Study suggests ‘biodegradable’ teabags don’t readily deteriorate in the environment and can adversely affect terrestrial species

UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH

Some teabags manufactured using plastic alternatives do not degrade in soil and have the potential to harm terrestrial species, a new study has shown.

The research looked at commonly available teabags made using three different compositions of polylactic acid (PLA), which is derived from sources such as corn starch or sugar cane.

The teabags were buried in soil for seven months, and a range of techniques were then used to assess whether – and to what extent – they had deteriorated.

The results showed that teabags made solely from PLA remained completely intact. However, the two types of teabags made from a combination of cellulose and PLA broke down into smaller pieces, losing between 60% and 80% of their overall mass and with the PLA component remaining.

The study also examined the impacts of the discs cut from the teabags on a species of earthworm, Eisenia fetida, which has a critical role in soil nutrient turnover as it consumes organic matter.

Researchers found that being exposed to three different concentrations of teabag discs – equivalent to the mass of half, one and two teabags – resulted in up to 15% greater mortality, while some concentrations of PLA had a detrimental effect on earthworm reproduction.

Writing in the journal Science of the Total Environment, the study’s authors highlight the need for accurate disposal information to be clearly displayed on product packaging.

Only one of the manufacturers whose products were chosen for the study indicated on the packaging that the teabags were not home compostable.

This could lead to them ending up in soil, while there is also high potential for consumer confusion about the meaning of terms such as plant-based or biodegradable, emphasising the need for clear guidance on appropriate disposal.

Dr Winnie Courtene-Jones, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Plymouth, is the study’s lead author. She said: “In response to the plastic waste crisis, biodegradable plastics such as PLA are being used in an increasing range of products. This study highlights the need for more evidence on the degradation and possible effects of such materials before their use becomes even more widespread, and to prevent the generation of alternative problems if they are not properly disposed of.”

The study was designed to replicate the environmental conditions into which teabags might be discarded on account of a lack of clear labelling as to how they should be disposed.

It used analytical techniques such as size exclusion chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and scanning electron microscopy allowing scientists to examine not just how the teabags had changed visibly but also structurally.

Study co-author Professor Antoine Buchard, formerly of the University of Bath and now Professor of Sustainable Polymer Chemistry at the University of York, added: “PLA is a bioderived plastic with a reduced carbon footprint compared to traditional plastics, which also degrades under industrial composting conditions. Using a number of chemical analysis techniques, we've shown that when it is not properly disposed of, for example after seven months in the soil, its molecular structure remains intact. Labels such as biodegradable and compostable have the potential to mislead the public, therefore it is important that scientists, policy makers and manufacturers work together to ensure clear standards are followed and that the public has easy access to information on where to dispose of those new plastics.”

The research was carried out as part of BIO-PLASTIC-RISK, a four-year £2.6million project led by the University of Plymouth and funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (part of UK Research and Innovation). It is assessing how biodegradable packaging and products break down and, in turn, whether the plastics or their breakdown products affect species both on land and in the marine environment.

It also builds on previous research suggesting that some products labelled as biodegradable, including carrier bags, do not disintegrate after as much as three years in the environment.

The study has been published in the wake of the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4), where world leaders and scientists were among those to continue discussions towards the Global Plastics Treaty.

Study co-author Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS, Head of the University of Plymouth’s International Marine Litter Research Unit and lead of the BIO-PLASTIC-RISK project, is a co-coordinator the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty. He said: “After 30 years of research on plastic pollution I am delighted there is now a global consensus, as evidenced by the UN Plastics Treaty, that current production use and disposal of plastic is unsustainable. But it is with immense frustration that I see alternative and substitute materials entering the market without clear guidance on how their benefits might be realised. Even if consumers understand how to dispose of these products only around half of households in the UK currently have access to the necessary waste streams for the type of composting required. It is essential we learn from the mistakes we made with plastic materials by testing and labelling these novel materials in relation to the prevailing waste management infrastructure.”

