By CHRIS MELORE, ASSISTANT SCIENCE EDITOR FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
A massive recall has been issued for thousands of frozen hash browns after plastic pieces were found in the breakfast favorite
The US Food and Drug Administration said that 34,801 cases of Lamb Weston oval-shaped frozen hash browns have been affected by the recall
adding that the packages were distributed in the US and around several other countries
In total, the FDA said that over 730,000 pounds of frozen hash browns may have plastic pieces in them
measuring anywhere from one to eight millimeters - ranging from the size of a grain of sand to the size of pencil eraser
The widespread recall includes cases with the item number M7204 and a global trade item number (GTIN) of 10044979923813
item number M0053 and a GTIN of 50195500004896
and item number M7422 and GTIN 10044979922687
The FDA designated the health warning as a Class II recall on Friday
meaning that the plastic pieces could cause physical harm and short-term medical problems if ingested
If someone were to swallow the largest pieces of plastic lodged in these breakfast patties
they could choke or potentially suffer internal injuries if the pieces are sharp or jagged
Lamb Weston told DailyMail.com Monday that they are confident the affected products have not reached customers and does not pose a threat to the public
The FDA recall of Lamb Weston's hash browns affects over 730,000 pounds of frozen potato products
which were sent to 2 states and 4 countries outside the US
The plastic pieces range in size from one to eight millimeters
making the largest pieces as big as a pea or pencil eraser
and food service distributors in over 100 countries with frozen potato products
They're North America's largest frozen potato product manufacturer and also one of the largest suppliers for fast food titan McDonald's
a Lamb Weston spokesperson said: 'There is no product at the consumer level currently; therefore
'Lamb Weston initiated the recall in an abundance of caution after potential foreign material was identified through X-ray testing
part of our enhanced food safety and quality efforts,' the spokesperson told DailyMail.com
the majority of product was still in Lamb Weston's control and distributors have already confirmed compliance with the recall order,' they added
shipments to McDonald's accounted for approximately 14 percent of Lamb Weston's sales - making the fast food chain their biggest customer
It's unknown if any of the contaminated hash brown cases were shipped to McDonald's restaurants in Arizona and Hawaii
but the potato supplier noted that all of their clients were informed about the recall
The Idaho-based frozen foods company has already been having difficulties with their biggest client over the last year
In October 2024, Lamb Weston closed their production plant in Connell, Washington and laid off four percent of their workforce because of a reported drop in the demand for large orders of French fries
While McDonald's may be famous for their fries, the nationwide rise in food prices forced the fast food giant to introduce cheaper meal options, many of which included a small fry instead of a large or medium
Lamb Weston president and CEO Thomas Werner said in October: 'Many of these promotional meal deals have consumers trading down from a medium fry to a small fry.'
'Consumers trading down in serving size acts as a partial headwinds for our volumes,' he added
noting that Lamb Weston expected the demand for their frozen potato products to remain weaker than usual in 2025
meaning that the plastic pieces could cause physical harm if ingested
Lamb Weston's clients also reportedly include fast food giants Burger King
and Wendy's - with the company primarily sending fries to these chains
This isn't the first major recall involving Lamb Weston
over one million pounds of their Alexia Organic seasoned hash browns were recalled due to a listeria contamination
meaning that people eating the contaminated hashed browns could have potentially died from the infection
Those potatoes were also sold nationwide in the US and throughout East Asia and the Middle East
The company also had problems with their hash browns in 2018 and 2019
Both recalls involved the same issue plaguing Lamb Weston now - foreign objects in the food
over 8,000 cases of the firm's hash brown patties had to be pulled due to fragments of hard
Along with concerns about Lamb Weston's frozen potato products, a bombshell interview with the company's employees revealed that many also have fears for their own safety on the job
Speaking with non-profit news media organization More Perfect Union in 2022
several Lamb Weston whistleblowers accused the company of extremely harsh working conditions which led to severe injuries
One employee claimed the demanding schedule
including multiple 12-hour shifts and scheduled overtime days
Lamb Weston worker Guadalupe Wilcox said: 'I do fear for my safety at work.'
