Syrupy killer in medicine bottle

New York Times via Chron.com ^ | May 6, 2007 | WALT BOGDANICH and JAKE HOOKER

[COUNTrecount]

A syrupy poison, diethylene glycol, is an indispensable part of the modern world, an industrial solvent and prime ingredient in antifreeze. It also is a killer. And the deaths, if not intentional, are often no accident.

The kidneys fail first. Then the central nervous system begins to misfire. Paralysis spreads, making breathing difficult, then often impossible without assistance. In the end, most victims die.

[Calpernia]

bump

[rogue yam]

Let's continue getting base food stuffs from other countries, so that we can save some money!

Not all other countries are the same. These poisons did not come from "other countries". They came from China.

[Captain Rhino]

Chinese government and industry: corrupt from beginning to end.

However, as this case and the pet food case reveals, even the cautious can become the victim of their profit and bribe driven, unscrupulous practices.

Although it is not always possible, I try to have nothing to do with them.

[bluefish]

Toxic syrup has figured in at least eight mass poisonings around the world in the past two decades.

Kind of a weird article. Eight = "Mass?"

Researchers estimate that thousands have died.

Which is it? "At least eight" or "Thousands?"

[MarkL]

Not all other countries are the same. These poisons did not come from "other countries". They came from China.

I realize that, but I also have problems with the US importing things like fresh vegetables from Mexico, and Central and South America, where "health code" standards aren't quite as strict as they are in the US.

Mark

[DvdMom]

Can you add me to the ping list ? Thanks :)

[bluefish]

Ok, I retract my comments. Eight is not eight individual people. It is eight groups, totaling thousands of individuals.

[mom4kittys]

It means eight different mass poisonings.

[EggsAckley]

You are both absolutely right. I realized that the moment I hit “post.”

When I was a lounge musician years ago the owner of one place I worked was a middle aged Chinese guy who persisted in putting his hands on me and asking if I wanted to be “his girl.” Yuck. I quit that gig in a hurry. What a sleezebag.

[bioqubit]

...they have always been that way...

true. Henry Miller, a great writer from the 1930s to 1960s, wrote an essay on how the Chinese are just slavers who will do anything for a nickel.

[mysterio]

But the Chinese medicine is 10 cents cheaper! More trade with China! Yeeeeeeeeaaaaarrrgh!

[AuntB]

Bump for ‘Conscience free trade!’

Wake up America!

[COUNTrecount]

Thousands have died in eight mass poisonings.

[hedgetrimmer]

A modern update would be how the “free traders” are just slavers who will do anything for a nickel.

[pabianice]

LINKS are your friends...

[Old Student]

“Which is it? ‘At least eight’ or ‘Thousands?’”

How about at least eight mass poisonings, with thousands of deaths combined from the various mass poisonings.

[Calpernia]

This chart might be great for the Towncrier:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1829204/posts?page=20#20

[rogue yam]

Kind of a weird article. Eight = "Mass?"

Eight separate incidents. Multiple victims in each incident.

[Minutemen]

There is even more of a role for the FDA today. China’s adulteration of medicine and food is very reminiscent of the “Snake Oil” peddlers and quick-buck artists in the U.S. at the turn of the 20th. century.

[hedgetrimmer]

Chinese government and industry: corrupt from beginning to end.

You can start to say the same thing about OUR government. With "free trade" and public/private partnerships, there is no line between our government and the transnational corporations pushing global commerce above safety, national security and citizen sovereignty.

Just ask Senator Feinstein how much of her family fortunes is dependent on China. Ask the Bush brothers how much money they expect to make from mandated ethanol from Brazil.