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GAMBLING
If you're a so-called "pathological gambler," you're raising your risk of becoming dependent on cocaine and/or tobacco, showing signs of antisocial personality disorder, being unemployed, participating in illegal activities, and being incarcerated. But you're probably willing to take the gamble. |
GARBAGE BAGS
Garbage bags attract rats, which easily chew through the plastic. Some cities, including New York, are thinking of requiring that all garbage be enclosed in heavy cans for collection. (In New York, the rats would probably just make off with the garbage cans.) |
GARBAGE COLLECTOR, BEING A
Garbage collectors have an unusually high risk of dying from pulmonary tuberculosis. Also, nobody will sit next to them on the bus. |
GARDENING
You think you've got a green thumb, but do too much gardening and you might not be so sure. Gardeners exposed to pesticides are five times more likely than the general population to suffer from so-called "mild cognitive dysfunctions" such as difficulties in speaking or problems in identifying words, numbers, or colors. So was that thumb green, or purple, or... |
GARDENING, TV PROGRAMS ON
Green thumbs can also turn into sore thumbs. People get inspired by TV programs on gardening and overextend them-selves in their own gardens, risking damage to their backs, shoulders, and hands. |
GARLIC, NOT TAKING
People who take don't take garlic supplements are at higher risk of malaria and cancer, and are much more likely to come down with colds. They're also more likely to be bitten by vampires. |
GARLIC, TAKING
Garlic supplements sharply reduce the effectiveness of at least one anti-HIV drug. On the other hand, they make you less likely to get HIV in the first place: nobody's going to get that close to you if you've been eating garlic. |
GAS, COOKING WITH
Fumes given off by gas cooking may result in or aggravate respiratory problems. Finally, a good use for that gas mask you bought in September 2001. |
GAS STATIONS
Believe it or not, being a gas station attendant isn't as much fun as it looks. People working in gas stations are subject to an unusually high rate of homicides. |
GINKGO BILOBA
Ginkgo biloba acts as a blood thinner and may increase the risk of excessive bleeding or stroke if taken with anticoagulant drugs. (This is the pharmaceutical industry's version; the Chinese healer's version is that anticoagulant drugs are bad for you.) |
