Risky or Not?

A short podcast about everyday risks from germs

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The image shows a contact lens setup on a clean bathroom countertop. A contact lens case with open lids sits beside a bottle of cleaning solution with its cap removed and placed nearby. The countertop features a neatly arranged towel and a mirror, all illuminated by natural light.

720. Accidentally Leaving Your Contact Lens Solution Bottle Open

January 15, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from accidentally leaving your contact lens solution bottle open.

Dr. Don - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ
Professor Ben - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ

  • Eye & Contact Lens
  • The Danger of Using Tap Water with Contact Lenses | US EPA
  • National Outbreak of Acanthamoeba Keratitis Associated with Use of a Contact Lens Solution, United States - PMC
  • Eye Infections From Contact Lenses - American Academy of Ophthalmology
  • Recent Outbreaks of Atypical Contact Lens-Related Keratitis: What Have We Learned? - PMC
January 15, 2025 /Don Schaffner

The image shows an upright freezer in a dimly lit garage, surrounded by clutter like tools and boxes. The freezer door is slightly ajar, and a bright warning light near the top is prominently flashing, creating a sense of urgency against the muted tones of the garage setting.

719. Freezer Ajar for 24 Hours

January 13, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from food in a freezer ajar for 24 hours.

Dr. Don - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ
Professor Ben - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ

  • Homepage - STOCKART
  • Download 1000's of high resolution images | Stockarch Free Stock Photo Archive
  • Avoid Foodborne Illness During Temporary Power Outages | FoodSafety.gov
  • Food safety experts agree with 'when in doubt, throw it out,' here's why | Fox News


January 13, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Freezer, Time temperature control for safety food

The image depicts a person cutting beef bones on a bandsaw in a dimly lit basement or garage. They wear a white chef's hat, protective goggles, and chainmail gloves. The scene includes a sturdy workbench, concrete floors, and storage shelves with tools and boxes, emphasizing the utilitarian, informal environment.

718. Cutting Bones on a Band Saw

January 10, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from cutting bones on a band saw for use in soup stock.

Dr. Don - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ
Professor Ben - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ

  • Food saws for meat - band saws by Wintersteiger
January 10, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Band saw, Physical hazards, Bones, Soup

The image depicts an expired open package of deli meat in a dimly lit refrigerator. The meat appears discolored and unappetizing, with crumpled packaging and faint condensation. Surrounding items include a milk carton, a pickle jar, and vegetables, emphasizing a neglected, realistic kitchen scene.

717. Eating Opened Processed Deli Turkey a Month Past Its Best Before Date

January 08, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of eating expired turkey deli meat.

Dr. Don - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ
Professor Ben - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ

  • 671. Older Man Kayaking With Fresh Wounds in Water Which Regularly Fails Coliform Tests β€” Risky or Not?
  • The combination of lactate and diacetate synergistically reduces cold growth in brain heart infusion broth across Listeria monocytogenes lineages - PubMed
  • Hillshire Farms Ultra Thin Oven Roasted Turkey Breast - 9oz : Target
  • People at Increased Risk for Listeria Infection | Listeria Infection | CDC
  • Cultured dextrose - Wikipedia
  • Sodium phosphate - Wikipedia
  • Controlling Listeria monocytogenes and Leuconostoc mesenteroides in Uncured Deli‐style Turkey Breast Using a Clean Label Antimicrobial - Weyker - 2016 - Journal of Food Science - Wiley Online Library
  • Inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes by propionic acid-based ingredients in cured deli-style Turkey - PubMed
January 08, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Listeria monocytogenes, Deli meat

A blindfolded person leans over a table, humorously using their face to sort seven quirky objects: an egg, paper, cheese wedge, icy tetrahedron, banana, water-filled cube, and jello pentagonal prism. The colorful, playful setting highlights the absurdity of the task, blending surreal elements with a touch of whimsy.

716. Arranging Objects on a Table Using Only Your Face

January 06, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of arranging objects on a table using only your face.

