At least that's what the researcher is suggesting. Okay, you saw the story.. you know this was work done in the lab. And you know that he's not exactly saying the preservative is dangerous.. just not safe (that distinction really is sublte but important).

Here is everything you ever wanted to know. Or at least everything I could dig up given my time constraints.

Original article that has been picked up all over the place:
http://news.independent.co.uk/health/article2586652.ece

Info on the researcher: http://www.shef.ac.uk/mbb/staff/piper

Industry paper from UK: http://www.barkeeper.co.uk/News_Item.asp?News_ID=782

Not domestic either, but it did get me thinking about everything in our food:
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/health/article2591702.ece

Info on a story I did back in April of 2006 on a similar issue: http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2006/506_benzene.html

By the way, my local interview for this story didn't happen until 3:30. 3:30!! We go on at 5pm!! Let's just say I have a few new gray hairs, but it was worth it.

And since I solicited your opinions, I have to tell you-- you totally shared your opinions (THANKS)... it's a 100%, unanimous, not-even-close, in favor of the hair down look for me. I've stuck it behind the ear to keep it from looking stringy on the "two-shots" ((those shots when you see me looking lovingly at my various co-anchors when I fill in)).

Elaine writes: Hey Steph.........just had to say you look GORGEOUS!!!!
Love your hair down!!!!

Michael writes: So, you changed it again? Was was your motive? Just tired of the old one? I like it. It is nice. I'm not a hair expert so it looks fine to me. lol.
Nice story btw.

Yeah, you sooo get brownie points for mentioning the story, too. I love that!! Yup- just bored. Trust me, John is happy I didn't hack it all off like I did last time I got the urge to make a change!

Amy writes: Hey. So I think your hair looks really good down. Just my opinion.

John (NOT my husband John) writes: Steph, I think your hair looks great!

Audrey writes: I noticed last evening that your hair was different, and I really like it on you that way. It looks soft and natural, but not all bristly like some of the styles are lately that look like a bad haircut. You look younger with it down. I like it the way you wore it before too, was it a French braid? Now I can’t remember.

I just kind of wound it up and stuffed it into this little bun. Not the most glamorous look, but easy, fast, and rock solid no matter what the weather. I like this, too. The change is fun. But it does take more primping.

Elizabeth writes: ...we saw you on the news last night (Memorial day) and you did great! (And you’re right humidity does SUCK! That was pretty funny, I know my husband did not catch that but I did and it made me laugh out loud). We both thought your hair looks really nice down like you had it.

Amy writes: Sorry I missed Friday's newscast and your hair down! :) It looks good! And I actually do like your "unprimped" version just as well....very casual which I totally understand and love. For the most part I'm a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal but then again being at home with kids, that tends to be my uniform!

Oh yeah, the tea and sun protection thing....fascinating! That said, I will probably at this point never put down my sunscreen as I am fair skinned and I actually tend to break out (my arms, face, hands) tend to get all bumpy after about 20 minutes in the sun. Walking my child home from school requires lots of sunscreen, a floppy hat, and often a long sleeved shirt!

Oh yeah, sunscreen is my best friend, too. I miss those days when I could spend 8 hours outside slathered up in baby oil slowly roasting myself to a dark brown at the local water park. I'm going to have the skin of an 80 year old when I'm 40, but hey-- I was just a kid at the time! I had no idea!!

:-)

I'm checking out "Chicago" tonite.. I'll have to let you know what I think. I saw it in town before when it starred Tom Wopat (HELLO, favorite childhood show!!!). I plan to ogle Lisa Rinna's pout.

CLICK HERE: Stephanie Stricklen still wants to hear about her hair, which is interesting because normally that's the last thing she wants to hear about.