Black plastic used in kitchen utensils, take-out containers and children’s toys may contain potentially carcinogenic chemicals due to faulty recycling practices, a new study finds.
The study — published Tuesday, Oct. 1, in the journal Chemosphere — reviewed 203 consumer products for bromine, which is commonly used to make flame retardants. Toxic brominated flame retardants (BFRs) were found in 85% of the products, with total concentrations ranging up to 22,800 parts per million (ppm) of the chemical, including the banned substance deca-BDE and its substitutes.
Health concerns associated with these toxic flame retardants include carcinogenicity, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity.
Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are commonly found in plastics, televisions and electronics and “are currently the largest marketed group of flame retardants due to their high effectiveness and low cost,” according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
In the study, BFRs were found in bead necklaces and pirate coins worn by children, for example. Other products include sushi trays, meat and grocery trays, kitchenware, hair accessories, toys, Tupperware containers and office supplies.
Researchers estimated that those using contaminated black plastic kitchenware would be exposed to an average of 34,700 ppm decaBDE each day.
“Companies continue to use toxic flame retardants in plastic electronics, resulting in unexpected and unnecessary toxic exposures,” said study co-author Megan Liu, director of science and policy at Toxic-Free Future. “These cancer-causing chemicals should not be used to begin with, but with recycling they enter our environment and our homes in multiple ways. The high levels we found are worrying.”
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“These results clearly show that electronics containing flame retardants, such as the outer casings of large television sets, are being recycled into food storage containers and dishes,” added Heather Stapleton, an environmental chemist and exposure scientist at Duke University. “While it is crucial to develop sustainable approaches to dealing with our plastic waste stream, we should exercise some caution and ensure that we are not contributing to additional exposure to these hazardous chemicals in recycled materials.”
BFRs grew in popularity after polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), previously used as flame retardants, were banned or monitored due to potential health risks.
The study’s researchers noted that only black plastic was studied, so they couldn’t determine whether other colors of plastic could be exposed. The brand of the analyzed products also remained unnamed.
Experts suggest avoiding buying toys made of black plastic and refraining from using black plastic for food contact materials.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education