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Sharper Image Not So Sharp About Science
By Elizabeth M. Whelan, Sc.D., M.P.H.
These days, you pick up medical misinformation in the strangest places.
While perusing the October 2006 catalog of The Sharper Image -- replete with advertisements for iPod accessories, "miracle" food storage units, battery-operated candles and more -- I came across a letter endorsing a product called "the Lotus Sanitizing System." The communication came from the top: it was signed by Richard Thalheimer, founder of Sharper Image. Under the headine "Why chemical free is good!" Thalheimer tells us that:
--"for every one pound of toxic chemicals released into the environment , 42 pounds of toxic chemicals were shipped into American homes -- on food or as part of consumer products!"
--"many thoughtful scientists believe there is a strong link between the increased presence of such chemicals in the home and the concurrent increased incidence of cancer"
--"more than 76 million cases of food poisoning are reported in the U.S. each year. And no wonder: Of the $137 billion in produce consumed, more than 98% is contaminated with germs and pesticides."
These statements lead up to his pitch for the Lotus Sanitizing System ($199.00), "to reduce your family's exposure to germs and pesticides without introducing any chemicals at all. This is truly a miraculous product!"
On a scientific veracity scale from 0-10, this ad gets a solid zero.
--It plays on chemophobia and the concept that "chemicals" are bad, blissfully overlooking the fact that everything -- including natural food -- is comprised of chemicals. I wonder: if Thalheimer were aware that potatoes naturally contain arsenic and solanine, or that mushrooms contain hydrazines, would he start work on a new machine to remove those?
--I am not aware of any "thoughtful scientists" who believe that a) there is an increased incidence of cancer generally or b) there is a "strong link" between "chemicals" in the home and cancer. If Thalheimer had consulted the bible of cancer epidemiology, _Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention_ by ACSH Advisor Dr. David Schottenfeld and National Cancer Institute's Dr. Joseph Fraumeni (Oxford University Press, August 2006), they would find no reference to trace levels of chemicals as a cause of cancer.
--It is false and misleading to say that 98% of our produce is contaminated with pesticides. The overwhelming proportion of our produce has no measurable levels of pesticides, and the balance have negligible, non-hazardous levels well within government tolerance standards. Our produce is not "contaminated" and needs only to be washed in the sink -- not subject to "sanitizing" by a $200 gimmick.
--Food poisoning is a serious (and most likely underreported) threat in the U.S., but it has nothing to do with "chemicals" and everything to do with the introduction of bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, or listeria through improper food handling and preparation.
Sharper Image is indeed fuzzy on science.
Elizabeth M. Whelan, Sc.D., MPH, is founder and president of the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH.org, HealthFactsAndFears.com).
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