SIRC Media Watch Archive
Panics and Scares – January 2002

Frequent sex 'not linked to strokes'. Middle aged men can have sex as many times as they like without increasing their risk of having a stroke, according to research. BBC.

Magazine claims euro notes could damage your health. A consumer magazine is claiming chemicals used to fix colours on euro notes are a health risk. German publication Eco Test claims the tin-organic compounds can affect hormone levels. Ananova.
…but rest assured: studies have shown that the danger is purely theoretical. In fact, a bank spokesman, Eugenio Domingo Solans, has announced that the notes are perfectly safe as long as you don't eat more than 400 of them. Pandora, Independent.

Electrical appliances linked to miscarriage. The strong magnetic fields produced by some electric appliances and vehicles increase the risk of miscarriage, claim researchers in California. Their findings also suggest that most previous investigations into the health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have been measuring the wrong thing. New Scientist.

Rollercoaster risk warning. Amusement park rides may be the cause of unexplained head, neck and back injuries seen in accident and emergency department, doctors have warned. BBC.

Euro coins could open borders to bugs. The introduction of the euro is not just easing cross-border spending for millions of Europeans, but could also allow bacteria greater freedom to travel, according to an Italian virologist. The 12 countries that abandoned their national currencies this January in favor of the common currency could be exposing themselves to "euro-infections" as bacteria carried on the notes and coins circulate within the euro zone. Reuters.