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iesearc ~ ING PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND CONSUMER ISSUES MAGAZiNE ! $2.50 JULY 1991 Vol. 74 No. 7

C~SN ER Road Rover Taking a dog or cat on a long road trip will require additional planning before you begin. Of the two, dogs are the better trav- elers. Their "pack" instincts make them more willing to fol- low their master. Cats tend to be homebodies, and make less com- pliant travel companions. Your pet should be in good condition before hitting the road. A trip to the veterinarian can confirm this. It also provides an opportunity to make sure the pet's vaccinations are up to date, and to ask questions about spe- cial medical problems you might encounter on the road. Because requirements vary between states, you should take a vacci- nation record with you. (Your pet's medical history might also come in handy should the pet need medical treatment.) Get your pet used to traveling in the car by taking it on pro- gressively longer rides for a cou- ple of weeks before your trip. Unless your pet is excellently trained, you will probably want to put it in a travel kennel (or "crate"). This will keep the pet from bothering you while you drive and from being thrown about if you must make any sud- den stops or sharp turns. Bring along a small toy or bone to entertain your pet. When you stop to stretch your legs you shouldn't let your pet roam free. In an unfamiliar sur- rounding, your dog may run out into traffic. A cat may try to escape as soon as you open the door. For these reasons and as a courtesy to other travelers, keep your pet on a leash. You might want to bring a sup- ply of water from home because pets can get diarrhea from water they aren't used to drink- ing. Also, a supply of ice cubes will help your pet stay cool. Motels and hotels often will not allow animals in rooms, or will have special conditions under which pets must be kept. To save time and frustration, plan in advance where you will stay. Managers will probably be more receptive if you keep your pet well groomed and provide bedding so the pet doesn't sleep on'the room's furniture. You should feed the pet outside the room, or at least not on the room's carpet. And don't leave the pet alone in the room unless it is in its crate. It is best not to take particu- larly nervous or unmanageable pets on the road, and older pets with medical conditions or very young pets-under 10 weeks- are best left at home. For $1.50 the Gaines division of Quaker Oats (at Professional Services, 585 Hawthorne Ct., Galesburg, Ill. 61401) will send you its booklet, "Touring with Towser," which includes listings of hotels around the country that accept dogs. You might also contact your local Humane Society chapter. Cheap Sunglasses To protect your eyes in the summer sun, you should read sunglass labels before buying a pair. Aside from cutting down on glare, sunglasses should protect your eyes from the sun's ultra- violet (UV) radiation. Two types of UV radiation-UVA and WB-can damage your retinas. UVB radiation can also con- tribute to the development of cataracts, the clouding of the eye's lens. To help consumers choose among sunglasses, the Food and Drug Administration and the Sunglass Association of America (SGA) have established a voluntary labeling system. The labels divide glasses into three categories: • Cosmetic lenses-which block at least 70% of UVB radia- tion, 20% of UVA radiation, and less than 60% of visible light- are for light use. • General purpose lenses- which block at least 95% of UVB radiation, 60% of UVA radiation, and between 60% and 92% of visible light-are for most pro- longed outdoor activities. • Special purpose lenses- which block at least 99% of UVB radiation, 60% of UVA radiation, and up to 97% visible light-are for harsh environments, such as high altitudes. The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends sunglasses that screen out at least 75% of visible light and a high percentage of UV radiation. These qualities can be found for as little as $10, according to the SGA, but consumers should beware of heavily tinted glasses with low UV radiation protec- tion. By allowing your eye's pupils to dilate, these glasses allow extra UV radiation to reach your retina. You should also check lenses for any distortions. Hold the glasses between you and a straight line and turn them. If the line wavers while you do this, the lens is flawed and could tire your eyes when worn for long periods of time. For more information on sun- glasses, contact the SGA at 71 East Ave., Suite S, Norwalk, Conn. 06851, or call (203) 852- 7168. For more information on eye care, contact the AOA at 243 North Lindburgh Blvd., St. Louis, Mo. 63141, or call (314) 991-4100. (Also see, "Eye Car.3 for the Summer," CR, June 1987. -Guy Murdoch 2 Consumers' Research

