AW: [ RadSafe ] MSDS stupidity

[Franz Schönhofer]

Franz Schoenhofer
PhD, MR iR
Habicherg. 31/7
A-1160 Vienna
AUSTRIA
phone -43-0699-1168-1319


> -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
> Von: radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl [mailto:radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl] Im
> Auftrag von Robert Atkinson
> Gesendet: Donnerstag, 07. Juli 2005 18:12
> An: Mercado, Don; James Salsman; radsafe at radlab.nl
> Betreff: RE: [ RadSafe ] MSDS stupidity
> 
> I was once sent a sample of a hazardous chemical to test in one of our
> dispensing machines. It was in the packaging of a well known Lab
> chemical supplier and complete with a MSDS. The safety precautions
> included gloves, eye and respiratory protection. Skin contact was to be
> avoided and if ingested immediate medical attention should be sought.
> What was this highly dangerous chemical? Liquid paraffin, a common
> ingredient of baby oil and a common laxative!


> I guess if they put all possible warnings on the MSDS then they can't be
> sued.

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I can imagine, that this is the point! In Europe we receive our prescribed
drugs not in small bottles counted by a pharmacy or a Wal Mart(?), but we
receive sets from the original company in a well sealed package. Any of
those packages contains a rather lengthy and really exhaustive description
of the drug, of how to take it, and also a lot of information about possible
adverse effects, which might be half of the text, ranging from slight nausea
to death. My doctor told me some years ago, that I should better not read
this part of the package insert, because otherwise I might decide not to
take the pills.... Nevertheless the real reason for mentioning all possible
side effects is nothing else than a precaution for that they might be sued,
if those effects would occur.

Remember the recent alarms in the USA regarding VIOXX and Celebrex. I took
two days ago a Celebrex my mother was advised to discontinue and she gave it
to me and I really slept without any pain in the shoulders and one of my
knees. Probably I will now die a few seconds earlier than I was scheduled
to, but it was worth it. 

Best regards,

Franz