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LEXINGTON GAY/LESBIAN SERVICES ORGANIZATION, P.O. BOX mm, LEXINGTON, KY M75

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CAN YOU RELY ON CONDOMS?

This same headline filled the cover of was the first in the firm's 50-year history.
the March edition of Consumer Reports. The Two specific production lots had been
answer to their question is emphatically - identified as containing minute amounts of oil.
YES! The article purports to tell ”which Nonetheless, all lots produced on that machine
brands are most likely to protect you against during the three month interval between
sexually transmitted disease.“ It does not! routine maintenance, a total of 35 lots, were

Consumer Reports checked 37 condom voluntarily recalled by Ansell and destroyed.
varieties by performing two different tests. Ansell's poor airburst ratings are
Condoms sold in the U.S. are tested by the probably biased by testing of damaged lots.
FDA for leakage. All 37 varieties passed the As Consumer Reports notes, condoms sold
leakage test. Condoms sold in other countries outside the U.S. are subjected to airburst
are tested for "airburst," where a machine tests. Ansell sells the same condoms in
blows up the condom until it explodes. The Canada as it markets here. Ansell V.P.
machine calculates both the volume of air and Bradley Pugh stated the Canadian condoms are
the air pressure when the condom explodes. manufactured on the same machines, using the
Since all the condoms passed FDA standards, same production procedures, but subjected to
Consumer Reports used the airburst results to the airburst test rather than the leakage test.
rate the 37 brands. The company's products comply with both

Top rating went to Gold Circle Coin, a American leakage standards and Canadian
condom familiar in Lexington because it was airburst standards. Even Consumer Reports
distributed by both ACT-Lexington and the noted that Ansell received both the top and
Health Department. That manufacturer is now bottom rating for the same model condom.
out of business. Consumers Union, the publishers of

Lifestyles Extra Strength received Consumer Reports, refused to explain the
second place honors, and other models of testing and statistical methods used, or even
Lifestyles scored highly. Lifestyles, discuss the article by phone. Directed at
manufactured by Ansell, lnc., are distributed heterosexuals, their report included
locally by AVOL and have been ordered by the instructions on what they judge "proper"
Fayette County Health Department. condom use: "Place the rolled condom over the

Despite generally excellent ratings, two tip of the erect penis. If the condom has a
Ansell models received the lowest airburst reservoir tip, squeeze out the air. Otherwise,
rankings from Consumer Reports. The low leave a half-inch space at the end (and
ratings are questionable because the article squeeze out the air). Unroll the condom down
states that last October, Ansell "issued a the length of the penis." Attention all gay
voluntary recall for defective lots Ln_e_rl! Do not unroll the condom until you
including several of the lots we tested." The place a dab of water soluble lubricant on the
Consumer Reports article offered no tip of the penis. Obviously Consumer Reports
explanation of why recalled products were has not read any "safer sex“ brochures.
tested, even though it reported the recall was The bottom line is that you have three
prompted by oil contamination during choices: mutual monogamy, abstinence, or
manufacture. As you "safer sex“ experts condoms to prevent sharing of “body fluids."
know, oil weakens latex condoms. AVOL had The FDA and Surgeon General refuse to rate
received the recall notice, but none of those condom brands, and Consumer Reports
condoms were shipped to Lexington. apparently erred in its attempt. Condoms

Concerned about the low ratings on two remain your best defense against AIDS.
Ansell products, representatives of GLSO, Sensationalism designed to sell magazines can
AVOL and the Health Department called the be hazardous to your health.
firm. Ansell executives explained the recall