In article ,
Martin Brown wrote:

ISTR that the giant hogweed persecution in the UK began in the 60's
after children playing with the stems suffered appalling injuries to
face and arms as a result. I never really considered cow parsley that
much of a threat but the risk is possible - same with that tasty variety
of celery that they bred with potent photosensitivity.

Which rag did you get that out of? The headlines certainly said
"appalling injuries", but it was a dead period and the gutter
press needed some headlines. As far as I know (and I tried to
check), they were nothing more than the normal photochemical
reaction, and would heal up normally.

It's just like the asbestos hysteria, which has had the primary
effect of creating a totally unnecessary industry of asbestos
removal, and has almost certainly not had a measurable effect
on health.

I don't think your namesake Malcolm would be quite so cavalier about the
risks of asbestos. UK has too much blue and brown asbestos around in the
mix. The white form and concrete composite materials using it are
relatively benign by comparison and at least 100x less dangerous.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/m...aren-dies.html

Oh, for heaven's sake! The problems were ALL, to within measurability,
caused to people who were working with asbestos, and not those who
merely used the products. All that was needed was to tighten the
Elfin Safety rules in its manufacture and processing, but the
hysterics demanded actions that probably increased the danger
to the public (from almost nil to negligible). Phasing it out
was the correct decision, but the panic was (and is) not, and there
is absolutely no justification for removing it from buildings as
soon as it is found.

Those aren't just my opinions. I got the same from two experts
on the topic - and I mean top-level experts - who I met socially.

The risk from asbestos in the UK to ordinary people was and is
almost certainly lower than the risk of being killed by lightning,
and other such things.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.