Is Lead Really Dangerous Only in California?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the perception and implications of warning labels, particularly focusing on the phrase "This product contains lead, a harmful substance in the State of California." Participants explore the absurdity and humor in various warning labels, questioning their necessity and effectiveness in conveying risk, especially in the context of lead and other substances.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the warning about lead is only relevant in California, implying a lack of concern outside the state.
  • Others share humorous anecdotes about various warning labels, highlighting their absurdity, such as warnings on household items and food products.
  • A participant discusses the potential necessity of warnings for allergens, like nuts in peanuts, emphasizing the importance of context in labeling.
  • There are mentions of warnings that seem overly cautious or unnecessary, such as those on common household items, raising questions about societal standards for safety communication.
  • Some contributions reflect on the cultural implications of warning labels, questioning the extent to which they are needed and the responsibility of adults versus children in understanding risks.
  • Participants express frustration with vague warnings, such as those that state products "may" cause harm, suggesting they can be misleading or unhelpful.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the necessity or effectiveness of warning labels. There are multiple competing views regarding the appropriateness of certain warnings and the implications of labeling practices.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various assumptions about the audience's understanding of risks and the effectiveness of warnings. Some participants highlight the potential for confusion in labeling practices, particularly regarding allergens and substances like lead.

mbrmbrg
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My vote goes to

"WARNING: This product contains lead, a harmful substance in the State of California."

But outside the State of California, eat all the lead you want!
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
On the bottom of boxes:

Do not flip over.

----------------------------------


Windex: DO not spray in eyes.
 
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Do not look into laser cavity with your remaining eye

"Danger hole" - at the shaft of a 1000m deep gold mine!

The best is a possible apocryphal story from WWII. Artilary shells are perfectly safe if dropped on the pointy end, the fuse has to be armed by the force on the base when fired. Because of this shells are normally stored pointy end down - this lead to a famous notice:
"Warning these shells must be stored upside down - to avoid confusion the top of the crate has been marked bottom"
 
Once I was trying to connect to a printer from an oscilloscope. I got a warning message from the scope "cannot connect, printing failed". But the printer received it anyway. So I printed "cannot print". At this very moment, I thought I should frame it.
 
This product contains nuts.

Found on a bowl of peanuts in the company cafeteria.
 
"Warning - This product may contain fish" on a label of canned tuna fish.
 
Ouch! Hot! Burn!

Warning on a water heater.

My favorite warning label is used by one of my customers. It shows a hand with severed fingers and gushing blood. It definitely gets your attention!
 
"Contents may be hot" on a cup of coffee.
"contains nuts" on a bag of peanuts sold as bird food.
 
Ivan Seeking said:
My favorite warning label is used by one of my customers. It shows a hand with severed fingers and gushing blood. It definitely gets your attention!

They make proactive chastity belts?
 
  • #10
jimmysnyder said:
This product contains nuts.

Found on a bowl of peanuts in the company cafeteria.

That's a valid warning if the peanuts are packaged using the same equipment that's used to package nuts. Peanuts are not nuts and people allergic to nuts are not normally allergic to peanuts - unless there's a chance that traces of nuts are packaged along with the peanuts. This shouldn't happen, but there is a chance if the peanuts use the same packaging equipment since cleaning between products isn't guaranteed to remove all traces of the nuts.

If the equipment for the two products (peanuts/nuts) is never used for the other, then the warning is unnecessary.
 
  • #11
"Warning--This product contains dairy/" (on a carton of milk)
 
  • #12
Household iron warns:
Never iron clothes while they are being worn.

from:
http://www.power-of-attorneys.com/wacky_warning_labels.asp
 
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  • #13
Toilets and urinals flushed
with reclaimed water

DO NOT DRINK​




(Actual image available on request)
 
  • #14
Serious infections, some fatalities, rare cases of tuberculosis, rare cases of multiple sclerosis and other central nervous system disorders have been observed, rare reports of blood disorders... reports of the worsening of congestive heart failure as well as rare reports of new cases of congestive heart failure. possibly an increased risk of developing lymphoma...

All this to help clear up a skin condition? That's okay, I'll stick with my liver and kidney damaging topical creams.
 