Dr Mick Hanley, Associate Professor in Plant-Animal Interactions at the University of Plymouth and senior author on the study, added: “In this study PLA-based teabags  did not fully deteriorate, and it seems that composting worms may be harmed by them. The lack of clear labelling can lead to consumers disposing of teabags in their compost, where any limit to complete degradation of the material raises the potential for plastics to enter the soil when compost is added to the garden, with potential impacts on garden wildlife and uptake by food plants.”

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JOURNAL

Science of The Total Environment

DOI

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172806 

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Experimental study

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

Not applicable

ARTICLE TITLE

Deterioration of bio-based polylactic acid plastic teabags under environmental conditions and their associated effects on earthworms

 

What are the risks of hydrogen vehicles in tunnels?

A team from Graz University of Technology has analyzed the risk and damage potential of hydrogen vehicles in tunnels and derived recommendations. Their conclusion? Any damage would be extensive, but its occurrence is unlikely.

GRAZ UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

 

IMAGE: 

DANIEL FRUHWIRT FROM THE INSTITUTE OF THERMODYNAMICS AND SUSTAINABLE PROPULSION SYSTEMS AT TU GRAZ.

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CREDIT: LUNGHAMMER - TU GRAZ

In addition to electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles are also seen as an alternative to conventionally powered vehicles. However, an increase in the number of such cars with fuel cells (fuel cell electric vehicles – FCEVs) would also result in completely new hazard scenarios, especially in tunnels. In the HyTRA project, Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) has investigated what types of incidents involving hydrogen-powered vehicles in tunnels are realistic, what dangers arise for people and the tunnel structure, and what measures can be taken to minimise these risks. The project was funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) and ASFINAG.

Low probability of occurrence, high damage potential

There is virtually no empirical data on real accidents involving hydrogen-powered vehicles in tunnels due to their low traffic share to date. Therefore, only a rough estimate of the probability of occurrence could be made based on experience with gas-powered vehicles, which indicated a low probability. In comparison, the potential extent of damage was analysed in great detail on the basis of experiments from the EU HyTunnel-CS project, which ended in 2022. Due to the high energy density of hydrogen and the high pressure at which it is stored, FCEVs have a very high damage potential.

According to the current standard, hydrogen is stored in cars at a pressure of 700 bar and in lorries and buses at 350 bar. If damage occurs to a tank, a great deal of energy is quickly released; if hydrogen catches fire, it burns at temperatures of over 2000 degrees Celsius. Although the tanks are very robust and well protected against mechanical impact, they cannot withstand a rear-end collision with a lorry. This scenario should therefore be avoided as far as possible.

Three hazard scenarios

The most likely outcome of an accident involving an FCEV is that there will be no significant impact from the hydrogen. However, three different hazard scenarios can occur in the event of serious accidents. In the first case, the thermal pressure relief device (TPRD) is triggered when the pressure rises as a result of a thermal impact (e.g. vehicle fire), releasing the hydrogen from the tank in a controlled jet. This keeps the pressure at a certain level and prevents the tank from rupturing. If the discharged hydrogen ignites – which can easily happen when mixed with air -, the flame is directed towards the ground. Nevertheless, it remains dangerous because hydrogen burns without colour or odour, but the danger zone is limited. If the TPRD fails, the tank can explode, creating a blast wave that spreads through the entire tunnel. Up to approx. 30 metres there is a risk of death, up to approx. 300 metres there is a risk of serious internal injuries such as bleeding to the lungs, and further away there is still a risk of ruptured eardrums.

The third scenario is the least likely. It occurs when the hydrogen is released without being ignited. As the lightest element in the periodic table, hydrogen rises and collects in a cloud under the tunnel ceiling. If there is an ignition source there (e.g. hot lamps or an electrical impulse starting a fan), a hydrogen cloud explosion follows, which also causes a blast wave.

