Are We Ill Informed?

[StevenM]

An interesting thing happened at my local tackle shop yesterday that I first thought was quite funny but to some might be quite serious.

To cut a story short this guy was looking at buying a combo to throw plastics with out of a canoe. He got the rod, reel and braid. While the store attendant was spooling uphis reel the guy takes another look at the rod that he has paid for and notices a warning label on the handle.

"For California Residents Only" " Products used in the manufacture of this product are known to casternegetic and may cause cancer"

Well this guys says to the sales person that he is not comfortable with the rod and would like to exchange it for another. The sales person said that the warning lable in that case should be on all rods as it is part of the charateristics of graphite and glass rods manufacturing purposes. I told the guy that he would be ok so long as he doesnt lick the blank for four hours or start chewing and digesting the rod. This guy was serious. He wanted nothing to do with rod.

Well I have seen this lable on lures and line. I dont care. But you may.

So what would you do if faced with such a lable?
Do you read lables?
Do we have enough warning lables?
Do you know about the effects of your chosen past time?

To me everything will kill you in the long run.
Eat KFC and chew on steroid week old chook.
Buy only organic fruit veg and meats? Come on.



These are some interesting thoughts. What are yours?

[Jeremy]

The list of chemicals that are suspected carcinogens is ENORMOUS. You would not touch anything or go anywhere if you tried to avoid all suspected carcinogens.

Same goes for foods. Some are meant to be good for the heart, but may cause increased risks of certain other diseases. If you avoided all food that could cause any disease you would not eat much!

If anyone wants to give away any fishing or boating gear that is suspected of being carcinogenic, I will gladly offer to dispose of it for you.

Jeremy

[DR]

here is a couple more from dangerous products....

label on a popular scooter for children that warns: “This product moves when used.”

warning on a digital thermometer that can be used to take a person’s temperature several different ways: “Once used rectally, the thermometer should not be used orally.”


label on an electric hand blender promoted for use in “blending, whipping, chopping and dicing,” that warns: “Never remove food or other items from the blades while the product is operating.”


label on a nine- by three-inch bag of air used as packing material. It carries this warning: “Do not use this product as a toy, pillow, or flotation device.”

[Wyoming]

Perhaps the warning was specifically for Californians because they need guidance in respect of items that may be eaten. Dead right though folks, surely we need to take charge of our destinies in making our own decisions - if you were to wait all your life for instructions (from the authorities??) then you probably wouldn't take a risk over your entire life span.

I lived in Hong Kong for some years and that town is absolutely full of warning signs, one of my favourites being in the block of aprtments where I lived. Fixed at eye level in the lift was the dire threat:

" It is illegal to use the lift when the building is on fire"

[DICER]

"carcinogenic" not casternegetic *lol*

A long time ago I read about some New Zealand fishing folk who warmed up their soft plastics in their mouth in the cold winter months to make them work better. They all developed lip cancer. I do not have the article at hand, and I can not vouch for the vaility of this article, but I think this is a good warning. For instance don't put soft plastics in your mouth.

Yes I read labels. I am also a scientist by profession and work with strong carcinogenic substances. Labels depend on several things including legislation and whether the item will cause harm.

I think with the rod in question - monomers, hardners etc were used in polymerizing the resin and fibreglass. Monomers are quite often toxic or carcinogenic (Araldite glue for instance, which is used around the household is carcinogenic - that's why they say do not get it in contact with skin). With the rod, I would assume though that the majority are polymerized and safe to touch. In rare instances the polymerization isn't complete, and I would bet my bottom dollar the in the state of California, they are covering any possible lawsuits. Anyway I would use the rod with out hesitation. If you do get, say some araldite on your hands there is only a possibility that you will develop a reaction, later cancer, and die, - usually the risk is low. If it is high, it is unlikely to be widely available, and will be registered as a scheduled toxin.

You will be surpised to find though that chemicals I regularly use in the lab, which are known neurotoxins, are also found in cosmetic creams for women. For instance, another thing I also find is phenol in lip balms - this is a potent neurotoxin and it gives you a tingly sensation once it's acted on your nerves. Phenol also targets the liver and causes burns on contact with skin. It is rather surprising and I'm not sure how things like that end up in these creams.

