treatments can cause more damage than the poison itself!" The ethics of the legal profession is another topic that would lead to some interesting dialogue, agreed?