Deaths of 16 in health trial 'inevitable'

Article Abstract:

A report into an experiment in eight countries including the UK which saw Epsom salts, or magnesium sulphate, given to infants suffering from brain damage has concluded that the 16 deaths resulting were inevitable. The UK's NHS Executive and Medical Research Council funded the Randomised Asphyxia Study Trial, which involved 39 babies at 15 UK hospitals. Injections of magnesium sulphate were given to 28 babies in total, with some infants given double the dose owing to uncertainty over the compound's differing strengths. Evidence of double doses has resulted in stricter pharmaceutical procedures covering such tests being introduced by the Medical Research Council. Despite the criticism, the tests were seen as vital to enhancing the way brain-damaged babies are treated.

Comment:

UK: Epsom salts or magnesium sulphate experiments shows that when given to infants with brain damage it lead to 16 deaths

United Kingdom, Product standards, safety, & recalls, All Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing, Magnesium Sulfate, Article

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Was this spill inevitable?

Article Abstract:

The grounding of the supertanker Sea Empress off the coast of south west Wales has led to a large quantity of crude oil leaking into the sea, causing potentially very extensive environmental damage. Oil has already reached the Isle of Skomer, one of the UK's two marine nature reserves, and shores have been contaminated. There have been a number of disasters of this kind since supertankers first began to be used in the early 1960s, and there are now effective measures in place for dealing with the immediate aftermath of an oil spill. However, less attention has been given to considering how these disasters could have been avoided in the first place.

Column

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Environmental experts query tanker's course

Article Abstract:

The Intermnational Maritime Organisation (IMO) legalised the International Collision Regulations which stipulate a 10-mile protection zone around the Shetland Isles in 1991. The Braer tanker had problems 10 miles from the Sumburgh point. Oil tankers do not have prescribed routes. Crews usually use three-day weather forecasts, so committing them to their route. The Braer is a single-hulled ship, which is not recommended. The House of Lords would prefer a Civil Maritime Authority.

Laws, regulations and rules, Pollution, Natural history, Shipping industry, International Maritime Organization, Maritime law, Shetland

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