COVER: Photo by John Merline DEPARTMENTS Consumer Tips 2 Road Rover Cheap Sunglasses Consumer Letters 4 Publisher's Page 5 First The Facts Dateline Washington 6 Credit Union Concerns? Consumers' Observation Post 7 Food for Thought 8 Hydroponic Produce The Green Thumb 37 Doc and Katy Abraham Calling All Consumers 38 Drug Ads TMI and Cancer Current Motion Pictures 39 Consumer Alert 40 Scott Pattison Cumulative Index 42 Recorded Music in Review 43 Walter F Grueninger MAGAZINE CONTENTS ISSN 0095-2222 VOLUME 74 No. 7 JULY 1991 PASSIVE SMOKING: HOW GREAT A HAZARD? 10 The risk to nonsmokers has been overblown WHAT TO KNOW WHEN SHOPPING FOR TIRES 16 Size, type, and warranty are all important THE GREAT AMERICAN DAIRY PRODUCT HEIST 20 Consumers pay higher milk prices than they should DEATH RATES IN POPULAR CARS 23 Car size is important HOW USEFUL ARE FOOD STANDARDS? 26 The pros and cons of standards of identity IRAs FOR FIRST- TIME HOMEBUYERS 30 Congress might expand benefits of IRAs SCIENCE BEHIND RECENT REGULATIONS QUESTIONED 35 Coverage of a CR symposium PRODUCT RECALLS AND NOTICES 36 Barbeques, fire extinguishers, and more July 1991 3

CO11S11MOF LETTERS CENTS ON CAFE I have just read your article "Tougher CAFE Standards Mean More Car Deaths" (April 1991) and I have to put in my two cents worth. How about a comparison be- tween car safety and driver ability to drive safety? The peo- ple of this country want more power under the hood, bigger engines with a nice shiny finish on the outside. Larger engines are safer in weight, but what about the driver's ability to handle the car safely? Our gov- ernment could save itself-and us-a lot of grief by periodically checking drivers' ability to han- dle cars of any size safely. Jerry E. Scott Jr. Alexander, Arkansas The editor's respond: Driver behavior is an important risk factor, no matter how big the car is. This fact is recognized by the insurance industry, which cal- culates insurance rates based on age and sex. Death statistics back this notion up as well; cars driven by young males tend to have higher fatality rates than those driven by older or female drivers. Aside from this, howev- er, making all car's smaller puts everyone at a greater risk, regardless of their driving habits. AIR BAG Kuoos I wish to thank you for your article on air bags ("The Trouble with Air Bags," January 1991). It's high time someone did an in-depth report on air bags. I personally feel even stronger on the issue. Why should I (as a driver who always buckles up) be forced to pay $800 more for a car due to fools who do not buckle up? I think that all the air bag (or passive restraint) does is raise the cost of a car, thereby giving the gov- ernment a nice little tax in- crease. Jeff Savage Watsonville, California Too MANY ROADS? Regarding Gabriel Roth's article "How to Improve Amer- ica's Highways" (February 1991), I think we have far more streets, roads, and highways than we actually need. If we were to take some of the worst roads and city streets and elimi- nate them, future funds could be much more wisely spent for other endeavors. Don Baright Lebanon, Missouri The editor's respond: Those sitting in traffic jams each day on their way to and from work might tend to disagree. MOVING? Mail to: Consumers' Research Inc. P.O. Box 642 Holmes, PA 19043 address cNy stale zip r - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I i Attach label hers I I - ------------------ I CONSUMERS' RESEARCH INC. TRUSTEES and OFFICERS: President, M. Stanton Evans; Vice Presidents: James Roberts, Ruth I. Matthews, Terrence M. Scanlon; Secretary, Ronald Pearson; Treasurer, Allan Ryskind. CONSUMERS' RESEARCH INC. is an independent, non-profit organization, estab- lished in 1927 for the purpose of providing the public with scientific, technical and edu- cational information Consumers' Research magazine presents articles on a wide range of topics of consumer interest Consumers' Research is produced and published on the basis of data believed to be accurate. Consumers' Research is not supported by manufacturers, dealers or any govem- ment agencies. Consumers' Research does not accept product advertising and does not permit any person or firm to make commercial use of its findings. The pub lishers and editors do not assume re- sponsibility for any injuries or damages resulting from the use of the products or services described in the magazine. SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES, mail or- ders, changes of address, undeliverable copies, etc., to be addressed to Subscrip- tion Department, Consumers' Research, P.O Box 642. Holmes, PA 19043- Please allow 60 days for change of address. