Current Events in July 2019

As many consumers work to buy more environmentally friendly and consumer-friendly, products, researchers from The Endocrine Society have determined how common chemicals could be affecting negatively affecting children’s development. 

The study revealed that exposure to bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF) can increase children’s likelihood of becoming obese. 

“This research is significant because exposure to these chemicals is very common in the United States,” said researcher Melanie Jacobson, PhD. “BPS and BPF use is growing because manufacturers are replacing BPA with these chemicals, so that is contributing to the frequency of exposure.” 

Understanding exposure

Many common household products -- such as plastic water bottles, dishwares, and even canned foods and drinks -- are contaminated with BPS and BPF, so the researchers set out to see how this can affect young consumers. 

Bisphenol A (BPA) has slowly been phased out of many of these popular products in favor of BPF and BPS. Researchers previously discovered some of the adverse health effects that come from exposure to these chemicals, such as alterations to hormone levels and weight gain. 

“Although diet and exercise are still understood to be the main drivers of obesity, this research suggests that common chemical exposures may also play a role, specifically among children,” said Jacobson. 

Utilizing the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, the researchers were able to get a clearer picture of how BPS and BPF exposure affected children’s body mass indices (BMIs) between the ages of six and 19. The study concluded that children were more likely to develop obesity when they were exposed to higher levels of BPF and BPS, regardless of whether it was through contaminated plastics or receipt paper. 

It’s also interesting for consumers to note that BPA, which many manufacturers have swapped out for BPF and BPS, yielded similar results regarding obesity, prompting an important discussion about the way things are made and what consumers should be aware of moving forward. 

“In a previous study, we found that the predecessor chemical to BPS and BPF -- BPA -- was associated with a higher prevalence [of] obesity in U.S. children, and this study found the same trend among these newer versions of that chemical,” said Jacobson. “Replacing BPA with similar chemicals does nothing to mitigate the harms chemical exposure has on our health.” 

Apple’s notoriously problematic butterfly keyboard will be phased out this year, MacRumors reports. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says the tech giant will introduce a scissor-switch keyboard design starting with its 16-inch MacBook Pro. 

The company unveiled its butterfly keyboard in 2015, advertising it as being “refined for greater comfort and responsiveness” compared to its standard “scissor” design. However, users began noticing that the keyboards tended to malfunction after being exposed to dirt or dust.

Apple acknowledged the issue and tried to fix the problem by introducing several changes, including adding a silicone barrier to keep dust from getting behind keys and using “new materials” in the keyboards’ switch mechanism to improve reliability. 

The tech giant launched a repair program for users who were still experiencing problems, but now it appears that the company is looking to scrap the troublesome keyboard design altogether. 

The new scissor keyboard won’t be as prone to failure from heat, dust, and other small particulates, Kuo said in a previous note to investors seen by MacRumors. Enhanced durability will come by way of glass fibers to reinforce the keys. While it will be thicker than the butterfly keyboard, Kuo believes most users won’t be able to feel the difference.

It is expected to be found on the new MacBook Pro, which will most likely launch in September. Other laptops will get the updated keyboard in 2020. 

Gasoline prices dipped during the last week as Gulf Coast refineries got back to more normal operations after Tropical Storm Barry.

The AAA Fuel Gauge Survey shows the national average price of regular dropped three cents a gallon to $2.75 a gallon. That’s a dime less than one year ago. The average price of premium is $3.32 a gallon, down three cents from a week ago. The average price of diesel fuel is $2.99 a gallon, a penny less than last week.

Prices appeared to be very stable during the week, with most states posting modest declines at the pump. However, Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, reported on Twitter that prices appeared to be rising in parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

Oil prices have been volatile over the past several weeks and now appear headed higher again on news that U.S. oil supplies fell sharply over the previous week. The American Petroleum Institute (API) reported a drop of 10.961 million barrels of U.S. stockpiles for the week ending July 18, much higher than industry analysts expected. 

