Study: PFAS Makers Concealed Dangers Of Forever Chemicals
June 1, 2023, Mirage
The chemical industry took a page out of the tobacco playbook. They discovered and suppressed their knowledge of health harms caused by exposure to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), according to an analysis of previously secret industry documents by UC San Francisco (UCSF) researchers. A new paper published in Annals of Global Health examines documents from DuPont and 3M, the largest manufacturers of PFAS. It analyzes the tactics industry used to delay public awareness of PFAS toxicity and, in turn, delay regulations governing their use.
CPSC: Stop Using Fire Extinguisher Balls Due To Risk Of Serious Injury Or Death
June 1, 2023, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning about the risk of burns and smoke inhalation associated with the use of certain fire extinguisher balls sold on Amazon.com. Specifically, the products can fail to properly disperse fire suppressing chemicals and extinguish a fire. In addition, they do not have a pressure gauge or indicator, a locking device to reduce the risk of unintentional discharge, a self-closing valve for intermittent discharge or a nozzle to direct the discharge. These products fail to meet the requirements of UL 299 Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers, UL 711 Rating and Fire Testing of Fire Extinguishers and NFPA 10 Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers which are voluntary safety standards.
Why Conflicting Ideas Can Make Your Strategy Stronger
May 31, 2023, Harvard Business Review
In a volatile, uncertain world, successful strategies are those conceived as portfolios of options rather than as roadmaps. But to successfully create and communicate such strategies, managers must embrace incompatible and misaligned ideas and communicate multiple and conflicting narratives. They must share ideas as they think of them as opposed to the traditional sequence of thinking then sharing. To enable this, leaders need to foster a culture in which people can disagree without being punished for it.
Summer Health Hazards And How To Prevent Them
May 30, 2023, WTAE
The unofficial start of summer is here, and with fun comes risk — especially for kids around pools, water parks and beaches. “Fatal drownings are 100% preventable if folks follow some simple water safety steps,” said Thaddeus Harrington of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Infant swimming safety classes are helping, but Harrington stresses, There’s no substitute for adult supervision. Sixty-seven percent of drownings occur in residential pools.
Why Are UK Rail Companies Banning E-Scooters On Trains?
June 1, 2023, ITVx
South Western Railway, Southeastern, Southern Rail, Thameslink, Gatwick Express and Scotrail made the move on Thursday, while Avanti West Coast, LNER, Northern, TransPennine Express and Transport for London (TfL) already have a ban in place. Rail companies argue that if e-scooter fires were to happen on their trains, there could be terrible consequences. As well as e-scooters, the ban covers e-skateboards, e-unicycles and hoverboards.
Top AI Researchers & CEOs Warn Against ‘Risk Of Extinction’ In Joint Statement
May 30, 2023, VentureBeat
A group of leading artificial intelligence (AI) experts — including many pioneering researchers who have sounded alarms in recent months about the existential threats posed by their own work — released a sharply worded statement warning of a “risk of extinction” from advanced AI if its development is not properly managed. The joint statement, signed by hundreds of experts including OpenAI, DeepMind and Anthropic CEOs aims to overcome obstacles to openly discussing catastrophic risks from AI, according to its authors. It comes during a period of intensifying concern about the societal impacts of AI.
Canada Begins Public Consultation On Proposal To Recommend Adding PFAS To CEPA Schedule 1
May 30, 2023, JD Supra
On May 20, 2023, Canada published a Canada Gazette notice announcing the availability of its Draft State of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Report (Draft Report). Canada proposes to conclude that the class of PFAS meets one or more criteria set out in Section 64 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). According to the notice, the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health (the ministers) propose to recommend that the class of PFAS be added to the CEPA Schedule 1 List of Toxic Substances. The ministers have released a risk management scope document for PFAS to initiate discussions with stakeholders on the development of risk management options. Comments on the Draft Report and risk management scope document are due July 19, 2023.
Clothing Retailers Want QR Codes To Replace Bulky Tags
May 31, 2023, Axios
If the apparel industry gets its way, small labels with QR codes on them would replace the bulky clothing tags that offer washing instructions and other information. Garment manufacturers have been lobbying Congress and the Federal Trade Commission for permission to replace physical clothing tags — which must include care instructions, fiber content, country of origin, etc. — with digital labels, most likely in the form of a QR code. A consumer could scan that code to get the legally required information and more — such as recycling instructions, supply chain information, product recalls, the sustainability practices of the manufacturer and more.
Commentary – E-Bike Injuries: ‘We’re Only Seeing The Tip Of The Iceberg,’ Trauma Experts Warn
June 1, 2023, Fortune
Though the record-keeping on severe e-bike injuries is spotty, both anecdotal evidence and emergency, trauma and orthopedic department interviews suggest that we’re on the front edge of a new order of danger on both bike paths and roadways. “I honestly believe that we probably are only seeing the tip of the iceberg,” says Dr. Marko Bukur, medical director of trauma at New York’s Bellevue Hospital and himself an avid cyclist. “A lot of the injuries that are coded (in the electronic medical record) as conventional powered devices are probably e-devices.” The bigger problem: We have no coherent plan for dealing with it.
Hazardous Effects Of Using Recycled Plastics In Toys And Tricycles
May 31, 2023, Times of India
While recycling plastic has become increasingly common, the use of recycled plastics in toys and tricycles is a controversial topic due to potential hazardous effects. A study by the American Chemical Society, recycled plastics can contain harmful chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA). A study by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency found that up to 45% of recycled plastic toys contain high levels of phthalates. According to a study by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 31% of toys made from recycled plastic contained lead, cadmium, or both. This is especially concerning for young children who may put toys in their mouths and ingest these harmful substances.