  • #15
Yes I live in this state now...

This textbook contains material on
evolution. Evolution is a theory, not
a fact, regarding the origin of living
things. This material should be
approached with an open mind,
studied carefully, and critically
considered.

Of course the best response was that it didn't go far enough and should be included with all theories, such as gravity.
 
  • #17
mgb_phys said:
"Warning these shells must be stored upside down - to avoid confusion the top of the crate has been marked bottom"

wtf?

The warnings on Chinese toys are often pretty funny. Things like do not stick knives in children.

Although mundane, I like how coffee cups always say something like "Caution: Contents May Be Hot"
Boiling water is hot? I had no idea.
 
  • #18
http://www.engrish.com/image/engrish/dangerengrish.jpg
 
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  • #19
Actually, that's not all that bad. Every theory, including gravity, should be "approached with an open mind, studied carefully, and critically considered". I wish creationists would do that!
 
  • #20
mikelepore said:
15 Stupidest Warning Labels
http://www.oddee.com/item_88437.aspx

The warning label about not holding the wrong end of the chain saw might make sense. I doubt any sane person would knowingly grab the wrong end of a chain saw when the blade is moving, but they might do so when the chain saw (or circular saw, or jig saw) isn't activated. It's amazing how many people are sure there's no chance the chain saw could be unexpectedly activated, or how many people are sure there's no bullet in the chamber of a gun, for that matter.

I am surprised that warning label would be required on the screwdriver set, however.
 
  • #21
BobG said:
I am surprised that warning label would be required on the screwdriver set, however.
That's actually a new fad, believe it or not, I was listening to it being discussed on the radio.
 
  • #22
Evo said:
That's actually a new fad, believe it or not, I was listening to it being discussed on the radio.

 
  • #23
HallsofIvy said:
Actually, that's not all that bad. Every theory, including gravity, should be "approached with an open mind, studied carefully, and critically considered". I wish creationists would do that!

Evo said:
That's actually a new fad, believe it or not, I was listening to it being discussed on the radio.

But perhaps not every theory (or fad) is worth an actual experiment.
 
  • #24
what level of stupidity do we want our culture to sink to?

Should there be a warning label on my kitchen faucet (and all other faucets)

WARNING: DRINKING TOO MUCH WATER CAN CAUSE DEATH!


or

WARNING: STANDING IN FRONT OF THE REFRIGERATOR DOOR WHILE OPENING CAN CAUSE BRAIN INJURY OR DEATH!

should every steak knife be banned, because there are more stabbings than gun shot wounds?

should every rock have a label, "SHOULD NOT BE THROWN--CAN CAUSE DEATH!"


Little kids can't read, so it should be the adults responsibility, but as far as the stupid adults...I don't know...
 
  • #25
That's it, if PF doesn't add the note "Warning, hitting self in face with keyboard while surfing PF may result in personal injury" on the home page, you will be hearing from my lawyer!
 
  • #26
moe darklight said:
That's it, if PF doesn't add the note "Warning, hitting self in face with keyboard while surfing PF may result in personal injury" on the home page, you will be hearing from my lawyer!
:smile:

My old hair dryer had a warning "do not use while asleep".
 
  • #27
"Warning: has been found to cause cancer in laboratory mice." -- On a box of rat poison.

"Do not use orally after using rectally." -- In the instructions for an electric thermometer.
 
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  • #28
BobG said:
"Warning: has been found to cause cancer in laboratory mice." -- On a box of rat poison.
Well, you don't want them to get cancer...
 
  • #29
Evo said:
:smile:

My old hair dryer had a warning "do not use while asleep".

but were you using it in the shower (when the cop came)?

(the hair dryer didn't have a warning about using around water?)
 
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  • #30
BobG said:
"Warning: has been found to cause cancer in laboratory mice." -- On a box of rat poison.

We have a sign up in our lab, "Caution: Exposure to a laboratory can cause cancer in mice."

I get annoyed that warning on the coffee cups too...may be hot?! MAY?! It BETTER be hot! Though, you have to admit it's ingenious in that it covers both eventualities, that the coffee is either hot or not hot. Take it back and complain your coffee is served cold, and they can point at the caution telling you it only MAY be hot.
 

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