They can slice your fingers off. They can scare the bejeepers out of small children by leaving a bloody trail of crimson transmission fluid on the ice. They can become runaway weapons of vehicular mayhem if controlled by a vodka-swilling driver.
When will society wise up to the inherent dangers of the seemingly innocent Zamboni?
From the CBC comes yet another story of Zamboni baloney:
Public health officials in Quebec City are alerting people who attended a weekend hockey tournament in Portneuf to be vigilant about any breathing problems, after a Zamboni used at the event emitted toxic fumes.
Seven people were sent to hospital with chest pains and breathing problems after playing hockey at the St. Ubalde arena rink on Sunday.
Two of them are still in intensive care, while another is suffering from a build-up of liquid in the lungs. Health officials suspect the patients inhaled nitrogen-oxide emitted by a Zamboni machine with an improperly calibrated motor, operating in an arena that wasn't very well ventilated.
Jokes aside, the air pollution produced by ice resurfacing machines inside smaller rinks and arenas is a serious deal, as spectators and children are breathing in microscopic particles of toxic dust. The solution is a move towards electric resurfacers, but even with their obvious benefits they are a much more expensive option.
