Black plastic utensils can increase the risk of cancer

The study was conducted by Toxic-Free Future and the Amsterdam Institute for Life-Environment at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, published in October in the journal Chemosphere. Scientists point out that black plastic used in children’s toys, food containers, kitchen utensils and meat trays can contain alarming levels of toxic flame retardants. These substances can leach from electronic products during recycling.

“One of the products with the highest flame retardant content is black plastic beads used to make children’s toys, containing up to 22,800 parts per million of flame retardants, accounting for nearly 3% of the weight,” said Megan Liu, department manager. Toxic-Free Future’s research and policy, said.

According to this study, a black plastic sushi tray contained 11,900 parts per million of the flame retardant decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE), which belongs to the dangerous group of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). The April study found that people with the highest blood levels of PBDEs were three times more likely to die from cancer than people with low levels.

The US Department of Homeland Security has completely banned decaBDE by 2021 due to links to cancer, endocrine problems, thyroid problems, fetal development, neurological function, reproductive and systemic toxicity. immunity. However, decaBDE was found in 70% of collected samples, at levels between 5 and 1,200 times higher than the European Union’s limit of 10 parts per million.

For black plastic kitchen utensils, researchers estimated a person could be exposed to an average of 34.7 parts per million of decaBDE per day. Toxicologist Linda Birnbaum, former director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Toxicology Program, said it’s especially remarkable to find flame retardants that are no longer approved for use. fear. She recommends not using black plastic for kitchen utensils or toys.

The North American Flame Retardant Alliance (NAFRA), which represents manufacturers and users of flame retardant chemicals, said the new study does not take into account actual levels of infection in humans. The NAFRA director noted that the use of flame retardants in electronics and home appliances has contributed to reducing fire-related injuries and deaths. According to him, recycling plastic from electronic waste is an important component of the circular economy, helping to conserve resources and reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste.

The study only looked at black plastic, so it’s not possible to determine whether other plastic colors increase cancer risk. The scientists also did not name any of the brands tested.

Some studies from other countries point to similar problems with black plastic. Scientists point out that flame retardants can leak from kitchen utensils into food, seeping into children’s saliva through sucking on toys.

Experts say there are many ways consumers can reduce the cancer risk from flame retardants. The method includes replacing plastic kitchen utensils with stainless steel. Manufacturers should have a policy of removing flame retardants from products.

Research shows that when toxic chemicals are allowed to be used in products such as TVs and electronic devices, they are highly likely to be recycled, unintentionally posing a risk of contamination in products later in the chain. supply.