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $24 per year, 12 issues; $42, two years; and $58, three years. Canada and foreign: $28 (U.S.I. one year; $50, two years: and $70, three years. BACK ISSUES: $3, Postage and han- dling included. Specify exact date and send request to: Back Issues, Consumers' Re- search, P.O. Box 642, Holmes, PA 19043. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR should be addressed to Consumers' Research Inc., 800 Maryland Ave., NE, Washington, D.C. 20002. CR is not in a position to provide special answers by letter to questions that relate to an individual or personal problem. COPYRIGHT J 1991 by Consumers' Re- search Inc., 800 Maryland Ave., NE, Wash- ington, fZC. 20002. All rights reserved Mat- erial in Consumers' Researcbh is protected by copyright and all rights to its use are re- served by Consumers~ Research Inc. No part of the content of the magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, except upon first obtaining permission in writing from Con- sumers' Research Inc. Manuscripts submit- ted must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. However, Con- ; sumers' Research cannot be responsible for unsolicited materiat = 4 Consumers' Research

MAGAZINE ANALYZING PRUOUCTS. SERVICES AND CONSUMER ISSUES PUBLISHER M. Stanton Evans EDITOR John W. Merline EXECUTIVE EDITOR Peter L. Spencer FOOD EDITOR Beatrice Trum Hunter DESIGN AND GRAPHICS C. Ashley Jackson CONTRIBUTING EDITORS George and Katy Abraham Jeff Cohen Richard Coorsh Walter F Grueninger Malcolm A. Kline Ruth I. Matthews Scott Pattison Terrence M. Scanlon Jeff Schein Jeffrey Seisler Christopher Warden Walter W. Watt EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Guy Murdoch ASSISTANT PUBLISHER Whitney L. Ball CIRCULATION MANAGER Ingrid B. Hirthe BUSINESS MANAGER Mary Jo Buckland ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER Irma V. White COMPOSITION Wordscape Inc. Wash ngton, D.C. PRINTER Mack Printing Co. Easton, Pennsylvania SUBSCRIPTION DEPARTMENT P O. Box 642 Holmes. Pennsylvania 19043 CONSUMERS' RESEARCH magaz ne (ISSN 0095-2222) is published monthly for $24 per year by Consumers' Research Inc.. 800 Mary- land Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20002. (202) 546-1713. Second-class postage paid at Wash- ngton, DC. and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to CON- SUMERS RESEARCH, P.O. Box 642. Holmes, PA 19043. PUBLISHER'S PAGE First The Facts "Sentence first-verdict afterwards," was Lewis Carroll's famous parody of minds locked on to pre- conceived conclusions. That formula seems increasingly relevant these days to rules and regulations allegedly meant to handle consumer problems. As pointed out at a recent conference on "Science and Regulation," sponsored by Consumers' Research, numerous programs supposedly protecting us from health and safety.hazards have been adopted with relatively little attention to scientific data. Some details about this practice are provided in the articles appearing at pages 10 and 35. In case after case, it seems, we are getting sentence first, analysis of the evi- dence later (if at all). This is not a helpful method of pro- ceeding in any walk of life, and it is especially dubious in technical matters pertaining to the health and well-being of the public. Obviously, if we don't base our health, environmental and other policies on scientific fact, the goals of science are disserved. Equally to the point, the goals of consumers are disserved, since we have no assurance that the policies enacted (and costs incurred) involve real problems, slight major problems while focusing on minor ones, or effec- tively address the question of underlying causes. Among the most important protections consumers can enjoy is accurate information-about products, services, and consumer issues. If official rules and regulations aren't based on accurate data, then consumer interests are likely to be harmed instead of helped. M anton Evans Publisher July 1991 5

P,TF~L1N~,aQ _ as mg on Credit Union Concerns? First it was the savings and loans. Then, reports began to surface about the fund that insures banks. Now, a draft report from the General Accounting Office (GAO) recommends a major overhaul of the way the government regulates credit unions. According to the draft report, federal regulators are some- what slow on the uptake when credit unions develop financial difficulties. Furthermore, notes the draft report, growth and expansion have led to a lot of credit union managers being unfamiliar with their members. The draft report recommends that Congress consider setting up federal guidelines on credit union membership, as well as a "trip wire" system that would require regulators to step in when a credit union's financial health deteriorates, and restric- tions on the kinds of loans cred- it unions are able to