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CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Candle holders sold at a popular clothing store were recalled due to an ironic fire hazard that could cause the product to burst into flames
Nicholas Square Christmas Tea Light Candle Holders sold at Kohls were recalled because "the tea light candle holder can catch on fire
posing a fire and burn hazard," according to the recall from the Consumer Product Safety Commission
The candle holders look like a brown Christmas tree made of plastic horseshoes and with a gold star on top
They were sold at Kohls locations across the country and online from September 2024 through April 2025
Kohls said it received two reports of the holder catching fire
Those who purchased the product were instructed to stop using the holders and return it to Kohls for a full refund
More information can be found on the CPSC's recall website.
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An estimated 105 units of the product were sold in Canada
but no incidents or injuries were reported as of Monday
All infant self-feeding devices are banned in Canada
Health Canada is warning consumers against using banned devices which let infants feed themselves unattended over choking and aspiration hazards
The self-feeding contraption is designed to keep a baby bottle nipple in an infant’s mouth or support the bottle by placing it on top of or next to the baby so the infant doesn’t need to hold it
The product was sold on Amazon.ca under the name
“Bottle Holder for Baby Self Feeding
Twin Baby Essentials baby Bottle Holder Hands Free for Mam
Adjustable Baby Bottle Breastfeeding Must Haves” from the brand LQR
The device can make it difficult for the infant to stop feeding due to their placement or because they’re designed to let the infant feed from them before they’ve developed the muscles needed to hold the bottle themselves
“This product poses a choking or aspiration hazard to the infants using them, which can end in illness or death from aspirating the feeding liquid,” Health Canada says
infants regurgitate small amounts of liquid food; therefore
they should be monitored at all times while feeding.”
Amazon.ca reported 105 units of the product were sold in Canada
but no incidents or injuries were reported to Health Canada as of Monday.
Anyone who bought one of the devices should stop using it immediately and throw it out. The product has also been removed from Amazon.ca for sale in Canada
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By Tyler HoskinsPublished: May
2025 at 7:54 PM CDTEmail This LinkShare on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInCOLLEGE STATION
Texas (KBTX) - College Station police are warning of several road closures and hazards as storms sweep through the city and the Brazos Valley Friday evening
Road closures and hazards have been reported on the following and these areas should be avoided:
Police suggest being cautious in these areas and avoiding travel if possible
They also wanted to remind every to never drive through flooded roadways
By stracy@sonomacity.org
The City of Sonoma is moving forward with adopting the Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) map
which designates areas based on their level of wildfire risk
This map is required under Government Code Section 51179 and has been reviewed in partnership with the Sonoma Valley Fire District (SVFD) and CalFire
The updated FHSZ map is now scheduled for approval during the May 7
where it will appear on the Consent Calendar
Watch Live Stream: Available via CivicWeb and YouTube Channel
If you would like to provide public comment, please use the Public Comment form on the CivicWeb Portal or speak during the Public Comment period for Consent Calendar items at the meeting
or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones based on fire risk factors such as fire history
incorporating feedback and modifications by the Sonoma Valley Fire District
will help streamline fire hazard zone designations and clarify regulations for affected properties
New requirements will apply to properties within High and Very High zones
including building code changes and defensible space landscaping for properties in the Very High zone
Staff is working on providing additional educational resources to inform the public about the new fire safety requirements and regulations
For more details on the FHSZ map, please visit the City’s FHSZ Page
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Nicholas Square Christmas Tea Light Candle Holders
Hazard: The tea light candle holder can catch on fire
Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics
Consumer Contact: Kohl’s toll-free at 855-564-5705 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT Monday through Saturday, or online at www.kohls.com/faq/article/1013?icid=ft-customer-recalls or www.kohls.com and click on “Recalls” on the bottom of the page for more information.
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Governor Beshear has renewed his request for federal help to deal with hazard mitigation for the entire state. Hazard mitigation is often referred to as the FEMA Buyout Program. This is where FEMA can offer to purchase the land of someone who has been flooded multiple times so they can move to a safer location.