The states with the most expensive regular gas

These states currently have the highest prices for regular gas, according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Survey:

• California ($3.69)

• Hawaii ($3.66)

• Washington ($3.30)

• Nevada ($3.26)

• Alaska ($3.17)

• Oregon ($3.16)

• Illinois ($3.02)

• Idaho ($2.91)

• Pennsylvania ($2.90)

• Connecticut ($2.88)

The states with the cheapest regular gas

The survey found these states currently have the lowest prices for regular gas:

• Mississippi ($2.37)

• Alabama ($2.40)

• Louisiana ($2.38)

• Arkansas ($2.41)

• South Carolina ($2.43)

• Oklahoma ($2.45)

• Tennessee ($2.49)

• Virginia ($2.50)

• Texas ($2.50)

• Kansas ($2.51)

Acura is recalling 49,898 model year 2016-2019 Acura ILXs.

Excessive grease may prevent the set-ring on the half shaft from fully engaging, allowing the driveshaft to separate from the half shaft.

A separated driveshaft can cause the vehicle to experience a loss of drive or let the vehicle move even while in “Park,” increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

What to do

Acura will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and, as necessary, replace the driveshaft and half shaft free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin July 29, 2019.

Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is G54.

Trek Bicycle Corporation of Waterloo, Wis., is recalling about 13,000 Trek Kickster bikes sold in the U.S., and Canada.

The bike's steer tube clamp can break, posing a fall hazard to children.

The firm has received 11 reports of broken steer tube clamps, including one injury with minor scrapes and bruising.

This recall involves all model year 2013 through 2019 Trek Kicksters made for toddlers who are learning how to ride a two wheeler.

The Kicksters, which do not have pedals so children can focus on balancing, come in black, blue, red and pink with “TREK” written on the crossbar.

The bikes, manufactured in Taiwan, were sold at independent bicycle stores nationwide and online at www.trekbikes.com and other online retailers from August 2012, through April 2019, for about $170.

What to do

Consumers should immediately take the recalled bikes away from children and take them to a Trek retailer for a free repair.

Consumers may contact Trek at (800) 373-4594 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (CT) Monday through Friday, or online at www.trekbikes.com and click on “Safety & recalls” at the bottom of the page for more information.

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling 753 model year 2020 GLE350 4Matics and GLE450 4Matics.

A welding error during production may have resulted in a small hole in the floor, possibly allowing water to leak into the passenger cabin.

Water in the passenger compartment may affect the vehicle's electrical systems, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

What to do

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will seal the affected area free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin August 13, 2019.

Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at (800) 367-6372.

A new study conducted by researchers from Florida Atlantic University shows just how dangerous sleeping time can be for infants. 

The study revealed that cases of infants dying due to accidentally strangling or suffocating have gone up threefold in the last two decades. 

“Despite increased public health efforts for education about safe sleep practices, we have seen significant surges in infant deaths from accidental strangulation and suffocation,” said researcher Joanna Drowos. “By gaining a deeper understanding of the epidemiology, including both risk and protective factors, public health professionals can tailor messages and programs to reach a diverse group of mothers to help reduce deaths related to this preventable tragedy.” 

Examining trends

To get a better understanding of who is most affected by this startling trend, the researchers broke down infant mortality rates by state. 

By looking at the National Center for Health Statistics Multiple Cause of Death records from 1999 through 2016, the researchers were able to examine different factors -- such as gender, race, and ethnicity -- to determine which of them played a larger role for this trend.

Ultimately, the team determined that race, gender, ethnicity, and region all influenced the likelihood of infants suddenly dying, though these figures increased over time, regardless of any outside factors. 

In 1999, the infant mortality rate for white female infants was under six per 100,000 births. By 2016, that number jumped to nearly 16 per 100,000 births. Similarly, the infant mortality rate for non-Hispanic black female infants was 10.4 in 1999 and then increased to nearly 46 by 2016. 

Regionally, the Midwest and the South contributed to the largest number of sudden infant deaths in bed, with Mississippi seeing considerably high numbers. The state had 93 deaths per 206,819 births of white infants and 115 deaths per 176,825 births of non-Hispanic black infants. 

By comparison, California experienced less than 12 deaths per 100,000 live births of non-Hispanic black infants and 6.5 deaths for every 100,000 live births of white infants. Based on this finding, the researchers are pushing for more research and increased prevention efforts to protect as many infants as possible. 