Less speed and sufficient distance

“Our investigations have shown that although the hazard scenarios involving hydrogen vehicles are relatively unlikely, they harbour great potential for damage. Modern hydrogen tanks are built so safely that a lot has to go wrong for the hydrogen to escape,” says Daniel Fruhwirt from the Institute of Thermodynamics and Sustainable Propulsion Systems. “In addition, the transport infrastructure in Austrian tunnels probably fulfils the strictest requirements in Europe. Since we only have one operator for all motorway and highway tunnels, the safety level is also very homogeneous. In terms of infrastructure, there is hardly any risk of damage to the tunnel structure, but accidents would be dangerous for people.”

To minimise the risks, Daniel Fruhwirt and his project team have recommended several measures. Stricter speed limits that are monitored with section control, precise distance controls that signal to drivers when they are following too closely, and speed limits that are displayed earlier in traffic jams so that the speed is already low enough when arriving at the end of the jam to cause only minor damage in the event of a rear-end collision. “What has already been implemented in most EU member states as a result of the serious events at the end of the 1990s and early 2000s, is that all tunnels on motorways and highways with a length of more than 500 metres are twin-tube tunnels and are generally no longer used for bi-directional traffic. This reduces the risk considerably,” explains Daniel Fruhwirt.

This research area is anchored in the Field of Expertise “Mobility & Production“, one of five strategic foci of TU Graz.

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DOI

10.3217/978-3-85125-996-4-45 

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Data/statistical analysis

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

Not applicable

ARTICLE TITLE

HYDROGEN POWERED VEHICLES IN A TUNNEL INCIDENT – RISKS AND CONSEQUENCES

 

Changes in extreme high-temperature warning indicators over China under different global warming levels

SCIENCE CHINA PRESS

 

IMAGE: 

THIS FIGURE ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN TX40D (NUMBER OF DAYS WITH TEMPERATURES EXCEEDING 40°C), TX40L (LENGTH OF THE SEASON WITH TEMPERATURES EXCEEDING 40°C), AND TXX (INTENSITY OF HIGH TEMPERATURES) OVER CHINA. IT DEMONSTRATES THAT TX40D IS INCREASING, TX40L IS EXTENDING, AND TXX IS STRENGTHENING, ESPECIALLY IN 2022, THE INCREASE OF THESE INDICATORS HAS BROKEN THROUGH HISTORICAL EXTREMES.

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CREDIT: ©SCIENCE CHINA PRESS

Recently, the Science China Earth Sciences published online research results from the team led by Ying Sun from China National Climate Center, including authors Master Yuxia Zhang and Researcher Ting Hu. The team investigated the observed and climate model projected changes in extreme high temperature warning indicators across China. They found approximately linear increase in the intensity of extreme high temperatures exceeding 35°C and 40°C with global warming, while the number of high temperature days and length of season were projected to increase non-linearly. The climate models showed more severe increase in extreme high temperature changes than the raw projections after the annual cycle was bias corrected. The start date of high temperatures will occur earlier and the end date will be delayed, thereby the high temperature season will become longer. The geographical extent affected by high temperatures will continue to expand.

The researchers focused on the fixed threshold indices closely related to human health in high temperature warning indicators. They investigated the number of days, intensity, length of season and impacted area of extreme high temperatures with daily maximum temperature reaching or exceeding 35°C and 40°C. They found that from 1961 to 2022, the number of days and length of season with temperatures exceeding 35°C and 40°C in the summer half year of China showed an increasing trend, and the area affected by high temperatures has been continuously expanding. In 2022, there was a sudden increase in high temperatures exceeding 40°C, with the number of days in Eastern China increasing by about 2 days, and the season extending by over 5 days.

Based on the model results that participated in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), the team utilized the model climate sensitivity combined with the annual temperature cycle bias correction method to project the future changes in extreme high temperature warning indicators over China under different global warming levels. The results show that after bias correction, the increasing trends for the number of days and length of season with temperatures exceeding 35°C and 40°C become more pronounced. “This indicates that the increase in these indicators will be more severe than originally anticipated” they said.

