Today in scaremongering: the FDA has recently launched a new tattoo study, focused on a chemical in black ink called benzo(a)pyrene, which may give you cancer. Their studies on lab animals have shown that it could lead to skin cancer and malignant melanomas. These concerns have been around for a few months, however, and as of now "doesn't seem to concern tattoo artists or their clients." (For the record, two out of two Gothamist staffers with black ink aren't that concerned, though one declared: "I have enough possible made up ailments to worry about!"). But maybe this Daily News story will? more ›

This is how Irving Picard, the trustee in charge of the Bernard Madoff bankruptcy and locating funds for victims, is earning his fee: Suing JPMorgan Chase for $6.4 billion by way of accusing the bank of being complicit in Madoff's huge Ponzi scheme and ignoring any warnings. The lawsuit, filed last year, was recently unsealed and the NY Times reports, "Senior executives at JPMorgan Chase expressed serious doubts about the legitimacy of Bernard L. Madoff’s investment business more than 18 months before his Ponzi scheme collapsed but continued to do business with him." more ›

Coast Guard officials have warned that a nearly 10-mile stretch of red tide has been spotted in New York Harbor. The algal bloom can be a natural seasonal occurrence, and generally happens when the seas are warm. The toxin-producing phenomena can cause temporary breathing problems, burning eyes and skin irritation, according to the AP. It's also detrimental to the shellfish industry, making it unsafe to eat, and often kills fish. more ›

This is probably something to keep in mind any time you're in a body of water, but the U.S. Coast Guard has now put out an official warning for the entire Northeast to watch out for sharks this weekend. According to Fox5, authorities have confirmed the presence of great whites (specifically off the coast of Massachusetts—though we all know they're lurking around out there in New York, too). more ›

Back in December the Department of Health issued an alert regarding rabid raccoons taking over Central Park. Their warning stemmed from having serious intel on at least three rabid raccoons in the area. They warned New Yorkers to stay away from any raccoons, skunks, bats, stray dogs and cats—because the rabies could be spreading and we'd pretty much be looking at an I Am Legend scale outbreak if it crossed over to humans. (The last human case of rabies in the city was back in 1953.) more ›

Yesterday afternoon we received an alert from the Department of Health regarding rabid raccoons taking over Central Park! Dun dun dun. They have officially issued a warning, and tell us there are three raccoons (so far!) identified as being rabid — one in recent months, and the other two in the past week... which means it's spreading quicker than you can say Cujo. more ›

Hey, whaddaya know—shooting 5,000 volts of electricity at somebody's chest could adversely affect the heart! Manufacturer Taser International Inc. has issued a warning about Taser chest-shots, suggesting that law enforcement officers aim their Tasers at perpetrators' backs, arms, or abdomens. In response to the warning, the NYPD brass has formally ordered officers not to shoot Tasers at suspects' chests. more ›

On their way to outlawing smoking in public parks, beaches, and in your dreams, officials at the Health Department are moving forward with a plan to require graphic cigarette warning signs anywhere you buy smokes in NYC. The new signs will include information on how to quit, and, like the one seen here, will show the ugly side-effects of smoking. Some 12,000 retailers in all five boroughs are expected to display the signs by December, but the city will give them a two month grace period before issuing fines. more ›

FYI, those planes may be for Federer-del Potro: "Today at 4pm, U.S. military planes may be performing a flyover in conjunction with the start of the finals for the US OPEN in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. You may see low flying aircraft in the area." And a tipster says, "The flyover will include approximately 4 - F15E Fighter Planes." more ›

Three New Jersey residents are filing a class action lawsuit to force the makers of Nathan's, Oscar Mayer, Ball Park, Hebrew National and Sabrett franks to put warning labels on their hot dog packaging—not "WARNING: Hot dogs are revolting flesh tubes packed with lips and assholes," but "WARNING: Hot dogs increase the risk of cancer." A lawyer for the plaintiffs tells the Star-Ledger, "We view this just like the tobacco litigation. There is now a scientific consensus that processed meats are a significant cause of colorectal and other forms of cancer." more ›

The city's health department just wants you to be healthy, which is why you can no longer innocently order a pina colada at Pizzeria Uno while pretending it doesn't contain multitudes of calories. The latest proposal to dispel New Yorkers' ignorant bliss involves requiring any retailers selling cigarettes to display graphic warning signs (like the sample here) about the dangers of smoking, plus information on where to seek help quitting. The proposed measure would require retailers to post the warnings wherever tobacco products are displayed, and also at the cash register or point of purchase. Officials hope it will help more New Yorkers quit; according to DOH stats, tobacco-related illness kills 7,400 people in the city each year. In fact, smoking kills more New Yorkers than AIDS, drugs, homicide and suicide combined! So today the Board of Health voted to solicit public comment on the proposed amendment (which you can read here), and a public hearing will be held on July 30th. What do you think? Too graphic or not graphic enough? (And last year the Health Department unveiled a line of graphic anti-smoking matchbooks.) more ›

As any cyclist will tell you, one of the biggest dangers of riding a bike is getting "doored," when someone inside a car abruptly pops open a door to exit the vehicle. The potentially deadly situation is often caused by taxi riders who open a door without looking or who try to get out on the traffic side, as opposed to the sidewalk side. Now cyclist and graphic designer Marko Bon is urging the Taxi and Limousine Commission to add a logo like the one seen here to the TV screens in cabs. According to Streetsblog, the commission has shown interest in the design, and Transportation Alternatives has also been pushing for the use of video PSAs to remind cab passengers to open their doors carefully. Last year 66-year-old David Smith was killed on Sixth Avenue when an abruptly opened door knocked him off his bike into the path of a truck. more ›

Williamsburg isn't the only Brooklyn nabe with a rash of violent assaults; Brownstoner reports that last Friday Pratt Institute students and faculty received a warning about an increase of violent activity near the Clinton Hill campus, as reported by the 88th Precinct. more ›

Just in time for summer, the Times has brought the fear to the park, where an army of infectious organisms await anyone reckless enough to let the grass touch their bare feet. According to a number of very uptight dermatologists, taking off your shoes in the park is pretty much akin to soaking them in a bucket of bacteria. more ›

Hold onto your chopsticks; the Times recently commissioned a toxicology report on sushi from 13 local establishments and got back some rather unappetizing results:

More than half of the restaurants and stores surveyed sold sushi with so much mercury that eating just six pieces a week would exceed the amount the EPA says can be safely consumed by an adult of average weight, which the agency defines as 154 pounds, 70 kilograms. People weighing less are advised to consume even less mercury. more ›