According to a recent research, using black plastic kitchen utensils raises major health risks since they may contain dangerously high amounts of flame retardants.
The study, published in the journal Chemosphere, reveals the recycling of electronic waste may have contaminated common household goods like food containers and children’s toys.
Toxic Chemicals Found in Everyday Items
After analyzing 203 black plastic products that are often sold in the United States, the study discovered that FRs were present in 85% of the products, with concentrations as high as 22,800 mg/kg.
In order to prevent or delay fires, flame retardants such as organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are often employed in high quantities in electronic products.
How Flame Retardants End Up in Plastic
To stop fires, flame-retardant materials are added to electronics like computer casings and television casings.
But these plastics are frequently recycled and used to create new products, including ones that don’t need to be flame retardant.
Unfortunately, this results in the contamination of everyday items with hazardous substances.
Health risks of flame retardants
Numerous health hazards, such as carcinogenicity, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, and toxicity to the reproductive and developmental systems, are associated with flame retardants.
DecaBDE, a brominated flame retardant that was commonly used in electronic casings until it was banned in the United States in 2021, was one of the compounds found.
According to a research that was published in April 2024 in JAMA Network Open, people who had the highest blood levels of flame-retardant chemicals were 300% more likely to die from cancer than people who had the lowest levels.
Children are particularly susceptible to these substances. For example, toys composed of recycled plastics may leach flame retardants, which could expose children to dangerous levels through ingesting.
Daily Exposure to Toxic Chemicals
The research team estimated that daily exposure to BDE-209 (a form of decaBDE) from contaminated kitchen utensils could reach a median intake of 34,700 mg/day.
This amount significantly exceeds typical intake from other sources, such as dust and diet, indicating a high level of unnecessary and unexpected exposure to toxic chemicals in household environments.
Recommendations for consumers
Experts advise consumers to take preventative measures until stricter rules are put in place.
Products made of black plastic should not be used for cooking or storing food, especially if the plastic is recycled or otherwise put to another use.
Furthermore, consumers have the option to select safer substitutes such as silicone, glass, or stainless steel that don’t include flame retardants or other hazardous substances.
The results of the study highlight the critical need for stronger laws and more transparency in the recycling sector in order to stop dangerous chemicals from finding their way into common household items.
To safeguard public health and guarantee a safer environment for coming generations, awareness and action are essential.
Date : 21 to 25 Oct 2024 (5 Days)
Time : 07:00 PM – 10:00 PM
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