During a press conference, Governor Beshear said this program has helped many Kentuckians since the 2022 floods.
“You look at mitigation dollars thus far, have covered the buyout of over 500 homes from the 2022 floods, the July 2022 floods. Those 500 homes are in Knott, Perry, Breathitt, Letcher, and Floyd Counties and the city of Jackson in Breathitt.”
The governor said these hazard mitigation funds have plenty of other uses too.
“These dollars also bought hundreds of generators which keep critical government services operating during power failures. So, we're committed to seeking those dollars as well, and we hope we can get a reconsideration from the federal government.”
The governor says those funds have also helped build over 100 safe rooms. Those are shelters to help protect Kentuckians in the areas hit often by tornados.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has extended its National Emphasis Program on Outdoor and Indoor Heat-Related Hazards (NEP) to April 8
This extension allows OSHA to continue its efforts in identifying and addressing heat-related injuries and illnesses in workplaces
The NEP enforcement initiative targets industries and workplaces — both indoor and outdoor — where workers are at increased risk of heat-related illnesses
OSHA launched the NEP in 2022 in response to rising rates of heat-related injuries and fatalities and as part of a broader initiative to address the effects of climate change on worker safety
The NEP directs OSHA compliance safety and health officers to proactively conduct inspections and provide outreach to employers in high-risk industries
OSHA says its review of the NEP determined the program was successful in identifying
and providing outreach and compliance assistance to indoor and outdoor workplaces with heat-related hazards
OSHA says it helped protect nearly 1,400 employees from ongoing exposure to hazardous heat conditions
the agency conducted approximately 7,000 heat-related inspections
and issued 1,392 Hazard Alert Letters to employers
This is a significant increase compared to data collected between 2015 and 2020
The extension of the NEP reinforces OSHA’s long-term commitment to addressing heat hazards in the workplace
Regional offices and OSHA-approved State Plan Programs will continue to conduct programmed and unprogrammed inspections
with a particular emphasis on fatality inspections and complaints or referrals that allege potential heat-related hazards
compliance support and outreach efforts are also extended
Employers should take this opportunity to review their workplace safety programs and ensure they have a comprehensive heat illness prevention program in place
While OSHA is still working on a proposed federal heat plan
many State Plan States have already created a heat illness standard or are in the process of promulgating state-specific heat standards
The NEP provides a framework that companies can use to help plan across the country
Proactively implementing or updating your heat safety program can reduce risks
and prepare your workplace for potential OSHA inspections
To understand how OSHA’s directive might affect your organization
contact a Jackson Lewis attorney for insights and guidance
This material is provided for informational purposes only
It is not intended to constitute legal advice nor does it create a client-lawyer relationship between Jackson Lewis and any recipient
Recipients should consult with counsel before taking any actions based on the information contained within this material
This material may be considered attorney advertising in some jurisdictions
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome
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Hazard: The ball joint connected to the front suspension arm can loosen and separate from the front suspension arm
resulting in the driver losing wheel support of the utility vehicle
Description: This recall involves Kubota Utility Vehicles under the “RTV-series.” The chart below identifies the models and serial number ranges of the recalled products
The model numbers can be found on the side of the utility vehicle
The serial numbers can be generally found on the left side
The plate is facing backwards where the bed meets the cab
The utility vehicles were sold in various colors
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e-mail us at jjones@hazard-herald.com or call us at 1-606-436-5771
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s decision to end its Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program has town officials in Whately and Colrain going back to the drawing board to figure out how to fund hazard mitigation work in their communities
Both Colrain’s plans to apply for roughly $30,000 to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan
as well as Whately’s existing application for $63,750 in BRIC funding to pay for flooding mitigation on Christian Lane
and then a week or two before we were supposed to take the next step
we got a notice that the BRIC funding had been taken back,” Colrain Town Administrator Diana Parsons said
“We need to probably circle up with our emergency management director and see if there’s other funding available.”
announced that it was ending the BRIC program
which provided grants for municipalities to plan long-term hazard mitigation projects
FEMA attributed the cuts — which totaled $882 million nationally — to choices made by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem
(FEMA became part of the Department of Homeland Security in 2003
according to FEMA’s website.) It also stated that allocated
funds will be “immediately returned” either to FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund or the U.S
“The BRIC program was yet another example of a wasteful and ineffective FEMA program
It was more concerned with political agendas than helping Americans affected by natural disasters,” FEMA wrote
we are committed to ensuring that Americans in crisis can get the help and resources they need.”
