A growing number of consumers fear tariffs will produce a recession

April 29, 2025

Key takeaways:

• Consumer confidence falls sharply: The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index dropped by 7.9 points to 86.0 in April, reaching its lowest level since the early COVID-19 pandemic.

• Expectations signal recession fears: The Expectations Index plummeted 12.5 points to 54.4well below the recession warning thresholdwith pessimism growing about jobs, income, and business conditions.
  

• Tariffs and inflation top consumer worries: Tariff concerns surged to record levels, while inflation expectations hit 7%, reigniting anxiety about the economic outlook.
  

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Consumer confidence took another sharp hit in April, declining for the fifth consecutive month and plunging to its lowest level since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new data from The Conference Board. The Consumer Confidence Index fell 7.9 points to 86.0, highlighting growing unease about the future of the U.S. economy.

The decline was largely fueled by deteriorating consumer expectations. The Expectations Index, which measures short-term outlooks for income, business, and labor market conditions, dropped 12.5 points to 54.4its lowest reading since October 2011. Historically, a reading below 80 often signals a recession ahead.

"The decline was largely driven by consumers' expectations," Stephanie Guichard, senior economist for Global Indicators at The Conference Board, said in a statement. "Notably, expectations about future income prospects turned clearly negative for the first time in five years."

Job concerns

Consumers are particularly pessimistic about the job market. The share of respondents anticipating fewer jobs in the next six months rose to 32.1%, nearly matching levels last seen during the Great Recession. Income prospects also darkened, with more consumers expecting their earnings to decrease rather than increase, a shift not seen since 2020.

Despite the negative outlook, consumers assessments of current business conditions slightly improved. Nearly 19.2% of those surveyed said business conditions were "good," an uptick from March, while those viewing conditions as "bad" edged down. However, sentiment regarding the labor market weakened, with fewer consumers stating that jobs are "plentiful" and more reporting that jobs are "hard to get."

The decline in confidence was broad-based across age, income, and political groups. The sharpest drop occurred among consumers aged 3555 and households earning over $125,000 annually, suggesting that even higher-income Americans are feeling the squeeze.

Financial market turbulence in April exacerbated worries. Almost half of consumers 48.5% expect stock prices to fall over the next year, the highest proportion since 2011. Inflation expectations also worsened, with anticipated 12-month inflation reaching 7%, marking the highest since the peak of the inflation surge in late 2022.

Tariffs emerge as a major concern

For the first time, tariffs overtook other issues as a dominant concern among consumers. Many respondents voiced anxiety about tariffs driving up prices and hurting economic growth. Inflation and high prices continue to weigh heavily on sentiment, even as some noted slight declines in gas and select food items.

Uncertainty about stock markets and the economy at large also featured prominently in consumer comments, reflecting a jittery mood heading into mid-2025.

Consumers' spending intentions weakened substantially. Plans to buy homes, cars, and vacations declined on a six-month moving average basis. Meanwhile, intentions to spend on services, including dining out, also fell sharply, with the share of consumers planning to spend more on dining registering one of the largest month-on-month declines on record.

A high-profile dispute gets a mixed response from BBB

April 29, 2025
Key takeaways

• BBB National Programs NAD rules that Reckitt must discontinue unqualified eliminates odor claims for Lysol Air Sanitizer
• Some claims upheld, including EPA-approved label and social media influencer posts showing proper use
• P&Gs challenge prompts scrutiny of odor and air freshener comparisons across ads, websites, and TikTok content

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A high-profile advertising dispute between Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Reckitt Benckiser, the maker of Lysol Air Sanitizer, has led to a mixed ruling by the National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs, which found that some claims were supported, while others must be discontinued or modified.

The case centered on whether Reckitts advertising accurately supported Lysol Air Sanitizers odor-elimination and comparative claims, including those made in commercials, websites, and social media posts.

Qualified vs. unqualified claims

The NAD upheld Reckitts use of the EPA-approved product label, which states that Lysol Air Sanitizer eliminates odors by killing odor-causing bacteria in the air. That claim, the division found, is supported and legally permissible under current EPA and state guidelines.

However, NAD concluded that unqualified eliminates odor claims, such as those made in commercials, online videos, and website copy, were too broad. These statements implied that the product could eliminate all odors, including non-bacterial ones, at a molecular and sensory levela standard for which Reckitts evidence fell short.

NAD specifically cited the St. Croix testing presented by Reckitt, which the panel found insufficient to substantiate such expansive claims. As a result, Reckitt has been asked to stop using eliminates odor phrasing that lacks clear qualifications.

Air freshener comparisons,social media scrutiny

P&G also challenged comparative claims made in advertising that implied Lysol was superior to air fresheners like Febreze. NAD found that the challenged ads did not overreach, as they fairly communicated that Lysol, unlike air fresheners, can eliminate airborne bacteria and viruses, without implying general superiority in all areas.

On social media, P&G objected to TikTok videos involving influencers and users. While posts by Lysols paid influencers were found to follow proper product usage instructions, a user-generated video misusing the product was flagged. NAD recommended Reckitt take reasonable steps to remove or correct that video, though Reckitt had already discontinued several such posts voluntarily during the review process.

