Current Events in April 2024

Chrysler is recalling 12,375 model year 2021-2022 Ram ProMasters.

The wiring harness may have a poor connection, which can cause the left taillight and left turn signal to become inoperative.

A left turn signal that doesn’t work may not notify other drivers of a turning vehicle, while an inoperative left taillight can reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers.

Both situations can increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

The remedy is under development.

Notification letters are expected to be mailed to owners May 3, 2024.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at (800) 853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 21B.

For once, the story isn't about grocery items that have gone up the most but those that have come down in price.

The March ConsumerAffairs Datasembly Shopping Cart Index declined slightly from February but is up 3.6% over March 2023. The Index is composed of 25 commonly purchased grocery items. Datasembly tracks their price movements in real-time.

The March Shopping Cart checks out at a price of $160.99. That compares to $161.19, the cost of February's Shopping Cart.

Prices of white rice and peanut butter, which were up sharply in February, declined significantly last month. Also, butter and coffee prices were lower by at least 20 cents.

Many other items rose or fell by two or three cents and several items showed stable prices.

The price of cookies was sharply higher, hit by the high costs of sugar and cocoa. Bacon prices were 7% higher and the price of paper towels rose by 2%.

The FebruaryShopping Cart Index

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of flame-retardant chemicals that can be found in thousands of consumer products. Everything from carpets, drapes, computers, and small appliances contain PBDEs. On top of that, they can get into the air, water, and soil. 

Now, a new study, for the first time, is linking exposure to these chemicals with a higher risk of cancer. PBDEs were found to increase the risk of all cancers and cancer-related mortality. 

“In this nationally representative cohort study, PBDE exposure was significantly associated with an increased risk of cancer mortality,” the researchers wrote. “Further studies are needed to replicate the findings and determine the underlying mechanisms.” 

What are the health risks? 

To better understand how PBDEs can impact health, the researchers analyzed data from people over the age of 20 who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2003 to 2004. The researchers analyzed the blood test results of the 1,100 participants to determine the levels of PBDE exposure.  

Ultimately, participants who had the greatest exposure to PBDE also had the highest risk of death from cancer. Compared to those with the lowest levels of PBDE, the researchers found that those with the highest serum PBDE levels had a 300% higher risk of death from cancer. 

The researchers also found that this statistic held up regardless of several factors, including age, race, sex, physical activity, diet quality or obesity status. It was unclear from the study if certain types of cancer carried a greater risk than others. 

'Major public health implications'

Greater exposure to the chemical was not linked with higher increases in death from any cause or cardiovascular-related death. 

“Our findings have major public health implications,” the researchers wrote. “Although PBDEs are mostly banned today under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, their production and use are still ongoing in some regions. For example, only 13 states in the U.S. have applied limitations on using PBDEs in certain goods, but no federal restrictions are in place.” 

The researchers hope more research is done in this area to get a more in-depth understanding of how these chemicals are harmful to consumers’ health and longevity.