Best and Worst of 2006

By ACSH Staff — Dec 20, 2006
A December 20, 2006 year-end highlights column by Arizona's Becky Fenger echoes a choice by ACSH's Dr. Elizabeth Whelan: Dumbest Idea by a State: New Jersey hit the jackpot in this tightly competitive category by slapping a tax on exercising! That's right. The Garden State levied a 7% tax on health club memberships. "Just when we should be giving people incentives to work out, New Jersey is penalizing consumers for doing so. What's next, a tax on diet soda?" asks Dr. Elizabeth M. Whelan, president of the American Council on Science and Health.

A December 20, 2006 year-end highlights column by Arizona's Becky Fenger echoes a choice by ACSH's Dr. Elizabeth Whelan:
Dumbest Idea by a State: New Jersey hit the jackpot in this tightly competitive category by slapping a tax on exercising! That's right. The Garden State levied a 7% tax on health club memberships. "Just when we should be giving people incentives to work out, New Jersey is penalizing consumers for doing so. What's next, a tax on diet soda?" asks Dr. Elizabeth M. Whelan, president of the American Council on Science and Health.

Time for City to Take Trans Fats Off the Menu

By ACSH Staff — Dec 18, 2006
A December 18, 2006 editorial by Laura "Fat Nag" Washington (her actual nickname, not our description of her) does not mention ACSH's Dr. Gilbert Ross but does mention another man named Gil Ross who also rejects the Fat Nag's call for a trans fat ban: [Fat Nag] also says "fiddlesticks" to the naysayer, libertarian types -- like her friend Gil Ross, a personal injury lawyer, dyed-in-the-wool Democrat, Harley biker, and all-around Grand Pooh Bah. Should the government protect public health by banning trans fats?

A December 18, 2006 editorial by Laura "Fat Nag" Washington (her actual nickname, not our description of her) does not mention ACSH's Dr. Gilbert Ross but does mention another man named Gil Ross who also rejects the Fat Nag's call for a trans fat ban:
[Fat Nag] also says "fiddlesticks" to the naysayer, libertarian types -- like her friend Gil Ross, a personal injury lawyer, dyed-in-the-wool Democrat, Harley biker, and all-around Grand Pooh Bah. Should the government protect public health by banning trans fats?

E. Coli's Enablers

By ACSH Staff — Dec 18, 2006
A December 18, 2006 Wall Street Journal piece notes that irradiation of food would help fight food-borne illness, quoting ACSH's Dr. Elizabeth Whelan and the author of ACSH's report on Irradiated Foods, Paisan Loaharanu:

A December 18, 2006 Wall Street Journal piece notes that irradiation of food would help fight food-borne illness, quoting ACSH's Dr. Elizabeth Whelan and the author of ACSH's report on Irradiated Foods, Paisan Loaharanu:

A Weapon Against AIDS: DDT

By ACSH Staff — Dec 18, 2006
A December 18, 2006 piece in Investor's Business Daily notes that when environmentalists got DDT banned, they may have boosted the death toll not only from malaria but from AIDS, since HIV appears to spread more readily in people suffering from malaria:

A December 18, 2006 piece in Investor's Business Daily notes that when environmentalists got DDT banned, they may have boosted the death toll not only from malaria but from AIDS, since HIV appears to spread more readily in people suffering from malaria:

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Two Boca Restaurants Are Getting the (Trans) Fat Out

By ACSH Staff — Dec 15, 2006
A December 15, 2006 piece by John Johnston and Dale M. King quotes ACSH's Jeff Stier and ACSH's report on trans fats: "[I]f a simple switch to 'healthier' oils would make us healthier, we'd be all for it. But it won't," says Jeff Stier. Stier, an associate director of the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) then asks:

A December 15, 2006 piece by John Johnston and Dale M. King quotes ACSH's Jeff Stier and ACSH's report on trans fats:
"[I]f a simple switch to 'healthier' oils would make us healthier, we'd be all for it. But it won't," says Jeff Stier.
Stier, an associate director of the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) then asks:

Researchers Link Dioxin Exposure and Decreased Testosterone

By ACSH Staff — Dec 13, 2006
A December 13, 2006 article by Michelle Bryner notes a study suggesting dioxin has caused decreased testosterone levels, briefly noting ACSH's dissent: "All conclusions are somewhat exaggerated, and are not statistically significant," says Gilbert Ross, ACSH medical/executive director.

A December 13, 2006 article by Michelle Bryner notes a study suggesting dioxin has caused decreased testosterone levels, briefly noting ACSH's dissent:
"All conclusions are somewhat exaggerated, and are not statistically significant," says Gilbert Ross, ACSH medical/executive director.

Is Dry Cleaning a Bad Idea for Baby Clothes?

By ACSH Staff — Dec 12, 2006
ACSH was mentioned in a household tips column from December: Q. I bought a wool baby sweater at an antiques store as a gift, and I'm not sure how to wash it. Is dry cleaning a bad idea for baby clothes? A. Check to see if the sweater has a label with care instructions. If not, you will need to decide between dry cleaning and hand-washing. Both of these methods are generally fine for wool, even delicate items. However, if the item has stains, seek the help of a trusted professional to determine which would be most effective.

ACSH was mentioned in a household tips column from December:
Q. I bought a wool baby sweater at an antiques store as a gift, and I'm not sure how to wash it. Is dry cleaning a bad idea for baby clothes?
A. Check to see if the sweater has a label with care instructions. If not, you will need to decide between dry cleaning and hand-washing. Both of these methods are generally fine for wool, even delicate items. However, if the item has stains, seek the help of a trusted professional to determine which would be most effective.