“We must conduct the rigorous studies to curb these alarming increases in overall deaths and racial inequalities,” said Dr. Charles H. Hennekens. “Future areas of research might include examining family and cultural differences around sleep, local pediatrician practices, available social services, and policies to combat these alarming increases.” 

Facebook’s scrutiny by federal regulators hasn’t ended with a record $5 billion fine officially announced Wednesday by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Later that same day, Facebook reported its second quarter earnings and in that report disclosed that the FTC informed the company in June that it was beginning an antitrust investigation into the company’s market dominance.

This, of course, is in addition to the announcement from the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday that it is launching a broad-based antitrust probe of several large technology companies. Facebook is expected to be among them.

This latest revelation doesn’t concern Facebook’s much-discussed privacy issues, which were resolved with the $5 billion fine. Government investigators will presumably be looking into Facebook business practices and whether it unfairly used its clout and reach to stifle competition.

In agreeing to a settlement of charges related to unauthorized access to user data by a political marketing firm, Facebook also accepted new levels of oversight.

Investor enthusiasm

The announcement of the antitrust probe did little to dampen investor enthusiasm for an otherwise spectacular second quarter earnings report. The company beat expectations both in terms of revenue and profit and the stock moved higher in after-hours trading.

Facebook’s business model could be one factor that is drawing regulatory scrutiny. Facebook charges consumers no money or fee to use its services and because of that has drawn massive numbers of users.

To monetize those users, it sells advertising that targets users based on how they use the site. Advertising rates are very low and advertisers are able to specifically target the consumers they want to reach and get detailed demographic reports on who viewed their ads. Google uses a similar business model.

Since consumers aren’t paying for the service the government will have to prove that consumers are being harmed by the way Facebook is using their data. Since the user base is growing, it doesn’t appear -- at this point, at least -- that consumers really mind that much.

In an effort to take on Amazon, eBay has announced that it plans to launch its own end-to-end fulfillment service next year. 

The company’s upcoming “Managed Delivery” platform will enable sellers to ship their goods to key locations around the U.S. and offer their customers speedier deliveries. Customers will be able to track packages, and high-volume sellers will be released from the burden of packing boxes. 

“Managed Delivery will be a competitively-priced logistics solution for businesses selling high-volume goods in popular categories like electronics, home and garden, and fashion,” said Devin Wenig, eBay President and CEO in a statement. “The implementation of this service will dramatically lessen the shipping burden on sellers, while improving the shopping experience and making unboxing fun for buyers.”

Faster and more reliable deliveries

Unlike Amazon, eBay doesn’t plan to build its own fulfillment centers. Instead, it plans to rely on a network of third-party partners to supply warehousing and delivery services, as well as packaging with its logo. 

Sellers will be charged a warehousing and shipping fee, which is similar to how Amazon operates its "Fulfillment by Amazon" program. In exchange for using the service, eBay will bear responsibility for products lost or damaged in shipping. 

“With approximately 1.5 million packages being sent daily in the U.S. by eBay sellers, Managed Delivery will also result in hundreds of millions of eBay branded boxes and packages being placed on front porches across the United States within the next few years,” the company said. “These branded packages will not only deliver a better shopping experience for customers, but materially enhance eBay’s brand identity as a popular consumer shopping destination.”

Around 40 to 50 percent of items listed on eBay will qualify to use the company’s new fulfillment platform, Reuters reports. The service has been tested by sellers in the U.S. and Germany this year, but a wider rollout is slated for 2020. 

In a global study that sought to understand underage drinkers, researchers from the University of Stirling found some interesting information. 

The team found that a good portion of young people between the ages of 11 and 19 who reported drinking alcohol were unaware that the bottles or packaging come with warnings to protect their health. 

“Only a third of 11-19 year olds recalled seeing product information, health messages, or warnings on alcohol packaging in the past month,” said researcher Dr. Nathan Critchlow. “In particular, only around half of current drinkers were aware of such messaging, despite being an important target market for this information.” 

What’s on the labels?

The researchers utilized responses to the 2017 iteration of the U.K.’s Youth Alcohol Policy Survey, which asks people between the ages of 11 and 19 to respond with their attitudes, beliefs, and habits regarding drinking. 

