FDA approves new sunscreen product from L’Oreal called Anthelios SX
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today approved Anthelios SX, a sunscreen from L'Oreal to be sold over-the-counter (OTC) for the prevention of sunburn and for protection against ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA) rays. It has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15.
"Sunscreens are an important part of total sun protection strategy as consumers arm themselves against the harmful sun rays," said Steven Galson, M.D., Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "While this product provides protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays, FDA continues to recommend that in addition to using a sunscreen, consumers protect themselves from sun exposure by limiting time in the sun and wearing protective clothing." Read more
FDA Warns against using Bismacine or Chromacine
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers and health care providers not to use a product called "bismacine," also known as chromacine. The FDA is investigating one report of a death and several reports of injury related to the administration of bismacine.
Bismacine is an injectable product that has been used to treat Lyme disease. But bismacine is not approved for anything, including Lyme disease.
Bismacine is not a pharmaceutical and is mixed individually by druggists. It is prescribed or administered by doctors of "alternative health" or by people claiming to be medical doctors. Read more
Lebanon Situation Update
The U.S. Embassy advises American citizens in Lebanon that there will be an unscheduled ship departure from Lebanon on Friday, July 28. We continue to believe that most American citizens who wished to depart Lebanon with U.S. government assistance have now done so. All remaining Americans who wish to depart Lebanon and who are able to do so should immediately proceed to the Dbayeh Processing Center. Processing will begin on July 28 at 9:00 am and continue only until 2:00pm. Do not wait for a call from the U.S. Embassy. Further delay is not advisable.
We do not anticipate additional ship departures.
The U.S. Embassy in Beirut is in contact with some American citizens in South Lebanon who have had difficulty in getting to Beirut. These citizens should remain in contact with the U.S. Embassy for further guidance. Family members in the United States of these individuals may contact the Department of State if they have information on their specific location. Read more
Lebanon Travel Warning
This Travel Warning is being updated in light of the current situation in Lebanon. The U.S. Government is currently organizing and providing transportation for all American citizens wishing to depart Lebanon. We urge Americans who intend to depart to avail themselves of this opportunity now. The Department of State urges American citizens to defer travel to Lebanon. Due to ongoing security concerns in Lebanon, the U.S. Embassy on July 13 was granted authorized departure status. Family members and non-emergency American employees have departed the country. This supersedes the Travel Warning issued on July 13, 2006.
The Department of State is concerned for the personal safety of American citizens due to the current security situation in Lebanon. In light of the recent events in Lebanon and the resulting escalation in tensions, including the closure of Beirut International Airport and the Port of Beirut, American citizens who wish to depart Lebanon are urged to do so. The U.S. Embassy is monitoring the situation in Lebanon closely and is assisting American citizens to depart safely. Read more
Israel, West Bank and Gaza Strip Travel Warning
This Travel Warning is being issued to update information on the general security environment in Israel, Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, and to reiterate threats to American citizens and U.S. interests in those respective locations. Hizbollah continues to launch numerous rocket attacks into Israel, which have resulted in fatalities and injuries to civilians. This is a volatile and extremely dangerous situation. In addition to this, the conduct of the Palestinian Authority government led by Hamas and actions such as the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier by Hamas have caused increased instability in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Violent demonstrations and armed conflicts between supporters of the Hamas and Fatah factions have increased in the Gaza Strip and spread to the West Bank. Overall conditions of lawlessness prevail in the Gaza Strip, Israeli military operations continue, and areas of violent conflict shift rapidly and unpredictably. This warning supersedes the Travel Warning issued February 27, 2006. Read more
East Timor Travel Warning
This Travel Warning is being updated to inform Americans that the Department of State has authorized lifting the ordered departure status of the U.S. Embassy in Dili and the Embassy has returned to normal operations, but security concerns in East Timor remain. This supersedes the Travel Warning issued on May 30, 2006.
Although the Department of State has authorized lifting the ordered departure status of the U.S. Embassy in Dili and the Embassy has returned to normal operations, the Department remains concerned by the threat to the personal safety of Americans in East Timor due to the potential for continued communal and politically motivated violence. Demonstrations in response to the dismissal of 595 members of the armed forces escalated into rioting and violence in April and again throughout May and June.
The Department of State advises U.S. citizens traveling or residing in East Timor to be alert to the potential for violence, to avoid those areas where disturbances have occurred, and to avoid demonstrations and large gatherings. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. Read more
Ryobi Radial Arm Saw Recall
Name of Product: Ryobi Radial Arm Saws
Units: About 145,000
Manufacturer: Ryobi Motor Products Corp. formerly of Anderson, S.C. (“RMP”); Ryobi Electric Tool Manufacturing, Inc. formerly of Chandler, Ariz.; and Ryobi Limited, of Hiroshima, Japan.
Hazard: Cracking of the plastic motor housing can cause the blade assembly to fall during operation, posing a risk of laceration to the operator or bystanders. The detachment may occur unexpectedly and without warning.
Incidents/Injuries: RMP has received five reports of detached blade assemblies, including four reports of lacerated fingers to the saw operators. Read more
Sportsstuff Inc Recalls 19,000 Wego Kite Tubes for Injuries and Death
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Sportsstuff, Inc., of Omaha, Nebraska is voluntarily recalling about 19,000 Wego Kite Tubes.
CPSC staff is aware of 39 injury incidents with 29 of those resulting in medical treatment. Those injuries include a broken neck, punctured lung, chest and back injuries and facial injuries. Sportsstuff has received reports of two deaths in the United States and a variety of serious injuries. Sportsstuff has been unable to determine the cause of the incidents. Nevertheless, the company has withdrawn the kite tube from the market and is undertaking this voluntary recall out of an abundance of caution.
The Sportsstuff Wego Kite Tube is a 10-foot-wide, circular, yellow inflatable watercraft designed to be towed behind a power boat. A rider in the tube becomes airborne by pulling on handles attached to the floor of the tube. Model 53-5000 is printed on the tube near the product valve. The floor of the tube has black caution warning stripes. The cover for the product bears a skull and crossbones and the statement “Never Kite higher than you are willing to fall.” The tubes were imported and sold through marine distributors, mail order catalogs, and various retailers from approximately October 1, 2005 to July 11, 2006 for about $500 to $600.
Consumers should immediately stop using the kite tubes and contact Sportsstuff at (866) 831-5524 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST Monday through Friday to learn how to obtain free replacement products. Consumers can also visit the firm’s Web site at www.sportsstuff.com for more information.
Shimano Quick Release Recall
Name of Product: Shimano Quick Release Device
Units: About 8,500
Manufacturer: Shimano Inc., of Osaka, Japan
Hazard: The quick release skewers can unexpectedly fail or break when locked in position. When this happens the rider could lose control and fall.
Incidents/Injuries: Shimano has received one report of the quick release breaking. No injuries have been reported. Read more
Wal-Mart Office Chair Recall
Name of Product: Mainstays Associate Office Chairs
Units: About 762,000
Importer/Retailer: Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Ark.
Hazard: The legs and backs of these chairs can break, and the chairs can easily tip over, posing a fall hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Wal-Mart has received nine reports of chairs breaking and two reports of tipping. There have been seven reported injuries, including a broken wrist. Read more