make. Credit unions, like banks, make loans and accept deposits, but they are cooperative, non- profit institutions that do business only with members. Currently, 55 million people belong to U.S. credit unions, and another 155 million are eli- gible to join. Another recent GAO report indicates that anti-com- petitive practices at key air- ports result in higher air fares for the passengers who use them. According to the report, limitations at four "slot restricted" airports-Chicago's O'Hare, Washington (D.C.) National, and La Guardia and Kennedy airports in New York-where the government limits the number of takeoffs and landings, resulted in air fares that were, on average, 3% higher than at airports without such restrictions. At airports where two or more anti-compet- itive conditions exist, fares are 5% to 9% higher than the na- tional average, according to the report. The Food and Drug Ad- ministration (FDA), fresh from its foray against the allegedly misleading use of the words "fresh" and "no cholesterol" on food labels, has more recently targeted drug promotions to physicians. In late May, Bristol-Myers Squibb agreed to a demand by the FDA to stop issuing a pro- motional publication that sug- gested unapproved uses for some of the company's cancer drugs in the treatment of can- cer. The company also agreed to get advance approval from the FDA for all promotional mate- rials associated with certain cancer drugs for the next two years. According to Bristol-Myers Squibb, the publication con- tained scientific articles written by leading oncologists and pro- vided physicians with "the lat- est developments in cancer treatment." The Consumer Prod- uct Safety Commission (CPSC) is recommending that con- sumers use ground-fault circuit interrupters, or GFCIs, with household appliances in order to prevent accidental electrocu- tion. GFCIs, in essence, are sensi- tive circuit breakers that break a circuit immediately upon sens- ing a loss of current. If, for example, you touch an appli- ance that is "leaking" electrici- ty while at the same time you touch a grounded piece of metal, the GFCI will cut the cir- cuit-not in time to prevent a shock, but in plenty of time to prevent electrocution. Some 178 people were elec- trocuted in their homes last year for lack of GFCIs, accord- ing to the CPSC. Although the National Electrical Code has, since 1973, required GFCIs to be installed in new homes, many thousands of older houses have none. However, portable GFCIs that plug into household outlets are available from $7 to $12 or higher. (See "Electrical Safety Begins at the Outlet," CR, August 1990.) /, The government plans to step up efforts to encourage seat belt use. The National Highway Traffic Safety Admin- istration (NHTSA) has an- nounced a two-year campaign that features increased enforce- ment of seat belt and child restraint laws. Part of NHTSA's effort consists of enforcement and publicity blitzes scheduled for the July 4th and Labor Day holidays. According to NHTSA, slightly fewer than 50% of all drivers buckle up, even though 90% of the population lives in jurisdic- tions that require the use of restraints. -Richard Coorsh 6 Consumers' Research

The consumers' Observation Post SOME TRAVEL AGENCIES HAVE DEVELOPED computer programs that can beat airlines at their own game. Because airlines constantly change fares and seat availability, travel agents and travel consumers have a tough time searching the airline reservation systems for the best fares. Fare-checking computer programs, however, can search the systems continuous- ly-independent of the agent-for changing fares, cancellations, and new openings in win- dow and aisle seats, thus allowing agents to "catch" lower-priced and more-desirable book- ings. Currently, only large-volume agencies operate such systems. It's no surprise that a number of the airline reservation systems recently announced they'd begin charging agencies extra for entries to the systems beyond a certain quota so as to limit how much free access such computer programs can have. THE FUTURE FOR CAR BUYERS IS IN AUTOMALLS. According to a study by the auto-mar- ket watcher J.D. Power Inc., automalls--defined as any preplanned multi-dealership shop- ping center-will account for roughly 20% of car sales within the next 15 years, up from 5% today. And the number of such malls will more than double, from 122-largely in California and some Western states-to more than 350 nationwide. A concurrent increase in so-called dealer clusters (where dealers are concentrated along a certain road) is also predicted. Meanwhile, 60% of current independent, stand-alone dealerships will fail or be consumed by larger multi-manufacturer operations, the report notes. Driven by consumer demand for one-stop shopping as well as other