Not all of the survey respondents are regular drinkers, and some don’t drink at all; however, particularly with this study, it was important for the researchers to understand what messages young drinkers are taking away from their liquor bottles. 

“We explored awareness of such information and differences between population groups and different levels of alcohol consumption, such as whether a young person currently drank alcohol or not,” said Dr. Critchlow. 

Regardless of drinking habits, the survey revealed that of the entirety of the 11-19 age group, just one-third had any recollection of warning labels on alcohol; of those who reported drinking, 50 percent were aware of the messaging. 

While a portion of respondents were able to remember that a warning label was on the alcohol, very few could recall the specificity of the health warnings, some of which inform consumers about the age requirement to legally drink alcohol. 

Not only does alcohol come with its own set of health concerns, but the researchers explained that habits formed around alcohol during consumers’ younger years could translate to habits in later years. Because of this, the team hopes that even more is done to spread the messages hidden in plain sight on alcohol packaging. 

“In the U.K. and internationally, there are frequent calls to increase the visibility, comprehension, and effectiveness of labelling on alcohol packaging,” said Dr. Critchlow. “In particular, critics often point to the statutory steps taken for nutrition labelling on food and drinks, or health warnings and messaging on tobacco products, and ask why alcohol labelling -- which is self-regulated by the industry -- is not as progressive.” 

Dangers of drinking

One recent study explored the dangers of drinking for consumers at any age. 

According to the study, no amount of alcohol consumption is considered “safe,” as the risk for death, disease, and injury continues to increase. 

“Alcohol use is a leading risk factor for global disease burden and causes substantial health loss,” the researchers wrote in the report. “We found that the risk of all-cause mortality, and of cancers specifically, rises with increasing levels of consumption, and the level of consumption that minimizes health loss is zero.”

Consumer optimism continues to be strong, and one reason for that might be because workers’ paychecks are finally starting to get bigger. A new report by ADP Research Institute shows that average pay has increased by $1.09 an hour over the last 12 months, to $28.54 an hour. That’s a 4 percent pay raise.

The biggest gains in pay came in manufacturing and construction. Employees in the services sector and professional and business services also saw strong wage growth.

Ahu Yildirmaz, co-head of the ADP Research Institute, says the labor market has gotten tighter, so when employers find someone they want to hire they have to pay more. They also have to provide incentives to current employees to encourage them not to leave.

"As labor shortages are apparent in most of the sectors, the businesses are holding on to their skilled workers by increasing their wages” Yildirmaz said.

Women are getting the bigger raises

Despite complaints about pay inequity between men and women, Yildirmaz says the latest statistics show the pay gap is now moving in the other direction.

“Female job holders are capturing larger wage gains than their male counterparts,” she said. “Since January 2019, female job holders received average wage gains of 5 percent, while men averaged wage gains of 4.6 percent."

People employed in the information industry appear to have the most leverage when it comes to getting a pay raise. The ADP report shows information workers who switch jobs now have an average salary of $41.08 an hour, a nearly 10 percent increase in the last 12 months.

Job switchers in professional and business services and construction haven’t done badly either. They’ve seen their wages rise 8.3 percent and 8.7 percent, respectively. Those working in trade jobs experienced significantly stronger growth in wages than the workers who switched to jobs in the industry.

Big raises in the Midwest

Geography also influenced pay increases. Those living in the Midwest did better than those in other regions, but only when it comes to pay increases. Midwestern workers earned less, on average, than those in other regions of the country.

The West, which hosts a large number of technology companies, was the most rewarding to people who switched jobs. Those who took positions at other companies enjoyed an average pay bump of 7.3 percent. Employees in the South and Northeast had the lowest wage growth at 3.6 percent. 

Amazon has launched a new real estate venture in partnership with Realogy, which owns Century 21 and Coldwell Banker. 

Home buyers who use the new service, dubbed TurnKey, will be connected with a real-estate agent from one of the two firms. In exchange for using the service, buyers will get up to $5,000 in Amazon services and devices when they close on their new home. 

The devices Amazon will throw in include the Echo voice assistant, Ring video doorbell, and smart light bulbs. Installation will be taken care of by Amazon-vetted professionals. Examples of home services that Amazon is offering buyers include deep cleaning, repairs, or furniture assembly. 

