The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "product testing" ...
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Testing The System
USA TODAY's "Testing the System" focused on mandated state standardized tests, and in particular, whether radical gains in scores in some schools or classrooms were real or the product of cheating.
Tags: Standardized tests; schools; classrooms; cheating; grades
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Shattered Bakeware
Consumer Reports conducted a year-long fight to win three Freedom of Information requests and uncover product safety information about a common kitchen item, glass bakeware, which had been reported to shatter violently in consumers' kitchens. As a result of the story, we unearthed information, which companies fought fiercely to keep secret, that showed there was real cause for concern. We also did real-life testing in our labs. And now the CPSC is investigating.
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Testing the System
The story focused on mandated state standardized tests and whether radical gains in scores in some schools or classrooms were real or the product of cheating.
Tags: standardized tests; No Child Left Behind; tests; MAP tests; classroom; teachers; cheating
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"Mercury taints skin lighteners"
The Tribune decided to investigate a tip found in a New York Times story that suggested mercury might be present in certain beauty products. The Tribune tested 50 different skin-lightening creams purchased from various locations around Chicago and found that six contained enough mercury to be banned by federal law. When used over time, mercury can be cause health problems, including kidney damage.
Tags: mercury; skin-lightening cream; U.S. Food and Drug Administration; FDA; FOIA; Mercury Policy Project; EcoWaste Coalition
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Toxic Trinkets
After national coverage of toy recalls in the United States, KVOA wanted to localize the story. Using an X-ray gun to examine toys, they found some with lead content over 600 parts per million. They then took all the toys back and did lab testing. "By using lab testing, the entire toy's paint is scraped off and dissolved in acid- then an overall reading is obtained." This resulted in some toys having different lead levels. They found that for some toys, certain parts had over the 600 ppm, but overall the toy was under the amount.
Tags: consumer reports; consumer safety; toy recall; lead content; health; children; lab testing; testing; Consumer Product Safety Commission; Gabrielle Giffords
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Deadly Delay
WTHR investigates how many smoke alarms in American homes "may not activate during the most deadly type of house fire" despite assurances of fire testing agencies.
Tags: fire; fire department; early warning; smoke alarms; homes; safety; house; research; product testing; Indiana
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Best Defense? The secret Battle Over Body Armor
NBC investigated mixed claims on the body armor called Dragon Skin. The Army officially banned the armor but high level soldiers were still wearing it, not Interceptor body armor. Conducting a side by side test between the two, NBC revealed that Dragon Skin was significantly better.
Tags: body armor; army; military; Iraq; CIA; Dragon Skin; Interceptor; Afghanistan; testing; product testing
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CR Investigates New Worries Over Lead
This investigation tested dozens of products and found that many, especially those for children, contained unsafe levels of lead. Many of the toys tested had never been recalled before; the findings reported in this investigation exposed big gaps in federal guidelines, which allowed all of these dangerous products to stay on the shelf.
Tags: consumer safety; child health; lead; poisoning; federal goverment
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Disease is swift, response is slow
Diacetyl is found in thousands of food products and used as a butter flavoring, but the toxicity levels has never been tested. Hundred of workers is a Midwestern popcorn plant developed lung damage after exposure to the chemical.
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The Holy Grail of Fuel Additives
WFAA looked into the state-supported diesel additive said to have the ability to cleanse the air and improve fuel mileage. Their investigation found that not only was the product's effectiveness overstated, but the additive, known as "Green Plus," was actually "nearly pure rubbing alcohol." Usually, high-grade isopropyl alcohol sells for $25 a gallon, but the Texas state government was being charged more than $600 a gallon by the California-based company that was selling this additive. When confronted, "The company ultimately acknowledged their product was essentially rubbing alcohol, but claimed the additive had a secret catalytic blend of virtually immeasurable amounts of trace metals, accounting for the higher cost." Tests by fuel emission testing labs "revealed the product had little or no impact on reducing diesel emissions." In addition, companies that gave testimonials about Green Plus admitted their claims were false. As a result, there was a federal investigation, and the Texas government eliminated Green Plus from its list of approved fuel additives.
Tags: Fuel additives; fuel; diesel fuel; rubbing alcohol; isopropyl alcohol; fuel emissions; fuel mileage; government environmental programs; environment