economic pressures, the development of automalls portends a revolution in auto retailing, much like the rise of shops such as Circuit City did for the sale of electronics products, J.D. Power analysts say. SOON TO-BE INTRODUCED DIGITAL COMPACT CASSETTES (DCC) may catch on where their cousin, Digital Audio Tape (DAT), has so far failed. Unlike DATs, DCC players will be able to play conventional cassette tapes. Manufacutured by compact disc inventor Philips, DCC reportedly has a number of record companies lined up to produce prerecorded tapes; something DAT has yet to acheive, in part because of recording industry complaints about DAT's ability to duplicate tapes. As with DAT, DCC will be coded to prevent the making of duplicate tapes. And, in what promises to be an interesting marketing battle, DAT maker Sony has unveiled a recordable, erasable compact disc system, called Mini Disks, which will be half the size of today's compact discs. These and the DCC are due out in the fall of 1992. MORE ELDERLY HOMEOWNERS WILL BE ABLE TO DRAW INCOME OFF THEIR HOMES through so-called reverse mortgages. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced it is expanding a pilot program that allows qualified "house rich but cash poor" homeowners of at least 62 years of age to convert equity in their homes into cash or monthly incomes. Principle and interest on the loan come due when the homeowner moves or dies; heirs can repay the loan to keep the house, or sell it to pay off the loan. The FHA will cover losses if the sale price doesri t cover the loan amount and will also cover costs of lifetime payments to homeowners who outlive the value of their homes. (See "Home Equity Conversions," CR, October 1988.) Continued on page 41. July 1991 7

f0 Orq nought Beatrice Trum Hunter Hydroponic Produce Hydroponically-grown veg- etables such as tomatoes, "bur- pless" cucumbers, and bibb let- tuce have become commonplace offerings in the produce sec- tions of many supermarkets. Many consumers favor these vegetables, which, being grown in water, are clean and have no soil clinging to them. Such pro- duce has good flavor, having been allowed to ripen fully be- fore it is picked. Because the roots of bibb lettuce are left in- tact on the plant within the plastic wrapper, the lettuce ac- tually continues to grow and does not wilt readily. The con- trolled environment of hydro- ponics also eliminates the need for pesticides. Growing plants in water is not new. The ancient world's wondrous hanging gardens of Babylon are thought to have been grown hydroponically. The floating gardens of Xochimilco were tended prior to the Spanish invasion of Mexico. In 1699, successful hydroponic production of spearmint was re- ported in Europe. Modern hydroponics began in the 1860s. Plants were found to thrive, provided they received all the needed macro- and micro-nutrients from inorganic salts in solutions. During World War II, interest in hydroponics grew. The technique was viewed as a practical way to provide fresh vegetables for troops sta- tioned on isolated Pacific is- lands. After the war, hydropon- ics were utilized in many areas, including Europe, Japan, the Middle East, and the United States. Hydroponics are especially useful in desert areas, where warm weather and long sun- light may be favorable factors for plant growth, but where soil conditions are unfavorable. Water economy is an attractive feature for arid areas because, in hydroponic systems, precious water can be recirculated. In urban areas, with dense population, available farmland is scarce and expensive. Yet shoppers may seek, and willing- ly pay, premium prices for year- round availability of ripe, at- tractive, and tasty vegetables. Hydroponics could help meet these demands. Underutilized areas such as former parking lots, landfills, and roofs of city buildings have been suggested for hydroponics. A large volume of hydroponic food can be grown rapidly in a small area. Reportedly, four heads of hydroponic lettuce can be raised in the same amount of space required to grow one head of field lettuce. Due to the con- trolled environment, the hydro- ponically-grown lettuce will grow more rapidly. The tech- nique has been suggested to raise a weekly crop of grass as cattle feed. Also, with growing concerns about energy and transportation costs, hydropon- ics is regarded as a potentially beneficial factor in an energy efficiency program. Hydroponic techniques vary. In water culture, the roots of the plants are held in a large waterproof tank. The plants are supported by mesh or string. In gravel cultures-a more costly system to install and main- tain-a water-proof bench is filled with inert pea-sized grav- el to support the roots. A solu- tion containing all the essential nutrients required by the plant is