On the whole most regulations and labels give adequate warnings. There are a few things that could be better labelled or clarified. They are also a few dodgy ones too :

A brass fishing lure with a three-pronged hook on the end that warns "Harmful if swallowed"
A label on a baby's buggy advising "Remove child before folding".
A label on a toilet brush reading "Do not use for personal hygiene"
A label on a child's scooter that said, "This product moves when used."
A warning on a carpenter's electric drill stating "This product not intended for use as a dental drill"
A 30-centimetre CD rack that orders "Do not use as a ladder"
A warning on a pair of cyclist's shin guards saying "Shin pads cannot protect any part of the body they do not cover".

Most of these labels occur in the states.

[FNQCairns]

The greenies and California have a lot to answer for, at least over there that label is so prolific no one even notices it anymore even if it was on a drum of deildrin (sp) .

Just an off side for those that it will matter to - We place our plastic baby bottles into a plastic sterilizer (sic) with water then superheat it in a microwave. Then fill with formula etc..... nice to know we are doing the best job possible of liberating the highly carcinogenic plastisier from all that plastic into the baby's next feed.
There is nonone looking after us in this country..... where it matters!!!!

[StevenM]

Some interesting thoughts guys.

Jeremy you are too bloody greedy tring to get in first with some free bee's. You have to learn to share...lol.

Dicer thanks for the science type of info..ps sorry about spelin mistake.

FNQ.. project is looking good.. must have used some nasties there.

So do we need to have such labels here on all product sold in Australia?

Should my tackle store or all tackle stores have a broard warning over the door as you walk in.?

Tony /AJack... ever had any such reaction in your store??


Cheers Steven

[Billo]

cigarettes , coffee , air conditioners , microwaves , mobile phones , car exaust .....geez ....the list goes on to what ' MAY ' cause cancer...and these are things people brush off and say ' oh well ....i need this and its worth the risk '

lets all go live in a bubble

seriously though every year they find something else causes cancer ....and every years they find out they were wrong about something else aswell .............will we EVER be informed is the question
Cancer seems to be natures way of trying to control thge human population ....my serious belief is we will never beat it ...it will change form and new things will trigger new strains ...never ending cycle

[major-defect]

I read of one in the paper that was on a chainsaw that said do not attempt to stop chain with genitals. Scarey eh!!!

[agnes_jill]

It stuns me how many mums & dads allow their children to play with the loose sinkers whilst they are shopping in our shop. Some of the kids have been wee little toddlers too. They don't seem to be aware of the fact that sinkers contain lead which can easily be absorbed through the skin. I often inform the parents and unfortunatley some look at you very strangley when you try to explain the dangers.

regards sandi

[Poseidon]

Ah, once upon a time we were laughing at the antics of those in Litigationville, USA. How quick this fine country has gone down the same road.

Recent examples of huge payouts for peoples stupidity ( jumping into a canal whilst drunk- diving into a 2' wave break whilst stoned) cases all would remember, only goes to show how manufacturers and suppliers must be ever careful of pending claims.

Geez, our kids can't play tiggy at lunctime for fear that one of their parents will sue the education dept for negligence when little Johnny skins his knee.

Where will it all end.

Regards Cameron.

[DICER]

yeah lead poisoning is a good one....

over here in Europe they are very aware of the use of lead sinkers in freshwater fishing and advise the use of alternatives.

[szopen]

We will not escape.

Both of them.

Carcinogenic substances and US style law/litigation.

All them funny labels are a legal neccesity in some parts of the world.

When I think about how many pure lead sinkers I have tightened with my teeth I should start asking for scans and medication right now.

Yes there are risks we take in our life.
Sun, lead, waves, gasoline and a lot of other stuff.

The way I look at life.
Let's live it to the best we can.

[Bosunsmate]

The yanks make an anti-personel mine called a Claymore that is activated by a small hand operated dynamo device, the explosive device casing has moulded into its front face..."This Side to Enemy"....

Apparently during Vietnam many US marines placed the mines the wrong way around and susequently had over 750 very small ball bearings explosively launched at themselves.

It makes you wonder.......

[kc]

If something is going to kill me, I would rather it be too much time spent using fishing rods!!

"All times wasted what's not spent fishin'"

KC