Of the $882 million in disaster prevention aid that was eliminated nationwide
Massachusetts saw roughly $90 million in cuts spanning 18 communities as well as a Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission
the Department of Conservation and Recreation
and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
will see a nearly $2.85 million cut and DCR will face nearly $12.48 million in cuts to projects that include the Tenean Beach and Conley Street Resilient Waterfront Project in Boston
she will pursue possible funding alternatives from the state
She noted that having an up-to-date Hazard Mitigation Plan is one of FEMA’s requirements for disaster relief eligibility
Colrain’s existing Hazard Mitigation Plan was approved by FEMA in 2020 and it expires in November 2025
“The town might just have to try to work on updating it ourselves
because I don’t know how it’s going to work with FEMA anymore,” Parsons said
“Who knows what changes we’re going to see on the federal level?”
the town applied for flooding mitigation funding on behalf of Christian Lane resident Jeff Kocot — who testified to the Selectboard in 2023 that stormwater frequently floods his yard
Former Whately Town Administrator Brian Domina previously said the clay pipes on the northern side of Christian Lane have been infiltrated by tree roots
“It’s unfortunate that that funding has been lost,” Whately’s current town administrator
“It was going to be used to investigate stormwater issues in one particular neighborhood.”
Kane added that the town will likely be responsible for the process of mitigating the Christian Lane flooding issues — a task that he expects will be costly
Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429
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ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – A popular kitchen item has been recalled for burn hazards
SharkNinja’s Ninja Foodi OP300 Series Multi-Function Pressure Cookers have been pulled from shelves because the lid can come off while cooking
The 6.5-quart unit came in black and features a pressure cooker and an air fryer
The recall applies to all models in the OP300 Series
as described below.adButlerLazyLoad("90193790369568336",100,["728510","728510","728510"],"177036");
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
the company has received 106 reports of injuries
including more than 50 people claiming second- or third-degree burns to the face or body
Over 1.8 million units were sold in stores and online from January 2019 through March 2025 at Walmart
Consumers are advised to discontinue using the pressure cooker function and contact SharkNinja for a free replacement lid.adButlerLazyLoad("197134415188890262",100,["728510","728510","728510"],"177036");
Affected Models – Sold January 2019 – March 2025
Call SharkNinja at (888)-370-1733 from 9 a.m
NY (607NewsNow) — A charge of burglary against an Ithaca man
NY (607NewsNow) – There’s a new superintendent of schools in Newfield
NY (607NewsNow) — There’s a school budget hearing tonight in Cortland
NY (607NewsNow) – The Ithaca College community is rallying around a program on […]
Rapper Gunna has replaced Kehlani as Cornell’s Slope Day headliner
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Question: We are getting more requests by owners to install electric vehicle chargers in their deeded parking spots in our indoor garage
Our town fire marshall recently explained at our board meeting that the chargers and vehicles present a fire risk and that the fire cannot be extinguished
We now have two charging stations on our outdoor parking deck which are available to owners
Why does Florida Statute 718 mandate that our condo must allow the installation of EV chargers which create a risk of fire in our building
I have recently brought this to the attention of our State representative
there is a balance between different groups and different interests
There are even professionals called lobbyists whose entire job is to influence public officials on behalf of their clients
particularly when it comes to passing (or rejecting) new legislation
The law requiring condominiums to allow owners to install electric vehicle chargers in their limited common element parking spaces expressly describes that the legislature wanted to promote electric vehicle use
It says that “the Legislature finds that the use of electric and natural gas fuel vehicles conserves and protects the state’s environmental resources
provides significant economic savings to drivers
The participation of condominium associations is essential to the state’s efforts to conserve and protect the state’s environmental resources and provide economic savings to drivers.”