Reckitts response

In an official advertiser statement, Reckitt disagreed with NADs stance on its odor elimination testing, but said it would accept the panels findings regarding the specific advertising reviewed.

While we maintain that our industry-standard testing supports our products performance, we accept NADs conclusions regarding the materials in question, the company stated.

NAD noted that Reckitt is free to make supported odor-reduction claims, provided they are accurately qualified and substantiated.

The decision underscores the importance of nuanced advertising in highly regulated categories, especially where public health, EPA oversight, and consumer expectations intersect. For companies like Reckitt and P&G, the ruling highlights the fine line between bold marketing and overstatement.

The 'forever chemicals' are thought to have a wide range of health consequences

April 29, 2025
Key takeaways

- New EPA rule sets strict enforceable limits on six PFAS chemicals, including 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS

- Public water systems have five years to comply, but experts warn of steep financial burdens

- States and industries face pressure to adapt quickly amid legal, environmental, and economic complexities

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In a historic move to address the growing health threat of forever chemicals, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is enacting new regulations covering PFAS,a class of seemingly ubiquitous toxic chemicals that can cause kidney cancer, thyroid disruption, reduced responses to vaccination, and other health problems.

These forever chemicals have contaminated drinking water across the nation and threaten as much as 45% of the nations tap water, according to a 2023 study by the U.S. Geological Survey.

According to an EPA news release, the agency will pursue several measures related to PFAS, including the following:

• Develop effluent limitations guidelines (ELGs) for PFAS manufacturers and metal finishers and evaluate other ELGs necessary for reduction of PFAS discharges
• Enforce Clean Water Act and TSCA limitations on PFAS use and release to prevent further contamination
• Work with Congress and industry to establish a clear liability framework that operates on polluter pays and protects passive receivers
• Address the most significant compliance challenges and requests from Congress and drinking water systems related to national primary drinking water regulations forcertain PFAS

Drinking water the first target

The new rules are parrt of theNational Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR), formally enacted this month by the EPA, setting legally enforceable limits on six types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in public water supplies.

Announced on April 10, 2024, the rule caps the amount of PFOA and PFOS at 4 parts per trillion (ppt)among the most stringent thresholds ever imposed by the EPAand establishes new 10 ppt limits for four other PFAS compounds: PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and GenX chemicals (HFPO-DA).

The regulation also includes a novel hazard index for mixtures of two or more of the latter four substances. The rule follows more than a year of public input and over 120,000 public comments.

A timeline for compliance

Public water systems now face a multi-stage timeline:

• 3 years to complete initial monitoring and publicly report PFAS levels.
  

• 5 years to reduce PFAS contamination if levels exceed the new Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), using EPA-endorsed technologies such as granular activated carbon, anion exchange, and reverse osmosis.
  

The EPA estimates that between 6% and 10% of U.S. public water systems will require remediation, affecting up to 66,000 systems across the country.

To ease the financial burden, the agency also announced $1 billion in funding to assist small and disadvantaged communities, part of a broader $21 billion PFAS-related infrastructure investment under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Environmentalists pleased

In pursuit of non-stick and non-stain convenience, the widespread use of PFAS in products has resulted in pervasive contamination of Americas drinking water and threats to our health," said Environment America Research & Policy Centers Clean Water Director and Senior Attorney John Rumpler released the following statement:

"The only way to solve this major pollution problem is to phase out the use of these toxic chemicals, halt further releases into our waterways and ensure comprehensive cleanup where contamination has already occurred," Rumpler said.

Industry and states alarmed

While the rule has been applauded by environmental and public health groups, it has raised alarm among utility operators and manufacturers. Industry representatives warn that compliance costs could exceed $3.8 billion annually, far higher than the EPAs estimate of $1.5 billion, potentially burdening ratepayers with hundreds to thousands of dollars in annual costs.

Many companies also argue that PFAS are essential for certain critical applicationsincluding medical devices, semiconductors, and components used in the clean energy transitionand that regulating them too aggressively could disrupt supply chains or shift manufacturing abroad.

Meanwhile, states that had adopted their own PFAS limitsfrom California to New Yorkmust now reconcile those rules with the federal standards. Some will need to strengthen their existing guidelines, while others will shift enforcement to federal oversight. The result is a complex, evolving regulatory patchwork that has left consumers and local agencies scrambling for clarity.

Whats next

The PFAS drinking water rule is just one part of a broader EPA PFAS Strategic Roadmap, which aims to tackle PFAS pollution across environmental systems.

Next on the docket: the likely designation of certain PFAS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as the Superfund law. That change could dramatically expand cleanup liability for polluters and municipalities alike.

Additional regulations are expected under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Clean Water Acts National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), placing more pressure on wastewater treatment operators and their communities.

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A new study links the plastic chemical DEHP to 356,000 heart disease deaths globally in 2018, urging urgent regulations for public health.

