About 6,800 Talon Hunting Hang-on Tree Stands and Brackets/Straps, which were manufactured by Summit Treestands LLC, of Decatur, Alabama, have been recalled, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced.

The tree stand can unexpectedly detach from the tree when the brackets fail, posing a fall hazard to consumers. To date, the firm has received four reports of the brackets failing, resulting in reports of falls and injuries including broken bones. More Tree Stand Hunting Brackets Recalled

About 8,600 Rechargeable Batteries, manifested by AMX of Richardson, Texas, and sold with MVP 5000 Series Wireless Touch Panels are being recalled, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced.

A defect in the battery can cause the battery pack to overheat and rupture. This poses a fire and burn hazard to consumers. To date no incidents or injuries have been reported.
More Rechargeable Batteries with MVP 5000 Series Wireless Touch Panels Recalled

Homeowners have been given some guidance on determining if their home has a Chinese drywall problem. The Chinese drywall guidelines were issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

According to the CPSC, the two-step guidance requires a visual inspection that must show blackening of copper electrical wiring and/or air conditioning evaporator coils. New drywall must have been installed in the property (for new construction or renovations) between 2001 and 2008. More Guidelines for Identifying Defective Chinese Drywall Released

Increased prenatal phthalate exposure may be linked to negative behaviors in young children. Science Daily, citing an emerging study conducted jointly by Mount Sinai researchers and scientists from Cornell University and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), revealed that such exposure could be associated with “disruptive and problem behaviors” in children aged four through nine.

The first-of-its-kind study looked at prenatal phthalate exposure on child neurobehavioral development and is scheduled for publication this month on the Environmental Health Perspectives Website, said Science Daily. More Prenatal Phthalate Exposure Can Impact Child Behavior

Toyota’s recall of cars and trucks for an unintended acceleration issues has now extended to Europe and China. And now two congressional committees have announced that they will hold hearings to address the sudden acceleration issues reported with Toyota vehicles.

Earlier this month, Toyota announced it was recalling 2.3 million Toyota vehicles in the U.S. because the accelerator pedal can stick, causing unintended acceleration. The recall involved 2009-2010 RAV4, 2009-2010 Corolla, 2009-2010 Matrix, 2005-2010 Avalon, certain 2007-2010 Camrys, 2010 Highlander, 2007-2010 Tundra, 2008-2010 Sequoia. A week later, Toyota suspended production and sales of those models to deal with the issues that caused the problem. More Toyota Recall Extends to Europe and China, Attracts Congressional Scrutiny

Hettich Instruments Management Inc. has recalled Hettich Centrifuges with 2050 and 2076 Plastic Rotors, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just announced. Hettich Instruments Management I is located at 100 Cummings Center; Suite 130G;
Beverly; Massachusetts; 01915-6127.

This recall is a Class I. Class I recalls are the most serious type of recall and involve situations in which there is a reasonable probability that use of the recalled products will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. The recall of Hettich Centrifuges was initiated on November 21, 2009 and includes the following products: More Hettich Instruments Recalls Centrifuges

Edwards Lifesciences Inc. initiated a Class I recall for its Aquarius Hemodialysis System, effective January 11, 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just announced. Class 1 recalls are the most serious type of recall and involve situations in which there is a reasonable probability that use of the recalled products will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

The recall involves the Edwards Lifesciences Inc. Aquarius Hemodialysis System in model numbers GEF08200, GEF09500, GEF09600, GEF09700, and GEF09800, using Software version 6.00.04. This product was manufactured from July 12, 2007 through March 18, 2009 and distributed from July 12, 2007 through March 18, 2009. Edwards Lifesciences, LLC is located at 1 Edwards Way; Irvine, California; 92614-5688. More Aquarius Hemodialysis System Subject to Class I Recall

About 2,500 2009 Model Year FX10 Snowmobiles, which were distributed by the Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S.A., of Cypress, California, have been recalled, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced.

A bolt in the right front “A” arm can loosen in the suspension/steering system, resulting in the sudden loss of steering control. This poses a risk of injury or death to riders. To date, no incidents or injuries have been reported.
More Yamaha Recalls Snowmobiles for Steering Problem

About 17,500 Zippo Slatkin & Co. Candle Lighters, which were manufactured in China and imported by the Zippo Manufacturing Company, of Bradford, Pennsylvania, have been recalled, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced.

The Zippo Slatkin & Co. Candle Lighters can produce an excessive flame when adjusted to maximum flame setting, posing a burn hazard to consumers. To date, no incidents or injuries have been reported. More Zippo Candle Lighters Recalled for Burn Hazard

We have long been writing about the potential links between disease and the environment. Now, says Science Daily, these links, specifically with “autoimmune diseases, infections, and genetics” might be directly connected to the environments in which we live and work.

According to Professor Michael Ehrenfeld of Tel Aviv University’s Sackler School of Medicine, our environment works with our “genetic programming” and can also “determine” if we will develop an autoimmune disease, said Science Daily. Most recently, Professor Ehrenfeld published a report in the journal Autoimmune Reviews on how “Spondylo-arthropathies,” are triggered by the environment, reported Science Daily. Spondyl-arthropathies are, said Science Daily, “a group of common inflammatory rheumatic disorders.” More Chemicals in Lipstick, Hairspray, Pollution Linked to Autoimmune Disorders