that’s the official stated reason for the law
though it ignores the question of EV safety or the risk of fire
While I don’t know the actual specifics of how this law came to be
I can tell you from experience that there’s lots of possibilities
including lobbying by electric vehicle companies
electric utilities and charger installation companies
Or maybe this law was pushed by a legislator who heard a story about a friend who was denied the right to charge their electric vehicle in their condominium
and they decided this was a problem they needed to solve
it could have even been something that happened to a legislator
and the competing interests couldn’t push hard enough to stop the law from coming into effect
they need somewhere to charge them — it’s a necessary evil
is that a tragedy could occur one day that completely changes the calculation
Let’s say for example there is an electric vehicle fire caused by a charger in an owner’s parking space
and that the fire causes serious damage to a condominium building
There would then be a push to make changes to the law to protect these buildings and the lives of residents
and that may even end up reversing the law entirely (or perhaps providing that chargers can only be installed outdoors
or only a certain distance from the primary building)
This wouldn’t reduce the risk from the vehicles themselves
but it would greatly reduce the primary fire risk
It’s unfortunate that it often takes a newsworthy event to lead to broad legislative changes like this
You reasonably brought this issue to the attention of your legislator — but unless the firefighters get involved in an aggressive lobbying effort to change the law
or unless something terrible were to happen that makes the legislature totally rethink the relative value of electric vehicles (and I will clarify that I am not in any way disparaging EVs — I own one myself)
Question: Our condominium board has instituted a new policy of background checks for new purchasers
Since there is nothing in our governing documents that addresses background checks
Your governing documents may provide that the association has the right to require whatever documents it needs to approve or reject rentals or sales; and if it does
it’s likely that requiring a background check would be found a reasonable part of that process
If your governing documents do not allow the board to reject tenants or owners
the question would become whether the background check rule is reasonable
If the board has no power to reject a lease or sale
what exactly are they doing with the background check information
In that situation I question whether an arbitrator or court would find such a requirement reasonable
as there’s no obvious purpose to conducting the background check
Ryan Poliakoff, a partner at Poliakoff Backer, LLP, is a Board Certified specialist in condominium and planned development law. This column is dedicated to the memory of Gary Poliakoff. Ryan Poliakoff and Gary Poliakoff are co-authors of "New Neighborhoods — The Consumer’s Guide to Condominium, Co-Op and HOA Living." Email your questions to condocolumn@gmail.com
after 106 incidents of burn injuries were reported
including more than 50 cases involving second- and third-degree burns to the face and body
According to a written statement from the company
the hazard stems from a defect that allows the pressure-cooking lid to be opened during use
which can cause hot contents to escape and pose a burn risk to consumers
The recall includes several models in the OP300 series: OP300
These models were sold in black and feature a 6.5-quart capacity
The word “Ninja” is printed on the front of the unit and the product label
An example unit labeled “OP301 I07” is part of the OP301 model included in the recall
Any OP300 series replacement pressure cooker lids sold as separate accessories are also included
Consumers are urged to stop using the pressure-cooking function immediately and contact SharkNinja to receive a free replacement lid
the air frying and other cooking functions are still safe to use
The affected units were sold from January 2019 through March 2025 for around $200 at major retailers including Walmart
About 1,846,400 units were sold in the United States
with an additional 184,240 units distributed in Canada
The recalled products were manufactured in China
Consumers can contact SharkNinja toll-free at 888-370-1733 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Saturday, or by email at sharkninja@rqa-inc.com. Additional information is available online at www.ninjakitchen.com or www.rqa-inc.com/client/SharkNinja
Consumer Product Safety Commission has assigned recall number 25-247 to this incident
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Studies on how workplace exposure to chemicals like formaldehyde and phthalates may harm reproductive health
an investigation into a possible cancer cluster at a state university
the only national program tracking blood lead levels in adults
These are among the many casualties of the Trump administration's decision to level a research agency that has devoted much of its energy over the past five decades to reducing people's exposure to harmful chemicals and other dangerous conditions in the workplace
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
is expected to lose upwards of 900 employees — the vast majority of its staff — by early July as a result of the mass firings carried out by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F
"It's been almost destroyed," says Dr. Robert Harrison
who directs the Occupational Health Services at the University of California San Francisco
part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
which touches on many industries and potential hazards
Only a few pieces of the agency will be left, including the World Trade Center Health Program, and even those may be hampered by the personnel cuts. The impact on firefighters and coal miners has already provoked strong backlash
even from some within the Republican party
leading to a small number of employees being told to return to work
But the fallout will extend well beyond a few industries
NPR interviewed a dozen NIOSH staff whose positions are being eliminated
NPR is not using their names because they are still employed and not authorized to speak to the press
They stress the agency is instrumental in funding and advancing research on carcinogens and other dangerous substances — a concern that Secretary Kennedy and President Trump have brought up repeatedly in their pitch to "Make America Healthy Again."
