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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 , experts from the nonprofit Toxic-Free Future said they detected flame retardants and other toxic chemicals in 85% of 203 items made of , 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. Related Articles 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 . 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 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.Crane Rail Market 2024 Industry Insights, Business Growth, Trends And Forecast To 2033
Enugu Communal Crisis: IGP urged to halt harassment of lawyer, six othersThe World Bank's report, developed under the Food Systems, Land Use, and Restoration Impact Program (FOLUR) and led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), highlights the central role of rice in global food security and sustainability. As a staple for 3.5 billion people and the primary source of livelihoods for 1.5 billion individuals most of them smallholders in Asia and the Pacific rice is critical to the global food system. However, rice cultivation is associated with significant environmental challenges, including its contribution to 12% of human-induced methane emissions, extensive freshwater use, and the degradation of wetlands. Addressing these issues requires a coordinated approach by key stakeholders such as the IFC, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), and private sector collaborators to promote sustainable practices and implement climate-smart solutions. The Environmental Costs of Feeding Billions Traditional rice farming practices come with substantial environmental trade-offs. Continuous flooding of rice paddies, for instance, creates ideal conditions for methane-producing bacteria, making rice one of the largest agricultural sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, rice farming accounts for up to 30% of global freshwater withdrawals and 15% of wetlands worldwide. The extensive use of fertilizers and pesticides contributes to contamination risks, with residues frequently exceeding safety limits in some regions. Despite these challenges, rice remains indispensable for food security and economic stability. To mitigate its environmental impact, the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) has developed comprehensive standards for sustainable rice cultivation. The SRP Assurance Scheme, introduced in 2020, verifies compliance with these standards but has yet to achieve significant scale, with only 0.04% of global rice production certified. Bridging the Gap: Investments in Sustainable Practices The IFC has been instrumental in supporting sustainable rice cultivation through investments and capacity-building initiatives. Projects in countries like Bangladesh and Cambodia focus on building infrastructure, such as automated rice mills, and providing financial tools to smallholder farmers. In Senegal and Ghana, innovative warehouse-receipt systems allow farmers to use stored rice as collateral for loans, offering a lifeline for those without traditional access to credit. The IFC’s Global Trade Supplier Finance program takes these efforts further by offering sustainability-linked loans, with interest rates tied to environmental and social performance. While these initiatives are promising, adoption remains slow, partly due to high costs associated with implementing SRP standards. Farmers face expenses for training, audits, and field management, which are not always offset by price premiums in the market. Unlocking Market Potential for Sustainable Rice One of the most pressing challenges is scaling the demand for SRP-verified rice. While global retailers like Lidl and Kaufland have introduced products with SRP labels, consumer awareness and demand remain limited. Market share for sustainable rice is negligible, with only a fraction of production meeting SRP standards. To address this, the SRP is collaborating with partners like Gold Standard to develop a Low Carbon Assurance Module. This initiative aims to quantify greenhouse gas reductions, creating opportunities for farmers to access climate finance through carbon credits. Such innovations could make sustainable practices financially viable and incentivize broader adoption. High-value markets like Europe are particularly promising, but challenges remain in ensuring cost-effective verification and building supply chain resilience. Beyond the Environment: Social and Food Safety Challenges Sustainability in rice farming extends beyond environmental concerns to include critical social and food safety issues. Labor practices in rice production often involve child labor and unsafe working conditions, as documented in countries like India and Cambodia. Addressing these issues requires integrating robust social safeguards into sustainability standards and strengthening enforcement mechanisms. Food safety is another pressing concern, with aflatoxin contamination and heavy metal accumulation posing health risks to consumers. Comprehensive traceability systems and adherence to international safety standards are essential to mitigating these risks. The SRP’s ongoing efforts to integrate social and food safety criteria into its standards underscore the need for a holistic approach to sustainability. A Vision for Scaling Sustainability in Rice Farming Despite its challenges, the SRP represents a critical step toward transforming the rice sector. Collaboration with multinational corporations such as Mars and Olam, alongside local farmer cooperatives, has helped implement SRP standards across several countries. Strategic partnerships with governments and financial institutions are crucial to mainstreaming these tools into national policies and expanding their reach. Innovative financing models, such as sustainable rice bonds and digital platforms, also hold promise for supporting the transition to climate-smart farming practices. The report emphasizes that achieving sustainability in the rice sector is vital not only for food security but also for meeting global climate goals. With concerted efforts from governments, private sector actors, and development organizations, the rice sector can serve as a model for integrating environmental, social, and economic priorities. By aligning incentives and scaling sustainable practices, the rice sector holds immense potential to contribute to a more resilient and equitable global food system. While adoption of sustainable practices remains limited, the benefits including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved farmer livelihoods, and enhanced food safety are undeniable. The journey toward sustainable rice farming is complex but essential, requiring innovative solutions, collaborative approaches, and a shared commitment to creating a better future for all.
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