What Would We Do Without Experts?

Death by bathtub;

Vinyl shower curtains sold at major retailers across the country emit toxic chemicals that have been linked to serious health problems, according to a report released Thursday by a national environmental organization.
The curtains contained high concentrations of chemicals that are linked to liver damage as well as damage to the central nervous, respiratory and reproductive systems, said researchers for the Virginia-based Center for Health, Environment & Justice.
The organization commissioned the study about two years ago to determine what caused that “new shower curtain smell” familiar to many consumers.
“This smell can make you feel sick, give you a headache, make you feel nauseous or [cause] other health effects,” said Michael Schade, a coauthor of the report.

We need a famine.

59 Replies to “What Would We Do Without Experts?”

John Murney: “Quiet, stoic acceptance of life’s hardships reflects a beauty and wisdom of character that no whiner and complainer could ever hope to achieve.”
And I agree with that 100 percent Kate. I Just don’t need to experience a famine to appreciate that!
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John darling, that was me, not Kate, but I appreciate the affirmation nonetheless. And besides, neither Kate nor I were referring to folks like you. It’s the whiners who insist they are entitled to sail through life without any pain or hardship.

gal at her computer @ 9:18, you are absolutely right. Throughout the grand sweep of history one can easily see that no civilization lasts forever and that nature actually takes care of herself by periodically culling the over bloated populations, be they animal, or human. If we think we can prevent that from happening to our civilization we are nothing but silly children. I’m pretty sure it won’t happen in my lifetime, but maybe my grandchildren or great grandchildren will have to deal with it, and it won’t be pretty.

I just bought 18 cans of Kokanee that came inside a plastic beer cooler….man does it have an odour.
I would bet anything it is made in China…speaking of China. I have bought several items that were made in China and they are crap….my winter boots are like wearing shoes in the snow, no traction…the laces don’t stayed tied….my jacket doesnt zipper property….my beard trimmer runs at different speeds..my sunmmer shorts started to have little holes in them like some parasite was eating them….I can’t belive anyone is concerned about China becoming a world power….with their pollution, lack of water, lack of democracy, rampart santary conditions, etc. etc. After all if you cant make a pair of boots…how can you rule the world….just sit back and relax…

Folks, this study wasn’t some academic, government research-grant funded product of a PhD seeker in a university.
It was created by an anti-PVC organizatioon, can you believe it?!
The only science that was done, analyzing chemicals, was farmed out to laboratories.
The authors said to themselves: What is something PVC that is close to people – I know: shower curtains!
Of course when anything is analyzed to parts per billion, all sorts of weirdly wonderfully scarey sounding chemicals will be found. They sent 5, yes five, shower curtains to labs to be analyzed, list the results of the analysis and then make statements along the lines of: It contains chemical XXX; chemicals like XXX may possibly cause cancer, according to some EPA study.
It is one big innuendo and political screed against PVC. It is not scientific research.

Bought a plastic shower curtain at the Dollar Store for a dollar and it stank rank!
Now it*s a paint throw and my new, [ Non-Dollar ], shower curtain seems to smell almost not at all.
Use your brain / nose / common sense and beat the *studies*. = TG

anti-PVC organization?
Hmmm, maybe funded by Hedge Traders who are trying to drop the ACTUAL value of their already sold PHANTOM stock?
parts per billion?
Um, parts per Trillion. Doesn’t matter, it was gas chromatography so there’s no ACTUAL amounts.
What is the difference between the Phantasmagorical USA and Canada?
Julie Vallese, Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC)
“Our toxicological experts took a look at the report and have many, many concerns with the credibility of the science involved.” … “As for the report overall — based on the sound science and information that the CSPC has — the claims that are being made on shower curtains are ‘phantasmagorical,‘” Vallese said, adding that she doesn’t get to use such a word very often in her work as a spokesperson.
Montreal Gazette – TODAY
“Environment Canada will examine a new U.S. study that shows some vinyl shower curtains give off more than 100 toxic chemicals that may be hazardous to human health”