Dr. Don - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ
Professor Ben - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ

  • Taskmaster (TV series) - Wikipedia
  • Arrange the Objects Using Only your Face | Full Task | Taskmaster - YouTube
  • Egg Storage | Official Egg Info
  • Why American Eggs Would Be Illegal In A British Supermarket, And Vice Versa
  • Salmonella in Eggs Information | Official Egg Info
  • New Government advice: British Lion eggs safe for mums-to-be, babies and elderly people | Egg Recipes – British Lion Eggs


January 06, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Cross-contamination, Taskmaster

A large wooden bowl is filled with fresh, vibrant blueberries. Nestled among the berries are two upside-down baseball hats, one red and one blue, with their interiors facing upward. The scene is set on a rustic wooden table, softly lit by natural light, creating a whimsical and cozy atmosphere.

715. Blueberries That Had a New Hat Fall Into Them Twice

January 03, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of eating blueberries that had a new hat fall into them twice.

Dr. Don - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ
Professor Ben - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ

  • National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL
  • put a hat on a hat - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
  • Authentic Washington Spirit Merch | NWSL Shop
  • 401. Unrefrigerated JalapeΓ±o Queso Dip β€” Risky or Not?


January 03, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Cross-contamination, Blueberries, Hat

A joyful 2025 New Year's baby, wearing a "2025" sash, holds and playfully licks a colorful, harmless snake. The backdrop features vibrant New Year's decorations, including fireworks, balloons, and a festive atmosphere, creating a whimsical and celebratory scene that blends innocence, humor, and the excitement of the new year.

714. Baby Licking a Snake

January 01, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of letting your baby lick a snake.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

  • The Surprising Reason Babies Are NOT Afraid of Snakes | Secret Science - YouTube
  • Public Health Notice: Outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to snakes and rodents - Canada.ca


January 01, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Infants, Reptiles, Salmonella, Cross-contamination

The image shows a butternut squash resting on lush green grass by a roadside on a sunny day. In the background, a man walks his dog along the road, which stretches into the distance. The scene is serene, blending natural elements with human activity.

713. Curb Butternut Squash

December 30, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of cooking and eating a butternut squash that you found while walking your dog.

Dr. Don - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ
Professor Ben - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ

  • The Basics of Verbing Nouns | Grammarly Blog
  • Scott Adams: Chris and Matt Go to Hell - Decoding the Gurus
  • Prevent Rot of Winter Squash in Storage
  • The Only Way To Store Butternut Squash, According to a Food Expert


December 30, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Squash, Cross-contamination

The actual β€œalley”, not DALLΒ·E

712. Alley Turkey

December 27, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of using the alley behind your shop for staging turkey smoking.

Dr. Don - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ
Professor Ben - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ

  • Microwave Sparking? 5 Common Causes - Ocean Appliance
  • Feast of the Seven Fishes - Wikipedia
  • An Italian American Christmas: It’s not Traditional, but It’s Our Tradition | Italian Sons and Daughters of America
  • Belmont Butchery with your turkey in a filthy alley : r/rva
  • You All Owe Belmont Butchery an Apology : r/rva
  • Regarding alley turkeys : r/rva
  • Home - Belmont Butchery


December 27, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Turkey, Cross-contamination

A festive scene with a plate of cookies, one bitten, and partially drunk milk left for Santa, alongside carrots for the reindeer. Warm light from a fireplace and Christmas decor, including a tree and stockings, set a cozy ambiance. In the background, Santa is glimpsed departing the room.

711. Leaving Cookies and Milk Out for Santa

December 25, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of leaving cookies and milk out for Santa, and carrots for his reindeer.

Dr. Don - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ
Professor Ben - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ

  • How To Celebrate The Winter Solstice
  • How does Santa make it around the world in one night? | HowStuffWorks
  • Is Santa Claus immune to COVID-19? - YouTube
  • Immunologists convinced Santa has a great immune system - News & Events | Trinity College Dublin
December 25, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Milk, Cookies, Santa, Time temperature control for safety food

The image shows an open pint of vanilla ice cream in a plain, unbranded container on a clean kitchen counter. The surface of the ice cream is marked with mysterious, faintly glowing green spots, creating an eerie, unnatural appearance. The setting is softly lit, emphasizing the unusual details.