As global warming intensifies, the high temperature days and length of season are projected to increase non-linearly, while the intensity of high temperatures is expected to increase linearly. “For every 1°C increase in global temperature, the intensity of high temperatures is projected to rise by approximately 1.4°C” they said.

Meanwhile, as global warming, the area affected by high temperatures is expanding, with the major hotspot for China located in the eastern and northwestern regions. In the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, when the global temperature rises by 1.5°C, the number of days with temperatures exceeding 40°C will increase by about 0.5 days. However, at a 2°C level, this increase could reach 2-4 days, and at a 3°C level, it could even reach 6-8 days. This means that extreme temperatures above 40°C, which have been rare in the past, may become common in the future with global warming. At a global temperature rise of 5 ° C, parts of China are likely to experience extreme high temperatures for most of the year.

See the article:

Zhang Y, Sun Y, Hu T. 2024. Changes in extreme high temperature warning indicators over China under different global warming levels. Science China Earth Sciences, 67(6): 1895–1909, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-023-1299-1

Changes in warning indicators at 40°C high temperatures over China based on the CMIP6 multi-model ensemble projection under the global warming levels of 1.5°C, 2°C, 3°C, 4°C and 5°C 

This figure displays the spatial changes of various indicators relative to the current climate under different global warming levels after bias correction. The black symbols display newly emerged areas of high temperatures. This illustrates that with global warming, the area affected by 40°C extreme high temperature is expanding, the number of days (TX40d), the intensity (TXx), and the length of season (TX40l) are all increasing.

CREDIT

©Science China Press

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JOURNAL

Science China Earth Sciences

DOI

10.1007/s11430-023-1299-1 

Inexpensive microplastic monitoring through porous materials and machine learning

NAGOYA UNIVERSITY

 

IMAGE: 

INEXPENSIVE MICROPLASTIC MONITORING THROUGH POROUS MATERIALS AND MACHINE LEARNING

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CREDIT: REIKO MATSUSHITA

Optical analysis and machine learning techniques can now readily detect microplastics in marine and freshwater environments using inexpensive porous metal substrates. Details of the method, developed by researchers at Nagoya University with collaborators at the National Institute for Materials Sciences in Japan and others, are published in the journal Nature Communications. 

Detecting and identifying microplastics in water samples is essential for environmental monitoring but is challenging due in part to the structural similarity of microplastics with natural organic compounds derived from biofilms, algae, and decaying organic matter. Existing detection methods generally require complex separation techniques that are time-consuming and costly. 

“Our new method can simultaneously separate and measure the abundance of six key types of microplastics - polystyrene, polyethylene, polymethylmethacrylate, polytetrafluoroethylene, nylon and polyethylene terephthalate,” says Dr. Olga Guselnikova of the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS). 

The system uses a porous metal foam to capture microplastics from solution and detect them optically using a process called surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). “The SERS data obtained is highly complex,” explains Dr. Joel Henzie of NIMS, “but it contains discernible patterns that can be interpreted using modern machine learning techniques.” 

To analyse the data, the team created a neural network computer algorithm called SpecATNet. This algorithm learns how to interpret the patterns in the optical measurements to identify the target microplastics more quickly and with higher accuracy than traditional methods. 

“Our procedure holds immense potential for monitoring microplastics in samples obtained directly from the environment, with no pretreatment required, while being unaffected by possible contaminants that could interfere with other methods,” says Professor Yusuke Yamauchi of Nagoya University. 

The researchers hope their innovation will greatly assist society in evaluating the significance of microplastic pollution on public health and the health of all organisms in marine and freshwater environments. By creating inexpensive microplastic sensors and open-source algorithms to interpret data, they hope to enable the rapid detection of microplastics, even in resource-limited labs. 