April 29, 2025
Key takeaways

• DEHP, a plastic-softening chemical, may have contributed to 356,000 global heart disease deaths in 2018
• NYU researchers identify Asia and the Middle East as bearing three-quarters of the health burden
• Study calls for global regulation as plastic exposure poses rising public health risks

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A new global study has linked a common plastic additive to more than 356,000 deaths from heart disease in 2018, spotlighting the severe health risks associated with everyday exposure to phthalates, chemicals used in a wide range of consumer products.

The analysis, published April 29 in Lancet eBiomedicine, was conducted by researchers at NYU Langone Health, who found that exposure to di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)a chemical used to make plastics soft and flexiblewas likely a major contributor to heart-related deaths, especially among adults aged 55 to 64.

A widespread danger

DEHP is found in food containers, medical equipment, cosmetics, detergents, and other common items. As the compound breaks down, it releases microscopic particles that can be ingested or absorbed by the body. Past research has linked phthalates to obesity, diabetes, infertility, and cancer. Now, this latest study estimates that DEHP alone was responsible for 13% of all cardiovascular deaths in the specified age group in 2018.

This adds to the vast body of evidence that these chemicals present a tremendous danger to human health, said lead author Sara Hyman, associate research scientist at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

The economic burden from these deaths is equally staggering estimated to total $510 billion globally, and potentially reaching as high as $3.74 trillion, according to the researchers.

Asia and the Middle East hit hardest

The analysis showed a geographic imbalance in the health effects, with Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, and the Pacific accounting for roughly three-quarters of the death toll. India alone saw more than 103,000 deaths, followed by China and Indonesia. Researchers adjusted their models to account for population differences and still found significantly higher death rates in these regions.

One potential reason: these areas are undergoing rapid industrialization and increased plastic production, often with fewer regulatory safeguards than in Western countries.

There is a clear disparity in which parts of the world bear the brunt of heightened heart risks from phthalates, said senior author Dr. Leonardo Trasande, professor of pediatrics and environmental health at NYU Grossman.

A call for global action

The researchers emphasized that the study does not prove causation, but rather a strong association between DEHP exposure and heart disease deaths. The findings were based on chemical exposure data from over 200 countries, collected via population surveys and urine samples, along with mortality data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.

Trasande said future work will look at how reductions in phthalate exposure affect global health outcomes and plans to expand research into preterm birth and other conditions linked to these chemicals.

The team urges urgent global regulatory action to reduce exposure to DEHP and similar phthalates especially in countries experiencing plastic booms with limited oversight. While some phthalates are already banned or restricted in the U.S. and Europe, enforcement varies widely worldwide.

We need to treat this as a global public health emergency, Trasande said. Reducing exposure to toxic plastics is no longer optional its essential.

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The lone American beach making the list is on Floridas west coast

April 29, 2025

Key takeaways

• Siesta Beach in Florida is the only U.S. beach included in The Worlds 50 Best Beaches list for 2025, recognized for its powdery white quartz sand, gentle slope, shallow waters, and pristine surroundings.
  

• Global competition is steep, with 49 of the top 50 beaches located outside the U.S., including the top-ranked Cala Goloritze in Italy, making many of the world's best beach destinations potentially out of budget for American travelers.
  

• Selection process involved votes from over 1,000 vetted travel professionals, judges, and influencers, aiming to highlight breathtaking and less touristy beach experiences worldwide.
  

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Beach season is rapidly approaching, and in spite of tariffs and inflation, a recent survey shows Americans still plan to take a vacation this summer.

But alas, according to The Worlds 50 Best Beaches, 49 of the top beaches are in other countries and may be outside the budgets of many travelers. According to the list, Cala Goloritze is the worlds best beach, but unfortunately, its in Italy.

However, the lone American beach to make the list is Siesta Beach, on Floridas west coast. According to the list, Siesta Beach, located on Siesta Key, off shore of Sarasota, stands out for its rare, powdery white sand made up of 99% pure quartz from the Appalachian Mountains, which stays cool to the touch even under the hot Florida sun. This unique sand is one of the key features that sets Siesta Beach apart, often dubbed the world's finest, whitest sand.

The lists authors also cite the gentle slope of the beach, along with the shallow, calm waters, as creating an ideal environment for swimming, while also making it safe for children.

Pristine surroundings

Siesta Beach is also known for its pristine surroundings, free from large developments, which helps preserve its natural beauty and makes it one of the top beaches to visit in the U.S., the lists authors conclude.

The World's 50 Best Beaches is based on votes from its network of Judges as well as from over 1,000 vetted travel professionals, including industry experts and high-profile influencers.

"Our 2025 list is the result of countless days spent by our judges, Beach Ambassadors, and the World's 50 Best team exploring coastlines across the globe," Tine Holst, co-founder of The World's 50 Best Beaches, said in a press release. "Our mission is to inspire travelers to go beyond the typical tourist hotspots and discover the kind of beach experiences they've always dreamed ofplaces that are truly breathtaking, peaceful, and unforgettable."

For Americans willing to travel outside the U.S. to visit a great beach, the other 49 top beaches are listed here.

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