710. Mystery Green Spots in Ice Cream

December 23, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks associated with mysterious green spots in ice cream.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

  • Jeni's Ice Creams
  • A Greenish-Black Discoloration of Chocolate Ice Cream
December 23, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Ice cream, Mold, Green color, Ferric tannate

The image shows a plate of roasted Sriracha chickpeas on a plain counter. The chickpeas are dry, shriveled, and slightly moldy, with patches of white fuzz indicating spoilage. The unappetizing appearance suggests they have been left out for days, emphasizing a sense of potential hazard and neglect.

709. Homemade Roasted Sriracha Chickpeas at Room Temperature for Days

December 20, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating homemade roasted sriracha chickpeas left at room temperature for three days.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

  • Roasted Sriracha Chickpeas - ShortGirlTallOrder
  • Easy Roasted Chickpeas - Super Healthy Kids
December 20, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Chickpeas, Water activity, Roasting

The image depicts a doctor in a white coat and stethoscope, holding a container of expired pasteurized milk with a puzzled expression. Behind them, on a clean kitchen counter, lies an open yogurt-making manual alongside utensils, suggesting a potential plan to repurpose the milk creatively despite its expiration.

708. Expired Pasteurized Cows Milk Used for Yogurt

December 18, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from using expired pasteurized cows milk used for yogurt.

Dr. Don - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ
Professor Ben - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ

  • 563. Chris's Yogurt Without Heating β€” Risky or Not?
  • 128. Milk on the Counter Over Night β€” Risky or Not?
  • Foods Near the End of Their Shelf Life - Consumption Recommendations | Consumer Food Waste Community of Practice | Connect
  • Staphylococcus aureus Toxin Formation in Hydrated Batter Mixes
December 18, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Yogurt, Shelf life, Expiration dates, Use by dates, Milk

The image shows a plump, cheerful bat perched on a branch in a lush, green forest. It holds a colorful bunch of berries in one wing while taking a juicy bite from another berry in the other wing, surrounded by vibrant foliage and more scattered berries, exuding whimsy and charm.

707. Eating Fruit That’s Been Bitten by a Bat

December 16, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of eating fruit that has been bitten by a bat.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

  • Teacher Bitten By Bat In Classroom Dies Of Rabies
  • Zoonotic Exposures: Bites, Stings, Scratches & Other Hazards | CDC Yellow Book 2024
  • Unrecognized diversity of mammalian orthoreoviruses in North American bats - ScienceDirect
  • Rabies - Frequently Asked Questions | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
  • Ecology and Host Identity Outweigh Evolutionary History in Shaping the Bat Microbiome | mSystems
  • Bats: Important Reservoir Hosts of Emerging Viruses | Clinical Microbiology Reviews
  • Bluesky Climbs to 24 Million Users, AOC Now Has 1 Million Followers: Should You Join? - CNET
December 16, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Bats, Rabies, Cross-contamination, Fruit

The image features a cheerful black-and-white Jack Russell Terrier sitting upright indoors. One paw holds a tomato sauce jar lid, which the dog is licking, while the other paw clutches the jar. The scene is cozy and well-lit, highlighting the dog's playful nature and the glossy surfaces of the jar and lid.

706. Reused Dog Licked Sauce Lid

December 13, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of reusing a tomato sauce lid after it has been licked by a dog.

Dr. Don - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ
Professor Ben - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ

  • Hit Somebody! (The Hockey Song) - YouTube
  • Microbiota populations in supragingival plaque, subgingival plaque, and saliva habitats of adult dogs | Animal Microbiome
  • The Impact of Dogs Oral Microbiota on Human Health: A review – Biosciences Biotechnology Research Asia
  • Cultivable Oral Microbiota of Domestic Dogs | Journal of Clinical Microbiology
  • Dog Saliva: 9 Facts You Should Know | PetMD
  • 700. Dog Tongue Kiss β€” Risky or Not?
December 13, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Dogs, Cross-contamination, Tomato Sauce

The image shows a person wearing gloves and an apron, using a cloth towel to dry a poultry carcass on a clean kitchen counter. A modern white washing machine is visible in the background, emphasizing a bright, hygienic environment. The scene highlights care and cleanliness during food preparation.

