A warning has been issued about a growing problem with powerful ball-bearing magnets, such as those used in desktop toys for adults and the risk they can pose also to children.  Product safety bodies have received reports of the problems with the magnets and some children have suffered serious injuries, such as small holes in […]

A study recently published in the Environmental Journal has found that a selection of scented consumer products emitted more than 100 volatile organic compounds, including some that are classified as hazardous in the USA. Researchers from the University of Washington tested 25 air fresheners, laundry detergents, fabric softeners, disinfectants, all-purpose cleaners, soaps, hand sanitisers, lotions, […]

A study has estimated the cost of brain disorders in Europe to be in excess of €798 billion a year. The study, which was commissioned by the European Brain Council, found that Europe spends €798 billion a year on neurological and psychiatric conditions. This is more than cardiovascular diseases which cost €192 billion and cancer […]

A children’s face paint set called “Face Paint” which is a blister pack containing 5 multi-coloured face paints has been withdrawn from the market for sale. The reason for the withdrawal is the fact that the product poses a chemical risk due to excessive levels of lead detected in the yellow face paint component of […]

The medicines and healthcare regulatory agency in the UK (MHRA) have warned that a sunless tanning treatment, marketed as Ubertan, is in fact an unlicensed medicine. This means that it contains substances that have not been properly tested so there is no evidence of safety, quality or that it works and its potential side effects […]

Colgate Periogard 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash is being recalled by Colgate-Palmolive as a precaution due to potential bacterial contamination. The bacteria concerned, Burkholderia, is unlikely to cause harm to healthy people but may cause infection in those with a compromised immune system or with chronic lung conditions such as cystic fibrosis. Colgate-Palmolive has initiated the recall […]

Glaxo Smith Kline and Sanofi are being sued by children born half a century ago with birth defects that they allege were caused by the drug thalidomide. Thirteen Plaintiffs claim Smith Kline French, a precursor company to GSK, conducted tests in animals in clinical trials in humans in the late 1950s without adequate consent that […]

Last Halloween over 1,200 children attended the A&E unit of Dublin’s Temple Street Children’s Hospital with burns and scolds. There were over 75 fire work incidents alone requiring trips to hospitals in Dublin last year. Commenting on the latest figures, Liam Moloney, Product Liability Solicitor, said today, “parents should be very careful when purchasing fireworks […]

Health officials have warned people about the possible dangers of undergoing a fish pedicure. While the risk of infection is “very low” people with certain conditions such as psoriasis, should avoid the treatments. The pedicures involve a person submerging their feet in warm water containing the garra rufa fish, which nibble dead dry skin off […]