Currently, materials required for the new system bring cost savings of 90 to 95% compared to commercially available alternatives. The group plans to drive the cost of these sensors down even further and make the methods simple to replicate without the need for expensive facilities. In addition, the researchers hope to expand the capability of the SpecATNet neural network to detect a broader range of microplastics and even accept different kinds of spectroscopic data in addition to SERS data. 

Figure 2 (IMAGE)

NAGOYA UNIVERSITY

Metal foam and a 1-yen coin for scale. Bottom left: SEM image of a silver foam showing macropores used to capture microplastics from solution. Bottom middle: SEM image of the nanoscale pores used to capture light and enhance the chemical signal of the microplastics.
Right: SEM image of the metal foam exposed to polystyrene beads, PET fibers, algae and soil.

CREDIT

Olga Guselnikova and Joel Henzie

An unknown liquid sample containing various microplastics (left) is passed over the porous metal surface. Raman spectroscopy is then performed on the metal foam surface (right), and the scattered light is analyzed with a machine learning algorithm trained to accurately identify microplastics in complex mixtures.

CREDIT

Olga Guselnikova

JOURNAL

Nature Communications

DOI

10.1038/s41467-024-48148-w 

ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE

28-May-2024

 

Pharmacists prove effective, less costly care option for minor illnesses

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY

SPOKANE, Wash. – Greater use of pharmacists to treat minor illnesses could potentially save millions of dollars in health care costs, according to new research led by Washington State University. The findings also indicate a way to improve healthcare access by expanding availability of pharmacists’ clinical services including prescribing medications, amid an ongoing shortage of primary care providers.

The study found that care for a range of minor health issues – including urinary tract infections, shingles, animal bites and headaches – costs an average of about $278 less when treated in pharmacies compared to patients with similar conditions treated at “traditional sites” of primary care, urgent care or emergency room settings. Follow-ups with pharmacy patients showed that almost all their illnesses had resolved after the initial visit with a pharmacist.

Notably, if all of the illnesses in the three-year study that were treated at a traditional site of care had been treated by community pharmacists, it would have saved an estimated $23 million in health care expenses.

“The findings show that pharmacists, especially in the outpatient community setting, are a viable solution to part of our patient access to care problem in our state and country,” said lead author Julie Akers, a WSU pharmacy researcher. “Pharmacists are trained and qualified to do this work, and unfortunately in many settings, highly underutilized. And they could have a huge impact on how fast patients access care, which can minimize the complexity and the progression of their condition.”

For this study, published in the journal ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research, Akers’ research team analyzed data of nearly 500 patients who received care from 175 pharmacists at 46 pharmacies across the state of Washington from 2016 to 2019. The team also followed up with the patients 30 days after their pharmacy visits to assess treatment effectiveness. They then compared these cases with insurance data of patients from the same time period with conditions of the same type and level who had sought care at a doctor’s office, urgent care facility or emergency room.

The researchers found that for almost every minor illness in the study, pharmacy care was not only effective but cost much less, sometimes dramatically so. For instance, the study found that for an uncomplicated case of urinary tract infection, normally treated with antibiotics, a first visit to an emergency room cost on average $963, a primary care physician’s office, $121 – at the pharmacy, the average was $30.

The study was conducted by a team of pharmacy researchers in coordination with an advisory board of physicians. The findings highlight the advantages of expanding the physician-pharmacist collaboration that allows some pharmacists to directly prescribe medications.

Washington state was the first in the nation to enact the “prescribing authority” in 1979 which enables a licensed prescriber such as a physician to delegate a pharmacist to prescribe and administer certain drugs.

As part of their education, pharmacists are trained in clinical evaluation of common illnesses, and as Akers pointed out, they already regularly make recommendations for conditions that can be treated with over-the-counter medications. The prescribing authority allows them to take their current practice to the next level if over-the-counter medicines are not enough.

