Is it a good idea to dump coffee grounds down the garbage disposal? We checked with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission:
- Experts there tell us it is NOT a good idea to dump coffee grounds down the sink.
- The grounds settle in the trap of the disposal instead of going down the drain-- and can eventually clog up your sewer line.
- WSSC recommends dumping those coffee grounds in the trash instead.
Is the radiation from the new airport full body scanners dangerous? The Transportation Security Administration says:
- There are two new systems for checking passengers. One is called millimeter wave AIT and the other is backscatter x-ray AIT. AIT stands for Advanced Imaging Technology.
- Millimeter wave AIT uses radio frequency energy to generate a 3-D image of the body. Energy projected by this technology is about 10 thousand times less than a cell phone transmission.
- The backscatter x-ray uses a low-energy x-ray beam to scan the surface of the body at a high speed. Radiation exposure from one backscatter scan is about the same as 2 minutes of flying or 17 minutes of ordinary living.
- Also, the full body screening is optional for all passengers, and those who don’t want the full body scan will receive an alternative screening... including a physical pat down.
Does liquor like vodka or rum have a shelf life? The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control told us:
- Distilled spirits do NOT spoil unless they are mixed with something else.
- A regular bottle of liquor, such as rum or vodka, is fine even after it is opened.
- However, it’s important to always check the label because some drinks like eggnog DO need to be refrigerated after opening.
Got a question for "Ask Liz"? Send any consumer questions to askliz@nbcwashington.com.