"The irony is what we do at NIOSH is focus on preventing chronic disease and getting rid of toxins," said one senior scientist
physicians and others at the agency work directly with industries in which people can be exposed to high levels of pollutants and other hazards
identifying substances that may also pose a risk to the general public
"If we are not evaluating emerging chemicals
we are going to see the health consequences
maybe 10 or 20 years from now," another scientist told NPR
A statement from the Department of Health and Human Services explains that NIOSH will eventually join the newly created Administration for a Healthy America and that "critical initiatives under NIOSH will remain intact" as the "agency continues to streamline its operations."
That's far from what staff at NIOSH describe
They say the wholesale elimination of entire teams and programs has brought many key functions to a standstill and will be difficult to revive
A database that tracks cancer in firefighters has stopped enrollment
The team that approves respirators — which assures the equipment can protect against everything from asbestos to airborne pathogens — has been shut down
The staff who green light funding for local health departments and research centers are gone
The agency is no longer responding to requests to conduct on-the-ground investigations of health hazards if there are reports of illness within a workplace or other emerging threats
a NIOSH scientist tells NPR that about 30 of these "health hazard evaluations" will never be completed because of the sudden layoffs — investigations related to concerns about public and worker exposure to mycobacteria
asthma linked to the use of chemical disinfectants in a hospital
"It's all well and good to talk about streamlining the government," says Dr. Philip Landrigan
an epidemiologist and occupational physician at Boston College
Kennedy's new agency is going to be able to protect workers' health after they've let 90% of the subject matter experts go," he says
While most NIOSH employees were notified in early April that they would lose their jobs
some were immediately placed on administrative leave
while others are still waiting to receive the official notices
Catherine Blackwood had spent the past three years investigating potential cardiac and pulmonary consequences of prolonged mold exposure — part of a broader effort to pinpoint signs of mold exposure in contaminated buildings
who worked at the NIOSH facility in Morgantown
Blackwood and other scientists at the agency describe a chaotic shuttering of their research
with seemingly no thought for how to salvage the data or preserve biological samples
Some research animals were donated to other labs
they were euthanized if experiments were already underway
"There wasn't a shutdown — a shutdown implies an orderly procedure," says Kyle Mandler
a pulmonary toxicologist at the Morgantown location
Mandler had been running a laboratory study focused on a spike in lung disease linked to silica dust in the countertop industry
"We were in the middle of working to try and understand what is inherent in the material that was potentially so deadly for these workers," he said
Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency passed a ban on the solvent trichlorethylene
based on research by NIOSH showing a link with liver cancer
"The list goes on and on," says Harrison at UCSF
"I think this will be a devastating loss to our opportunity to prevent cancers in the United States."