Pharmacists also often refer patients to different providers for conditions that are complex, need further testing or cannot be resolved through medication alone. For less serious conditions, this study shows that pharmacists with prescribing authority can help fill a gap in care, especially in rural areas or at times of the day when there are few options available, Akers said.

“We’ve seen over time, more and more patients struggle to get access to care,” she said. “Over the past couple of decades, we’ve seen inappropriate use of urgent cares and emergency departments for things that really didn't need go to that level of service.”

There is more work to do to be able to expand this treatment at pharmacies, Akers added. This includes creating greater public awareness, so people expect this type of service at pharmacies as they now do with vaccinations. Pharmacies also need to address the financial sustainability of providing these expanded patient care services, and Akers hopes the team’s next project will involve helping pharmacies transition to medical billing, which could greatly increase access to care for patients without the ability to pay out of pocket for care.

The current study was supported by a grant from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation. Additional co-authors include Jennifer Miller, Linda MacLean, Bidisha Mandal and Clark Hogan of WSU as well as Brandy Seignemartin of Idaho State University.  

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JOURNAL

ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research

DOI

10.2147/CEOR.S452743 

STOP SEA BED MINING

Global activity of seafloor biodiversity mapped for the first time

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON

 

IMAGE: 

COMMON RAGWORM FOUND ON SEABED MIXING SEDIMENT.

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CREDIT: MARTIN SOLAN

A team of scientists from the USA and UK has used artificial intelligence (AI) to map the activities of seafloor invertebrate animals, such as worms, clams and shrimps, across all the oceans of the world.

The research, led by Texas A&M University (USA) with investigators from the University of Southampton (UK) and Yale University (USA), combined large datasets, with machine learning techniques, to reveal the critical factors that support and maintain the health of marine ecosystems.

Marine sediments are extremely diverse and cover the majority of the Earth’s surface. By stirring up and churning the seafloor—a process known as ‘bioturbation’—small creatures living in the sediments can have a big impact in regulating global carbon, nutrient and biogeochemical cycles. Rather like worms turning and enriching the soil in our garden, invertebrates are doing the same on the seabed – improving conditions for ocean life.

Understanding how these processes operate in different regions of the world gives scientists important insights into what is driving the health of oceans and how they may respond to climate change.

This latest study hugely expands this knowledge by, for the first time, providing a way to predict and map the contributions seafloor creatures make at any point around the world.

Findings of the study are published in the journal Current Biology.

"Knowing how bioturbation links to other aspects of the environment means that we are now better equipped to predict how these systems might change in response to climate change," commented  Dr Shuang Zhang, lead researcher and assistant professor at the Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University.

Dr Martin Solan, Professor of Marine Ecology at the University of Southampton adds: “We have known for some time that ocean sediments are extremely diverse and play a fundamental role in mediating the health of the ocean, but only now do we have insights about where, and by how much, these communities contribute. For example, the way in which these communities affect important aspects of ocean ecosystems are very different between the coastlines and the deep sea.”

The researchers used existing datasets on sea creature activity and the depth of their sediment mixing – data sourced from hundreds of test points around the world. By using this information to train from, and relating it to a variety of environmental conditions, the AI was able to make accurate predictions about what is happening in sediment on the seafloor, at any point globally.

The team found that a complex combination of a variety of environment conditions influence bioturbation and that this varies around the world. A multitude of factors, such as water depth, temperature, salinity, distance from land, animal abundance and nutrient availability all play a role. In turn, this affects the activity of invertebrate animals and ultimately the health of ocean ecosystems.

"Through our analysis, we discovered that not just one, but multiple environmental factors jointly influence seafloor bioturbation and the ecosystem services these animals provide," Dr Lidya Tarhan, Assistant Professor at the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Yale University, said. "This includes factors that directly impact food supply, underlying the complex relationships that sustain marine life, both today and in Earth’s past."

The team hope their study will help with developing strategies to mitigate habitat deterioration and protect marine biodiversity.