705. Washing Poultry Blotting Towels in Cold Water

December 11, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from washing poultry blotting towels in cold water.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ

  • Kitchen cloths: Consumer practices, drying properties and bacterial growth and survival - ScienceDirect
  • 1 Million Dollars Scene | AUSTIN POWERS (1997) Movie CLIP HD - YouTube
December 11, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Poultry, Salmonella, Cross-contamination, Cloth towels

A realistic depiction of a friendly, quirky character with a warm smile, casually chewing on a piece of paper featuring typed words. The character, dressed in casual clothing, is seated in a cozy indoor setting with soft lighting, surrounded by subtle details like books and a coffee cup, evoking a relaxed atmosphere.

704. Eating a Paper Ballot

December 09, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating a paper ballot.

Dr. Don - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ
Professor Ben - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ

  • Arc de Triomphe - Wikipedia
  • Acrylamide | ToxFAQsβ„’ | ATSDR
  • Safety Data Sheet - Voters Ink
  • An unusual case of xylophagia (paper-eating) - PMC
  • Do By Friday
  • ChatGPT- is it safe to eat a paper ballot
  • A meta‐analysis of pica and micronutrient status - Miao - 2015 - American Journal of Human Biology - Wiley Online Library
  • ChatGPT - how many episodes make an arc?
December 09, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Toxicology, Choking hazard

A crumpled fast food paper bag sits on a parking lot's asphalt, faintly stained with grease. The urban backdrop includes blurred buildings and parked cars under a cloudy sky. Scattered leaves and painted parking lines add detail, while soft daylight creates a casual, everyday atmosphere.

703. Using a Strangers Paper Napkin Found in a Parking Lot

December 06, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks using a strangers paper napkin found in a parking lot.

Dr. Don - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ
Professor Ben - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ

  • Keep America Beautiful: The Crying Indian (1970) - YouTube
  • Iron Eyes Cody - Wikipedia
  • First Thanksgiving - SNL - YouTube
December 06, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Cross-contamination

The image depicts a microwave interior with a transparent container of pasta and melted cheese. Cheese has splashed out, smearing a nearby crumpled paper towel. The scene is lit by typical microwave lighting, highlighting the messy spillage and the glossy texture of the cheese against the clean microwave background.

702. Reusing a Paper Towel Used to Cover Microwaved Kraft Dinner

December 04, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of reusing a paper towel used to cover microwaved Kraft Dinner.

Dr. Don - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ
Professor Ben - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ

  • Kraft Dinner - Wikipedia
  • Barenaked Ladies – If I Had $1,000,000 Lyrics | Genius Lyrics
  • Can you use the plastic cake covers you get at the store and use them as microwave covers? - Quora
  • ChatGPT - Microwaving Mac and Cheese


December 04, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Cross-contamination, Kraft dinner, Macaroni and cheese

A close-up of stainless steel cutleryβ€”a fork, knife, and spoonβ€”resting on a light-colored countertop. The utensils have small food remnants like breadcrumbs and sauce stains adhered to them, creating a slightly messy, casual scene. The countertop's smooth texture and soft natural lighting add to the realistic detail.

701. Reusing Unwashed Cutlery With Food Particles

December 02, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks reusing unwashed cutlery that has food particles attached.

Dr. Don - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ
Professor Ben - not risky πŸ‘πŸΌ

  • Food Utensil Bacteriology - PMC
  • Microbiological assessment of cutleries - MedCrave online
  • Contamination of knives and graters by bacterial foodborne pathogens during slicing and grating of produce - ScienceDirect
  • Enterobacter aerogenes B199A May Be an Effective Surrogate for Quantifying Transfer of Salmonella Newport 96E01152C-TX from Cucumber Peel to Edible Flesh and Peeler during Peeling - ScienceDirect


December 02, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Cutlery, Washing, Cross-contamination
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