pumped into the gravel from a holding tank. When the bench is full of the solution, the pump is turned off and the solution drains back to the holding tank. The solution is replenished pe- riodically. A nutrient film tech- nique is another system, which does not require as large a hold- ing tank as that used in gravel culture. The plants grow in nar- row, shallow troughs, and the roots of the plants are constant- ly bathed in a flowing solution of nutrients. Vegetables such as celery, peppers, and Chinese cabbage, as well as flowering plants such as geranium, have been grown successfully in gravel culture. Tomatoes and cucumbers, as well as flowering plants such as snapdragons and asters, have been grown in the nutrient film. Recently, hydroponics have been introduced at the retail food level. An on-site hydropon- ic "garden" in a Houston, Texas, supermarket provides customers with fresh lettuce and other vegetables. The lamps that are used emit three different wave- lengths of light (red, far red, and blue) in a proper ratio to stimulate photosynthesis. The lamps provide a more constant light source than does sunlight. Nutrients are proportionately controlled in the solution, and are monitored to ensure that they are in correct ratios. The controlled growing conditions make it possible to predict "har- vest" times, so that the store manager can plan efficient pro- duce stocking. The manager hopes to produce several differ- ent types of lettuce, herbs, spinach, and tomatoes. 8 Consumers' Research

Similar hydroponic units have been suggested for restau- rant use. Patrons could be of- fered fresh grown-on-premises vegetables at the salad bar. Another future application for hydroponics might benefit astronauts and submariners. These groups, after having eaten freeze-dried or other pre- served foods for days or weeks, usually crave fresh produce. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is attempting to develop an hy- droponic "salad machine" that will make fresh vegetables available to the crews of Space d Q. I know that darker greens such as romaine lettuce usually have higher levels of nutrients than lighter greens such as Boston lettuce. I tried to find nutrient differences between green and white asparagus, but could not find any figures for white asparagus in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Composition of Foods. Are any figures available? A. Your question intrigued me. None of my references helped. A research horticulturist sup- plied information. Raw white asparagus is reported to be slightly lower in protein, but higher in soluble solids than green asparagus. White aspara- gus is similar, or higher, in fiber. However, the white spears con- tain only half as much ascorbic acid, about 1/12 as much total carotenoids, and more nitrates than do green spears. Doubt- less, you know that ascorbic acid and carotenoids are beneficial Station Freedom and other long-duration missions. The aim is to produce three salads weekly for each of a crew of four. With limited space, any such machine must be compact, and operate on less than a kilowatt of power. It must produce a minimal amount of waste heat, and provide light for the plants. A nutrient-delivery system must provide water and neces- sary nutrients to the growing plants while keeping fluids in place in a zero-gravity environ- ment. Proper humidity may be maintained by recycling the components, while the nitrates are not. The white spears are nearly devoid of any chlorophyll. If they are exposed to strong light, they will green slightly. Q. I heard that some foods, i f handled, can cause contact der- matitis. Which foods are they? A. Some vegetables may cause contact dermatitis. Commonly, the handlers of parsnips, garlic, onions, tomatoes, carrots, and ginger may develop contact der- matitis. As everyone knows, poison ivy is a common sensitizer that produces contact dermatitis. Cross sensitization can occur with other members of the poi- son ivy family, including poison oak and poison sumac, as well as the fruit of ginkgo trees. A few foods are also in this fami- ly; the oil in cashew nutshells and the peel and leaves of mango fruit may be sensitizing agents. The sap of the mango tree contains a substance simi- lar to that of poison ivy. The sap, present on the skin of the mango, can cause itching, red- ness, and blisters on the skin. condensed water vapor. The salad machine would also furnish oxygen-enriched air to the cabin environment, after particulates and excess water vapor are removed. Some plants may be smaller than varieties commonly found on earth. Tomato plants, for ex- ample, might be less than a foot high. Some vegetables may grow upside down or sideways from an earth perspective! NASA hopes to have a salad machine fully operational