And many in the field now fear what will happen to the troves of data amassed by the agency
In the 1980s, Kyle Steenland led a large cohort study on ethylene oxide, a carcinogen that's produced at some chemical manufacturing plants, which is still yielding new data about exposure risks
He says it's just one example of the decades-long studies that have tracked death and illness in thousands of workers exposed to contaminants
whether they'll disappear altogether," says Steenland
an epidemiologist who's now retired from NIOSH
"This is taking a scalpel to a very useful and relatively cheap agency."
The cuts also represent a crisis for the broader field
University centers are bracing to lose their funding
which could sever the pipeline of scientists and physicians who specialize in occupational health and environmental toxicology
State health departments have the same fears
They depend on federal dollars from the agency to track and respond to workplace hazards like lead poisoning
there's no backstop," one state health official who's not authorized to speak with the media told NPR
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San Bernardino County residents are encouraged to review and provide feedback on the recently released Fire Hazard Severity Zone map from the California Office of the State Fire Marshal
This updated map categorizes county areas into three wildfire risk levels—moderate
high and very high—in alignment with SB 63 (2021)
The previous Fire Hazard Severity Zone map was last updated between 2008 and 2011 and identified only very high fire hazard zones in local responsibility areas
The new map includes all three fire hazard risk levels
helping residents gain a clearer understanding of wildfire threats in their communities
Fire Hazard Severity Zone ratings are based on a range of factors
potential fire behavior under extreme weather
and anticipated weather patterns over the next 50 years
the ratings account for flame and ember intrusion from nearby wildlands and flammable vegetation within urban areas
offering a more localized evaluation of wildfire risk
While local governments cannot lower the state-assigned fire hazard risk ratings
they may choose to increase ratings if local conditions warrant
These ratings guide important safety regulations
including California’s Wildland Urban Interface building codes
New buildings in high and very high-risk zones must follow enhanced safety construction standards
and property owners must maintain defensible space by clearing vegetation to reduce wildfire risk
The public comment period for the new Fire Hazard Severity Zone map ends on April 30
The county will hold public hearings and ordinance readings before the formal adoption of the Fire Hazard Severity Zone map by the Board of Supervisors on June 10
To learn more about the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map and submit public comment, visit sbcfire.org/fire-hazard-severity-zone-map
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These products create an unsafe sleeping environment for infants and can cause death or serious injury to infants
the swings violate the mandatory federal regulations for consumer products containing button cell and coin batteries
The remote controls for the swings contain a lithium coin battery and the products do not bear the warning labels required under Reese's Law
If button cell or coin batteries are swallowed
the ingested batteries can cause serious injuries
CPSC issued a Notice of Violation to the seller
Elephtt-baby has not agreed to recall these infant swings or offer a remedy to consumers
About 2,500 infant swings were sold online at Amazon.com for about $90
The swings are labeled with model RS003 and have a white base
The cloth around the seat is dark or light gray with white "coolbaby" brand label on the base and in embroidery on the restraints
CPSC urges consumers to stop using the infant swings immediately and dispose of them
Button cell and coin batteries are hazardous
The battery in the remotes should be disposed of or recycled following local hazardous waste procedures
Do not sell or give away these hazardous infant swings
Report any incidents involving injury or product defect to CPSC at www.SaferProducts.gov
Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products
and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually
Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago
it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products
which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC
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It was reviewed by editors before publication
The recall follows 106 reports of burn injuries
including 50 second- or third-degree burns
which have resulted in at least 26 lawsuits
The recall affects all models within the Ninja Foodi OP300 Series
a multi-function appliances that serve as pressure cookers
available in black with a 6.5-quart capacity
were sold nationwide at major retailers in-stores and online including Walmart
Each unit is marked with "Ninja" on the front
An additional code following the model number does not alter the model designation
a unit labeled “OP301 I07” is a model OP301 unit
Any OP300 series replacement pressure cooker lids purchased as an additional part are also included in this recall
SharkNinja advises consumers to immediately stop using the pressure-cooking function and contact them for a free replacement lid
These pressure cookers were manufactured in China and imported by SharkNinja Operating LLC
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We asked two chefs and a baker what to use instead
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