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ph365 By Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times A recent study that recommended toxic chemicals in black plastic products be immediately thrown away included a math error that significantly overstated the risks of contamination, but its authors are standing by their conclusions and warn against using such products. Published in the peer-reviewed journal Chemosphere , experts from the nonprofit Toxic-Free Future said they detected flame retardants and other toxic chemicals in 85% of 203 items made of black plastic including kitchen utensils , take-out containers, children’s toys and hair accessories. The study initially said the potential exposure to chemicals found in one of the kitchen utensils approached the minimum levels the Environmental Protection Agency deemed a health risk. But in an update to the study, the authors say they made an error in their calculations and the real levels were “an order of magnitude lower” than the EPA’s thresholds. The error was discovered by Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society in Canada. In a blog post, Schwarcz explained that the Toxin-Free Future scientists miscalculated the lower end of what the EPA considered a health risk through a multiplication error. Instead of humans being potentially exposed to a dose of toxic chemicals in black plastic utensils near the minimum level that the EPA deems a health risk, it’s actually about one-tenth of that. Though Schwarcz said the risks outlined in the study aren’t enough for him to discard his black plastic kitchen items if he had them, he agreed with the authors that flame retardants shouldn’t be in these products in the first place. “The math error does not impact the study’s findings, conclusions or recommendations,” said Megan Liu, a co-author of the study who is the science and policy manager for Toxic-Free Future . She added that any traces of flame retardants or toxic chemicals in cooking utensils should be concerning for the public. Flame retardants are getting into commonly used items because black-colored products are being made from recycled electronic waste, such as discarded television sets and computers, that frequently contain the additives. When they’re heated, the flame retardants and other toxic chemicals can migrate out. If you’re wondering whether your old black plastic spoon or other utensils are a part of this group, Liu shared some more guidance. It’s nearly impossible to know whether a black plastic product is contaminated. That’s because these products that include recycled e-waste don’t disclose a detailed list of all ingredients and contaminants in the product. Liu said it’s also unclear how many types of flame retardants are in these black plastic products. Some of the products that researchers tested in this recent study “had up to nine different harmful chemicals and harmful flame retardants in them,” she said. Anytime you’re looking for the type of recycled plastic a product is made of you’re going to look for a number within the chasing arrows (that form a triangle) logo. Recycling symbols are numbered 1 to 7 and we commonly associate the numbers with what we can toss in our blue recycling bins. The 1 through 7 numbers stand for, respectively, polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene or Styrofoam, and miscellaneous plastics (including polycarbonate, polylactide, acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene, styrene, fiberglass and nylon). The study found higher levels of toxic flame retardants in polystyrene plastic, which is labeled with the number 6, said Liu. There isn’t a definitively timeline of when recycled electronic-waste started to be incorporated into black plastic products specifically, but e-waste started to get recycled in the early 2000s, Liu said. The way computers, cellphones, stereos, printers and copiers were being disposed of previously was to simply add them to a landfill without reusing salvageable parts. But as the National Conference of State Legislatures notes, electronics production required a significant amount of resources that could be recovered through recycling. Recovering resources such as metals, plastics and glass through recycling used a fraction of the energy needed to mine new materials. However, the study pointed out that flame retardants and other chemical contaminates have been detected in and near e-waste recycling facilities, in indoor air and dust at formal e-waste recycling facilities in Canada, China, Spain and the U.S. It also noted contamination in soil samples surrounding e-waste recycling sites in China and Vietnam. The safest nontoxic material options for kitchen utensil are wood and stainless steel. ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Montpellier heaps further pressure onto Racing 92 after Top 14 winHigh school recruiting isn't the only way to build a winner in the transfer portal era

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Stakeholders and experts in international higher education have stated that global education and international collaboration are vital to Africa’s sustainable development and future for work. The stakeholders made this known on Wednesday in Lagos during the three-day maiden edition of The International Education (TINE) Africa Changemakers Conference with the theme: ‘Global education, sustainable development and the future of work for Africans’. The director of Laprinxo Consult and conference convener, Prince Louis Adekola, stated that TINE Africa, founded last year, is a platform for people and organisations working in the international higher education sector. Adekola said the conference is designed to bring visionary leaders, young innovators, entrepreneurs, professionals, and students to proffer relevant and sustainable solutions to Africa’s pressing challenges. He further said the conference seeks to address what Africans want from global education, how international education institutions can support African students in the diaspora, and how global education