Writing Tips Percent, Per Cent and Percentages - Get Proofed!

Writing Tips Percent, Per Cent and Percentages - Get Proofed! Percent, Per Cent and Percentages We’ve been told that putting 110% into anything is mathematically impossible. But we’re proofreaders, not mathematicians! As such, we’re not going to let math get in the way of putting everything we have into solving your writing problems. Today, for example, we’re looking at writing percentages. Words and Numbers As with any numbers, percentages can be written as either words or numbers: Words: Around nine percent of people dislike coffee. Numbers: Approximately 91% of people like coffee. The examples above reflect three important guidelines when writing percentages: Numbers up to ten are usually written as words, while larger numbers are written as numerals When a percentage is written as a word, it should be followed by â€Å"percent† When a percentage is written as a numeral, it should be followed by the â€Å"%† sign However, this can vary depending on the context (e.g., measurements in scientific writing are almost always written as numerals, even for numbers under ten). It’s therefore a good idea to check your style guide for advice on how to write percentages. Percent vs. Per Cent The question we’re asked most often about writing percentages is whether to use â€Å"percent† or â€Å"per cent.† Ultimately, though, this doesn’t really matter: both are accepted spellings of this term. Again, we recommend checking your style guide if you have one, as some publishers and colleges have a preference. And â€Å"percent† is much more common these days than â€Å"per cent.† But other than that, the main thing is picking one spelling and using it consistently throughout your work. Percent vs. per cent When to Use â€Å"Percentage† Finally, we have the word â€Å"percentage.† Although similar to â€Å"percent,† this word has a slightly different usage: â€Å"Percent† is used with specific numbers, while â€Å"percentage† is used when referring to a general or non-specific amount of something. For example: A small percentage of the forms were coffee stained. Almost seven percent of the forms were coffee stained. As shown above, you should use â€Å"percentage† when the exact amount is unspecified.

Health Effects of PBDE Absorption

Health Effects of PBDE Absorption Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) is a common flame retardant used to reduce the risk of fire in a wide variety of products, such as childrens pajamas and your computer. PBDEs are excellent flame retardants, but the chemicals have been accumulating in the environment and in human bodies. Relatively recent reports have indicated that exposure to low concentrations of these chemicals may result in irreparable damage to the nervous and reproductive systems. The European Union will ban two of the three most common PBDE formulations starting in 2004. California is the only U.S. state to take action, passing a law to ban certain PBDEs, but not until 2008. Several Japanese electronics companies will be phasing PBDEs from their products. Other countries and individual manufacturers are taking steps to eliminate their use of PBDEs. PBDE concentrations are 10-20 times higher in North Americans than in Europeans. European concentrations are about twice those of Japanese levels. Calculations performed by Ronald Hites of Indiana University show that body concentrations have been exponentially increasing, with a doubling time of 4 to 5 years. PBDE-containing products are being phased out, but the chemicals remain a health concern because they are so persistent in the body and in the environment.