Today on AirTalk, we discuss the FDA's investigation connecting a chemical contaminant derived from vitamin E to recent vaping illnesses such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and a severe cough. We also examine the latest on The Conception boat fire as the NTSB starts their investigation; and more.
The Latest On The Conception Boat Fire
Today on AirTalk we hear the latest updates on the Conception dive boat fire that killed 34 people.
Interviews with crew members conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board have begun to reveal a detailed picture of what happened the night of the fire. Crew members say doors leading down to the passenger’s sleeping area were engulfed in flames, blocking their way. When they couldn’t get through the ships front windows either, the crew jumped into the water to escape the heat and smoke.
According to law enforcement sources contacted by The Los Angeles Times, the preliminary investigation suggests lapses in safety protocol. Sources told The Times the crew did not station a “roaming night watchman” to patrol the boat while people slept. The owners of Truth Aquatics Inc. have meanwhile petitioned a judge, arguing they should not have to pay money to the families of the victims, citing a maritime statute from 1851.
Guests:
George Malhiot, accredited marine surveyor for Ocean Marine Surveyors Inc., a company based in Newport Beach, CA that inspects and evaluates the condition of commercial and private vessels in marinas in both Northern and Southern California
Michael Vaughn, JD, maritime lawyer and head of the Maritime Law Center based in Huntington Beach
Contaminant Found In Marijuana Vaping Products Could Be Responsible For Recent Lung Illnesses
Federal Drug Administration and New York state public health researchers have found evidence connecting a chemical contaminant to recent vaping illnesses.
According to The Washington Post, the chemical is an oil derived from vitamin E, which can be found naturally in almonds or used as a nutritional supplement. But when vitamin E acetate is inhaled, research suggests it's far from healthy. Those suffering from the vaping-related illness have reported shortness of breath, chest pain, and a cough, which is consistent with reactions to the chemical. So far, two Americans have died from the vaping-related sickness, but it’s not confirmed if vitamin E was associated with those cases.
The new study compared chemical samples of the liquid inside vapes used by victims of the illness. Vitamin E was found in nearly all samples with cannabis, but the FDA didn’t find anything unusual in tests of nicotine vaping products, according to a New York state official. What questions do you have about this study?
FDA STATEMENT:
“We continue to work closely with the CDC and state and local public health partners to investigate these incidents as quickly as possible. More information is needed to better understand whether there’s a relationship between any specific products or substances and the reported illnesses. We are committed to taking appropriate actions as the facts emerge. We are looking into potential leads regarding any particular constituent or compound that may be at issue. The FDA has been and will continue to provide laboratory assistance to state public health officials. The number of samples we have received continues to increase and we now have over 100 samples for testing. The FDA is analyzing samples submitted by the states for the presence of a broad range of chemicals, including nicotine, THC and other cannabinoids along with cutting agents/diluents and other additives, pesticides, opioids, poisons and toxins. No one substance, including Vitamin E acetate, has been identified in all of the samples tested. Importantly, identifying any compounds that are present in the samples will be one piece of the puzzle but will not necessarily answer questions about causality. The results from the FDA’s laboratory analysis will be shared with the respective states to aid in their investigations and will help further inform the federal response.”
Guests:
Matt Richtel, San Francisco based reporter for the New York Times who’s been covering this, he’s the author of “An Elegant Defense: The Extraordinary New Science of the Immune System” (William Morrow 2019); he tweets
Laura Crotty Alexander, MD, University of San Diego associate professor of health sciences; researches lung inflammation and e-cigarettes; physician at the Veterans Affairs of San Deigo
Gregory Conley, founder and president of the American Vaping Association, an industry group that advocates for sensible regulation of vapor products; he tweets
FilmWeek: ‘It Chapter Two,’ ‘Linda Ronstadt: The Sound Of My Voice,’ ‘Ms. Purple’ & more
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Lael Loewenstein and Wade Major review this weekend’s new movie releases.
"It Chapter Two" in wide release
"Linda Ronstadt: The Sound Of My Voice" at the ArcLight Hollywood & The Landmark
"Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!" at Laemmle's Music Hall
"Easy Rider" at Laemmle’s Ahrya Fine Arts on Saturday, September 7 at 7:30 PM
"Blink of an Eye" at Laemmle’s Music Hall
"Ms. Purple" at the Nuart Theater
"Night Hunter" at Laemmle’s NoHo & on VOD
"What You Gonna Do When the World’s on Fire?" at Laemmle’s Glendale
"Strange But True" at Laemmle’s Monica Film Center & on VOD
CRITICS' HITS:
Wade: "It Chapter Two," "What You Gonna Do When the World’s on Fire?," & "Blink of an Eye"
Lael: "Linda Ronstadt: The Sound Of My Voice," "Easy Rider" & "Ms. Purple"
MIXED FEELINGS:
Wade: "Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!"
MISSES:
Wade: "Night Hunter"
Lael: "Strange But True"
Guests:
Lael Loewenstein, KPCC film critic; she tweets
Wade Major, film critic for KPCC and CineGods.com
Veteran Stunt Performers Make Their Case For Why The Academy Should Recognize ‘Best Stunt’ At The Oscars
After more than 40 years in the film industry, stuntman Jack Gill knows a little something about taking a fall. Or a punch. Or crashing a car. And he’s one of a growing number of stunt performers and coordinators who think it’s about time that they get their due on the biggest stage of them all: The Oscars.
Jack has racked up 177 credits in his career, according to IMDB, for his work performing and coordinating stunts for several of the “Fast and Furious” films as well as others like “Austin Powers in Goldmember,” “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,” and “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” just to name a few. And for almost three of the four decades he’s been performing and coordinating stunts, he’s been making his case to The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to add a category for “Best Stunt” to the Oscars.
In a recent interview with Vulture, Gill said that at first The Academy seemed eager to help, but that their interest and willingness to meet with him has waned over the years. He argues that today, stunts and their performers are more visible than ever, given the frequency with which superhero and high-octane action movies come out these days. And some argue that if special effects get their own awards category at the Oscars, stunts should have their own category as well.
So, why hasn’t the Academy created one yet? Even Gill isn’t sure. He admits in his interview with Vulture that he’s long wondered whether the stereotype that stunt performers and coordinators are more of the blue-collar workers of the film industry and not really technicians or artists of the filmmaking craft.
Today on AirTalk, Larry Mantle sits down with Jack Gill and fellow veteran stunt performer and coordinator Julie Michaels to talk about what makes stunt work Oscar-worthy and why the Academy hasn’t added the category already. If you’re a stunt performer or coordinator, do you think there should be an Oscar category recognizing stunt performers and coordinators? We want to hear from you at 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Jack Gill, stuntman and stunt coordinator with over 40 years of experience in the film industry; he has been a stunt double for Jason Statham, Chris Evans and Dennis Quaid and his film credits include stunts and coordination for movies like “Venom,” (2018), “Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle” (2017), “Fast Five,” (2011) “The Hangover Part III” (2013) and stunts on films like “Knight Rider” (1982) and “The Dukes of Hazzard” (1979)
Julie Michaels, actor and stunt woman; her film and TV career spans more than 30 years and her acting and stunt credits include films like “Road House” (1989), “Point Break,” (1991) and “Titanic” (1997) and TV series like “Southland,” “Jane the Virgin,” and “Nashville”