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Raw Bytes Computer News KPBX FM 91.1 Radio National Public Radio Network Frank Delaney Producer Broadcast on Thursday Morning 7:35 AM During Morning Edition Support Public Radio ! The Theater Of the Mind |
In computer news this week 8/4/2005 |
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“Dusting” doesn’t
mean what you think with computers today Computers
are always dusty and dirty. They’re designed with fans inside them to
circulate air to cool them down, and those fans tend to suck in dust and dirt
into and on your computer. If your new computer is shiny black, in several
months it will start turning gray due to dust accumulation. Particularly if you put it on the
floor, which is the worst place to put your computer, right down there in the
dirt and grime; right where you can kick it over, and right where cleaning
people swing their wet mops and brooms. So dust
is a natural accumulation on computers, and in lieu of a dust rag, the high
tech solution to cleaning computers has been cans of compressed air which you
can buy at any computer store or department store which sells computer
supplies,. I’ve used the stuff for years; generally every few months,
and it really works well to blow dust off your computer keyboard, the
monitor, and around your work space. But just
like cold medicines you can buy over-the-counter have become dangerous and
controlled, because of their ingredients which are used to create
methamphetamines, now the innocent can of compressed air is having warning
labels placed on it and being sold with new caution. I recently
caught a feature on Dusting on CNN, which was reported by KCRA television, in
Sacramento, Calif. “A
common cleaning product has become the inhalant of choice for a growing
number of teenagers. The practice is called "dusting.", inhaling
compressed air from cans of computer dusting products and the results can be
deadly. A California teen said he tried it once and
regretted it. "I couldn't move for three to four minutes. I was staring
at the door thinking I wanted to get up and touch it, but I couldn't do
anything. It was one of the scariest feelings in the world," He survived
his "dusting" experience, but his brother didn’t. Last
summer, the 17-year-old and two other High School students were killed in a car
crash. A can of compressed air was found inside the vehicle and authorities
said a chemical consistent with the computer cleaner "Dust Off" was
found in the bloodstream of one of the teens. Jon
Daily, a drug counselor with New Directions in Sacramento, said he's treated
a few dusting addicts. "This is the inhalant of choice
for young people nowadays," "I had a kid who had been using it and
had repeated nose bleeds. He had to see his doctor and get part of his nose
cauterized." Inhaling the chemicals can give a feeling of euphoria for a
few minutes. In some cases it can result in paralysis, slurred speech, a
staggered walk, permanent brain damage and even death. Experts said teens
like it because it's cheap, easy to buy and hard to detect. To combat
the problem, retailers have made it more difficult for teens to get their
hands on compressed air products. At Staples, customers must be at least 18
to purchase Dust Off or similar products. Falcon,
the maker of Dust Off, is also taking action by placing warning labels on the
top if its cans. . It is
estimated that as many as 150 American teens and young adults die each use
from abusing aerosol inhalants. So if you
use Dust Off or similar products, be aware of the potential dangers. For Raw Bytes This is Frank Delaney (C) 2005 MTA Micro
Technology Associates http://www.mtamicro.com/kpbx.html (509)624-7230 |
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