Mass Hysteria in China?

[thør]

In a front-page story, the New York Times (7/30, A1, Jacobs) reports from Jilin City, China, that more than 1,200 workers at a textile mill complained about "unknown substances" that "came from a factory across the street that produces aniline, a highly toxic chemical used in the manufacture of polyurethane, rubber, herbicides and dyes." One of them, Tian Lihua, "was just beginning her morning shift when she felt a wave of nausea, then numbness in her limbs and finally dizziness that gave way to unconsciousness." Other symptoms included "convulsions, breathing difficulties, vomiting and temporary paralysis." However, Chinese health officials said that the episode is not "chemical contamination," but "a communal outbreak of psychogenic illness, also called mass hysteria. The blurry vision, muscle spasms and pounding headaches, according to a government report issued in May, were simply psychological reactions to a feared chemical exposure."

[TurdFergeson]

That or severe pollution

[ChauvanistPig]

They're probably making Gatorade there for Wal-Mart.

[thør]

Originally Posted by TurdFergeson

That or severe pollution

Water Pollution Widespread In Many Chinese Cities. The AP (7/29) reported from Beijing that "contaminated drinking water has sickened more than 2,600 people in northern China, including 59 who were hospitalized with fevers, diarrhea, stomach aches and vomiting," according to Wednesday's state media accounts. "Heavy rains caused contaminants to seep into a water supply in Chifeng city in Inner Mongolia, the official Xinhua News Agency reported, without saying what the contaminants were." Even though "the government has taken measures to control water pollution, problems such as acid rain - caused by industrial pollution in the atmosphere - remain prevalent in many Chinese cities. Raw tap water is unsafe to drink, and most Chinese have to boil it before drinking."

[islandman]

Originally Posted by thør

However, Chinese health officials said that the episode is not "chemical contamination," but "a communal outbreak of psychogenic illness, also called mass hysteria. The blurry vision, muscle spasms and pounding headaches, according to a government report issued in May, were simply psychological reactions to a feared chemical exposure."

Because the Chinese have such a stellar record of workplace safety.

[thør]

Potential Health Effects
----------------------------------

Inhalation:
Toxic. Affects ability of blood to carry oxygen. Symptoms may include bluish discoloration of lips and tongue, severe headache, nausea, confusion, dizziness, shock, respiratory paralysis, death.
Ingestion:
Toxic. Lethal dose may be as little as one gram. Symptoms of ingestion parallel those of inhalation exposure.
Skin Contact:
May be absorbed through skin. Symptoms of skin absorption parallel those from inhalation exposure. May cause skin irritation. Local contact may cause dermatitis.
Eye Contact:
Vapor is an eye irritant. May cause tearing, blurred vision. Splashes may cause corneal damage.
Chronic Exposure:
Aniline is a blood toxin, causing hemoglobin to convert to methemoglobin, resulting in cyanosis. Lengthy or repeated exposures may result in decreased appetite, anemia, weight loss, nervous system affects, and kidney, liver and bone marrow damage. Any exposure may cause an allergic skin reaction.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or eye problems or impaired liver or kidney function may be more susceptible to the effects of the substance. A NIOSH study reported an excess bladder cancer risk in workers exposed to aniline in combination with other dyestuffs and intermediates, although it is not clear which of these materials, or combinations, were responsible for the higher incidence of bladder cancer. Based on the results of this study , historical epidemiology evidence which shows no correlation of pure aniline with bladder cancer, and experimental test results, it was concluded that aniline, most likely, is not responsible for the increased incidence of bladder tumors in the NIOSH study.

[Holy Devil]

Isn't Busybody visiting China?

[thør]

Originally Posted by Holy Devil

Isn't Busybody visiting China?

Why would he visit China?

He has a wife.

[chipbutty]

Our cities and towns are ful of toxic material we'd never think about. Cyanide was/is(?) not uncommon in metal-working and I'm sure there are many others too that, if not kept under strict control, could escape and contaminate the air locally.

Theyre covering up before they get shot.

[thør]

Originally Posted by chipbutty

Our cities and towns are ful of toxic material we'd never think about. Cyanide was/is(?) not uncommon in metal-working and I'm sure there are many others too that, if not kept under strict control, could escape and contaminate the air locally.

Theyre covering up before they get shot.

It appears the gov't is doing the cover-up. I wouldn't doubt that someone might disappear because of this. And we will never know about that.

[ChauvanistPig]

Originally Posted by chipbutty

Our cities and towns are ful of toxic material we'd never think about. Cyanide was/is(?) not uncommon in metal-working and I'm sure there are many others too that, if not kept under strict control, could escape and contaminate the air locally.

Theyre covering up before they get shot.

And just think of all the CFL's that get broken and the consumers that have no clue that they're dealing with a hazard.

[Karen Kraft]

Originally Posted by TurdFergeson

That or severe pollution

No! It was the running dog revisionists and their wagging-tongue gangs!

[TurdFergeson]

Originally Posted by Karen Kraft

No! It was the running dog revisionists and their wagging-tongue gangs!

Capitalism run amok

Unrestrained..

[Karen Kraft]

Originally Posted by TurdFergeson

Capitalism run amok

Unrestrained..

I prefer restrained.

[Recidiva]

"Mass Hysteria" - what people say to explain things they can't or don't want to explain.

[Byron In Exile]

Originally Posted by thør

In a front-page story, the New York Times (7/30, A1, Jacobs) reports from Jilin City, China, that more than 1,200 workers at a textile mill complained about "unknown substances" that "came from a factory across the street that produces aniline, a highly toxic chemical used in the manufacture of polyurethane, rubber, herbicides and dyes." One of them, Tian Lihua, "was just beginning her morning shift when she felt a wave of nausea, then numbness in her limbs and finally dizziness that gave way to unconsciousness." Other symptoms included "convulsions, breathing difficulties, vomiting and temporary paralysis." However, Chinese health officials said that the episode is not "chemical contamination," but "a communal outbreak of psychogenic illness, also called mass hysteria. The blurry vision, muscle spasms and pounding headaches, according to a government report issued in May, were simply psychological reactions to a feared chemical exposure."

Just people.

China has plenty of people.

[ChauvanistPig]

Originally Posted by Recidiva

"Mass Hysteria" - what people say to explain things they can't or don't want to explain.

I thought it was a multi-platinum Def Leppard CD.

[thør]

Originally Posted by Karen Kraft

I prefer restrained.

I have 24" x 175# tie wraps.......

[TurdFergeson]

Originally Posted by Karen Kraft

I prefer restrained.

Houdini style?

:P

[Recidiva]

Originally Posted by ChauvanistPig

I thought it was a multi-platinum Def Leppard CD.

And can you explain Def Leppard?

[Byron In Exile]

Originally Posted by thør

I have 24" x 175# tie wraps.......

You rock...

[ChauvanistPig]

Originally Posted by Recidiva

And can you explain Def Leppard?

Not since Pyromania I can't.

[Byron In Exile]

Originally Posted by Recidiva

And can you explain Def Leppard?

Like anyone can explain UFO.

You remember the music you were hearing at the time you were taken up.

[Karen Kraft]

Originally Posted by thør

I have 24" x 175# tie wraps.......

I prefer Velcro.

[Byron In Exile]

Thank the gods I never listened to Frampton.