can impact sustainable development in Africa. “Focused on fostering intellectual dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge sharing, the conference highlights key areas such as sustainable development, technology, education, climate action, and economic empowerment. “It aims to inspire changemakers with the tools to drive social impact and transformation in their communities,” he said. According to Adekola, the second day of the conference (Thursday) is mostly for industry stakeholders and organisations in the local and international higher education sector to collaborate and share ideas on bridging the gaps in serving and supporting people who need their service. He added that the last day (Friday) is the award event for honouring people who work in the global higher education sector in Nigeria and globally. Debola Deji-Kurunmi, founder of Immerse Coaching Company, focused her keynote speech titled ‘Preparing and thriving as an African in the global job market’ on actionable strategies for leveraging Africa’s rich diversity, resilience, and innovation to succeed locally and internationally. Her speech stressed the importance of education and skills development, highlighting the need to combine formal education with industry-relevant digital and soft skills. On the other hand, she addressed the challenges and barriers that hinder Africans from leveraging global opportunities, such as international scholarships, diaspora networks, and mentorships. Deji-Kurunmi stated that with the growing population of Nigerian and African youth, they are positioned to excel in the global job market. She emphasised that in this decade of dynamism, talent is bankable. She added that raw talent ─ well packaged, either meeting a need or activating a sense of desire or happiness ─ is rewarded significantly with financial and non-financial currencies. Concluding her speech, she said, “Education will show you the system with which you can channel your gifts, ideas, and energy. And the power of international education makes a difference.” The first panel session ‘Between the SDGs and Agenda 2063: African youths as catalysts for transformational development’ had executive director, YouthxYouth, Erioluwa Adeyinka; founder, Oak and Teak Foundation, Morenike Molehin; and country director, Enactus Nigeria, Michael Ajayi, as panellists, and moderated by actor and filmmaker, Imoh Eboh. The second panel ‘Leveraging international education in preparing Africans for the fourth Industrial Revolution’ had founder and CEO, Edward Consulting, Bimpe Femi-Oyewo; and Chevening programme and communications officer, Boma Amieyeofori as panellists, and was moderated by the regional manager, Colorado State University, Opeyemi Adetola. The last panel ‘Building a sustainable Africa through climate education, strategic action, and collaboration efforts’ had founder, Durian Nigeria, Tony Joy; founder, Ecotutu, Babajide Oluwase; and TINE Africa convener, Louis Adekola as panellists, and was moderated by communications officer, TINE Africa, Diwura Williams. The TINE Awards ─ given to outstanding individuals, universities, and education consulting firms ─ were in the following categories: Best Agency of the Year Award (West and Central Africa), Best Agency of the Year Award (East and Southern Africa), Agent Aggregator of the Year Award, Digitally Excellent Agency Award, Most Ingenious Agency Award, New Agency of the Year Award, Best Counsellor of the Year Award (Male), and Best Counsellor of the Year Award (Female). Other categories of the awards were: Next Rated Counsellor of the Year Award, International Representative of the Year (Male), International Representative of the Year (Female), Next Rated International Representative of the Year Award, Best International Students Support Award, Most Impactful Overseas University Award, Most International University (Western Africa), Most International University (Eastern Africa), Most International University (Northern Africa), Most International University (Southern Africa), International School of the Year Award, and Pathway Provider of the Year Award. NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

Arsenal up to second after Kai Havertz goal sees off struggling IpswichCurt Cignetti and the No. 5 Indiana Hoosiers will face off against the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on Saturday afternoon. If Cignetti and the undefeated, 10-0 Hoosiers notch yet another win over the home-team Buckeyes, they'll punch their ticket to the Big Ten Championship game against the No. 1 Oregon Ducks. No one expected Indiana to be this good at this point in the 2024 season — except for Cignetti himself. Cignetti was hired as the Hoosiers' head coach just days before the 2023 Big Ten Championship game. In a TV appearance with the Big Ten Network before this title contest, Cignetti dropped a bold prediction for his Indiana team in Year 1. "I figured I had to make this trip up here since we'll be playing in this game next year," Cignetti said. Indiana is just one win away from making this prediction a reality. Cignetti's bold prediction is resurfacing on social media before Saturday's crucial, top-5 matchup against Ohio State. I've never seen someone back their words up like Curt Cignetti. On the eve of the biggest game in program history, a win that would place IU in the B10 Championship game vs Oregon, his words on Day 1 after being named #iufb Head Coach: "I figured I had to make this trip up... pic.twitter.com/m5DkwSragy Though Cignetti and the Hoosiers have strung together 10 impressive wins, they've yet to face off against a ranked opponent this season. Saturday's matchup against No. 2 Ohio State will be the team's first chance to truly prove itself as a legitimate College Football Playoff contender. Following Indiana's 10-0 start, the program signed Cignetti to an 8-year contract extension. © Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Ryan Day and the home-team Buckeyes are favored by 10 points over the visiting Hoosiers. Saturday's game will kickoff at noon EST on Fox.