“Our analysis suggests that the present global network of marine protected areas does not sufficiently protect these important seafloor processes, indicating that protection measures need to be better catered to promote ecosystem health.” added Dr Lidya Tarhan.

Ends

Mud Shrimp found in sediment on the seabed.

Common Ragworm.

Close up of head of Common Ragworm.

CREDIT

Martin Solan

Notes to Editors

1. The paper ‘Global distribution and environmental correlates of marine bioturbation’ is published in the journal Current Biology and available to view at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.065
    
2. Images of creatures commonly found on the seabed can be found at: https://safesend.soton.ac.uk/pickup?claimID=NpxZ8rzeEmj6W7dK&claimPasscode=KdUnBwMKpjiGVCTa&emailAddr=176380
    
3. The University of Southampton drives original thinking, turns knowledge into action and impact, and creates solutions to the world’s challenges. We are among the top 100 institutions globally (QS World University Rankings 2024). Our academics are leaders in their fields, forging links with high-profile international businesses and organisations, and inspiring a 22,000-strong community of exceptional students, from over 135 countries worldwide. Through our high-quality education, the University helps students on a journey of discovery to realise their potential and join our global network of over 200,000 alumni. www.southampton.ac.uk
    
4. For more on the School of Ocean and Earth Science at the University of Southampton visit: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/about/faculties-schools-departments/school-of-ocean-and-earth-science
    
5. For more on Texas A&M University visit: https://www.tamu.edu/index.html
    
6. For more on Yale University visit: https://www.yale.edu/

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JOURNAL

Current Biology

DOI

10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.065 

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Computational simulation/modeling

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

Animals

ARTICLE TITLE

Global distribution and environmental correlates of marine bioturbation

ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE

22-May-2024

 

Does the requirement to offer retirement plans help workers save for retirement?

WILEY

A study published in Contemporary Economic Policy reveals significant benefits gained from the first implementation of the state-run retirement savings program in Oregon, known as OregonSaves, in 2017.

OregonSaves is available to Oregon workers whose employers do not offer a workplace retirement plan, self-employed individuals, and others. Businesses that do not offer retirement plans are required to automatically enroll employees, but workers can opt out at any time.

The analysis found that the program substantially boosted retirement savings among previously uncovered private workers. Investigators also found a 12% increase in Individual Retirement Account ownership among Oregon workers after the program’s roll-out.

Of particular note, there were considerable gains for lower-income, single, older workers, as well as workers of very small-size firms who previously lacked retirement savings plans.

“State-mandated retirement savings policies are an effective tool to narrow savings gaps, especially among low-income workers,” said corresponding author Ngoc Dao, PhD, of Kean University. “The Oregon model proves significant public policy gain in boosting savings for retirement among workers who lack access to workplace retirement savings plans.”

URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/coep.12648

 

Additional Information
NOTE: The information contained in this release is protected by copyright. Please include journal attribution in all coverage. For more information or to obtain a PDF of any study, please contact: Sara Henning-Stout, newsroom@wiley.com.

About the Journal
First published in 1982, Contemporary Economic Policy publishes scholarly research and analysis on important policy issues facing society. The journal provides insight into the complexity of policy decisions and communicates evidence-based solutions in a form accessible to economists and policy makers. Contemporary Economic Policy provides a forum for debate by enhancing our understanding of key issues and methods used for policy analysis.

About Wiley
Wiley is a knowledge company and a global leader in research, publishing, and knowledge solutions. Dedicated to the creation and application of knowledge, Wiley serves the world’s researchers, learners, innovators, and leaders, helping them achieve their goals and solve the world's most important challenges. For more than two centuries, Wiley has been delivering on its timeless mission to unlock human potential. Visit us at Wiley.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

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JOURNAL

Contemporary Economic Policy

DOI

10.1111/coep.12648 

ARTICLE TITLE

Does a Requirement to Offer Retirement Plans Help Low-Income Workers Save for Retirement? Early Evidence from the OregonSaves Program