Authorities boost estimate of patients who received spinal shots linked to meningitis outbreak. Officials now say nearly 14,000 received the possibly tainted injections. The death toll has reached 14, and at least 155 others have been sickened. Calls grew for a criminal probe of the pharmacy under scrutiny, the New England Compounding Center. Massachusetts’ top health regulator said it appeared to have violated its license by producing large quantities of drugs rather than individual prescriptions. In addition, a woman filed suit in Minnesota, in what could be the first of many cases. Specialized pharmacies like the one implicated in the outbreak have been tied to fatal infections and overdoses for years. Reuters, WebMD, USA Today, The New York Times
Support weakens for genetically engineered foods labeling initiative. A poll from Pepperdine University and the California Business Roundtable found that Proposition 37 — once ahead by more than a 2-1 margin — still leads, but only 48.3 percent to 40.2 percent. Voters undecided about next month’s California ballot measure were 11.5 percent. Pollsters foresee the contest tightening further, as opponents press a media blitz financed by $35 million in contributions. “This is a great example of the power of advertising,” said a pollster who ran the survey of 830 likely voters. If approved, the measure would make California the first state to require labels for genetically engineered produce and processed foods ingredients. Los Angeles Times
Fire that killed five in Baltimore underscores dangers of homes lacking smoke detectors. Fire officials and academic experts said the problem is particularly hazardous in Baltimore, a city full of aging, closely built rowhouses. A recent study of 600 homes in East Baltimore showed about 60 percent lacked working smoke detectors on every level. Wendy Shields, a researcher at Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Injury Research and Policy, said residents living near the city’s more than 16,000 vacant homes are particularly at risk. To improve safety, Baltimore since August 2011 has provided free smoke detectors to residents. Thursday’s deadly blaze brought to 11 the number of fire fatalities in the city this year. The Baltimore Sun
Safety proposal to combat a resurgence of black lung disease appears stalled. The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration’s plan to toughen coal dust limits was unveiled two years ago. It ran into Republican opposition, but received a boost nearly two months ago when the Government Accountability Office issued a report supporting the plan. But in an interview, Joe Main, MSHA’s chief, declined to say when a final rule to carry out the regulations will be released. “It seems like it’s been long enough,” a union official said. “If they’re worried about Republicans calling this another job-killing regulation, let’s remember that coal miners are still dying from black lung.” Rates of black lung have doubled since 1997. The Charleston (W.Va.) Gazette
Wisconsin construction worker’s death leads to proposed fine of $21,000. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has accused Lunda Construction of Black River Falls, Wis., of three violations stemming from an April accident in which a 59-year-old worker, Raymond Aschenbrenner, was fatally struck by a section of a crane he was assembling. OSHA said the company failed to train workers, follow recommended procedures or provide a competent supervisor for assembling the crane. “If Lunda Construction had followed safety standards, this incident may have been prevented,” an OSHA official said. The agency also is investigating the death of a second Lunda worker in a July accident. OSHA, Green Bay Press-Gazette
Compiled by Stuart Silverstein