Amazon says the value of home services and devices it will offer depends on the value of the newly purchased home. The full $5,000 would be given to buyers who purchased a home that cost $700,000 or more. 

Experienced realtors

Realogy says it has set a high bar for agents to qualify to participate in the TurnKey program; just 11 percent of its eligible agents have met its criteria for working with clients referred by Amazon. 

"Realogy and our brands are always looking for ways to give consumers an awesome homebuying experience with a terrific real estate agent, and today's launch of TurnKey is a big part of that continued strategy," Ryan M. Schneider, Realogy's chief executive officer and president, said in a statement. 

"Realogy's great affiliated agents serve their clients during one of the most important moments in their lives, and Amazon's services and products can transform that moment to make it rewarding in a way no one ever has before.”

The service is available in 15 major markets, including San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Los Angeles.

Betterment is rolling out a suite of banking services that could prove useful to consumers who have lately shied away from banks.

The financial services firm this week began promoting checking and savings products under the banner of Betterment Everyday.

The products include a checking account that doesn’t have many of the features that consumers have consistently said they don’t like about banks. Just like a bank, deposits are insured up to $250,000. But unlike many banks, the checking account has no service fees, overdraft fees, minimum balances, or monthly maintenance fees. 

Checking account customers can also get a Betterment Visa Debit Card. As an added feature, you can use the card at any ATM without worrying about fees because Betterment will reimburse that cost. The checking accounts will be available later this year, but consumers can sign up now by getting on the waitlist.

The savings account portion of the package is available now. It’s FDIC insured up to $1 million and pays 2.69 percent APY on the balance. There are no minimum balance requirements and no withdrawal limits.

Drawing distinction with banks

"The biggest challenge for Americans when it comes to their money is saving for the future, and unfortunately a majority of the traditional banks they depend on charge extra fees, encourage cash-holding and upsell unnecessary products,” said Jon Stein, CEO of Betterment. “Right now, it's nearly impossible to find a banking solution that has its customers' best interests at heart." 

Since the financial crisis, millions of consumers have become “unbanked” -- some by choice and others involuntarily. When the crisis hit in full force in early 2009, many banks unilaterally closed some customers’ accounts and canceled their credit cards, even though they were paying on time.

Even as the economy has recovered, many consumers still lack a banking relationship. Estimates from a 2017 FDIC survey show that 6.5 percent of households in the United States were unbanked in 2017. That works out to about 8.4 million households. 

After the financial crisis, most traditional banks added or increased fees as a way to maintain profitability in the challenging new environment. As a result, some consumers simply stopped using banks and began dealing strictly in cash.

Fintech firms such as Betterment incorporate computer programs and other technology into financial services to make the process more efficient. In addition to banking, fintech firms also automate insurance, stock trading, and risk management.

Elevation Foods is recalling containers of Archer Farms-brand egg salad; Freskëtbrand egg salad, tuna salad, and Thai lobster salad; and Archer Farms-brand deviled egg sandwiches.

The products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The following products are being recalled:

• Archer Farms-brand Egg Salad packaged in a 12-ounce clear, square plastic container, Lot Number W1906042A, Use By 12AUG2019 (printed on the side of each container) UPC 085239018682, distributed nationwide
• Freskët-brand Egg Salad packaged in a 32-ounce clear, square plastic container, Lot Number W1906042, Use By 12AUG2019A (printed on the side of each container
• Freskët-brand Tuna Salad packaged in a 5-pound white, round plastic container, Lot Number W1906054, Use By 02AUG2019A (printed on the side of each container
• Freskët-brand Thai Lobster Salad packaged in a 5-pound white, round plastic container, Lot Number W1906041, Use By 02AUG2019A (printed on the side of each container)
• Archer Farms Deviled Egg Sandwich Half Sandwich with Bacon, UPC 220505000002, distributed nationwide
• Archer Farms Deviled Egg Sandwich on Multigrain, UPC 498780203566, distributed nationwide

The recalled products, manufactured on June 18, 2019, were shipped directly shipped to retailer warehouses throughout the U.S.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled products should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may call (866) 761-9566 at any time.