in time for Space Station Free- dom's scheduled completion later in this decade. Unfortunately, this sap cannot be washed off the skin readily and continues to adhere to it. Individuals who may be sensi- tive to this sap need to wear rubber gloves before attempting to peel the mango. Q. Is there any way to test for the freshness of an egg, with the shell intact? A. Place the egg in a bowl of cold water. If it is fresh, the egg will sink; if not fresh, it will float. If shell eggs are stored in their cartons, and kept refriger- ated, they can be kept for sever- al weeks. The longer they are stored, however, the less flavor and texture they will have. Beatrice Trum Hunter is the author of a num- ber of books concerning food topics of impor- tance to consumers. The most recent ones in- clude The Great Nutrition Robbery, The Mirage of Safety, and The Sugar Trap and How to Avoid It. Hunter is a frequent guest lecturer at universities and at meetings of health profes- sionals and from time to time she appears on national commercial and public television pro- grams. You may send your questions about food to Beatrice Trum Hunter, c/o Consumers' Research Inc., 800 Maryland Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20002. For a personal reply enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. July 1991 9

Special Report: Passive Smoking: How Great A Hazard? By Gary L. Huber, MD, Robert E. Brockie, MD, and Vijay K. Mahajan, MD Reports from medical journals, the popular media, and federal regulatory agencies about the adverse health effects of passive smoking have convinced many jurisdictions to ban smok- ing in public places. What is often missing from such discussions is the scientific basis for the health-related claims. The following article examines the scientific data concerning the ascertainable risk from inhalation of environ- mental tobacco smoke. One of its authors, Dr. Gary Huber, spoke at a recent CR symposium on "Science and Regulation" (see article on page 35).-Ed. 1~1 bout 50 million or so Americans are active smokers, consuming well over 500 billion tobacco cigarettes each year. The "secondhand" smoke-usually called "environ- mental tobacco smoke," or more simply "ETS"-that is generated is released into their surroundings, where it potentially is inhaled passively and retained by nonsmokers. Or is it? Literally thousands of ETS-related state- ments now have appeared in the lay press or in the scientific literature. Many of these have been published, and accepted as fact, without adequate critical questioning. Based on the belief that these publications are accurate, numerous public policies, regulations, and laws have been implemented to segregate or restrict active smokers, on the assertion that ETS is a health hazard to those who do not smoke. What quantity of smoke really is released into the environment of the nonsmoker? What is the chemical and physical quality, or nature, of ETS remnants in our environment? Is there a health risk to the nonsmoker? In concentra- Drs. Huber, Brockie, and Mahajan are with, respect- ively, the University of Texas Health Science Center, the Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, and St. Vincent's Hospital-Medical College of Ohio. tions as low as one part in a billion or even in a trillion parts of clean air, some of the highly- diluted constituents in ETS are irritating to the membranes of the eyes and nose of the non- smoker. Cigarette smoking is offensive to many nonsmokers and some of these highly-diluted constituents can trigger adverse emotional responses, but do these levels of exposure really represent a legitimate health hazard? "Cigarette smoking is offensive to many nonsmokers and some of these highly-diluted con- stituents can trigger adverse emotional responses, but do these levels of exposure really represent a legitimate health hazard?" L Clear answers to these questions are difficult to find. The generation, interpretation, and use of scientific and medical information about ETS has been influenced, and probably distort- ed, by a "social movement" to shift the empha- sis on the adverse health effects of smoking in the active smoker to an implied health risk for the nonsmoker. The focus of this movement, initiated by Sir George Godber of the World Health Organization 15 years ago, was and is to emphasize that active cigarette smokers injure those around them, including their families and, especially, any infants that might be exposed involuntarily to ETS. By fostering the perception that secondhand smoke is unhealthy for nonsmokers, active smoking has become an undesirable and an antisocial behavior. The cigarette smoker has become ever more segregated and isolated. This ETS social movement has been successful in Iv C~~. 10 Consumers' Research