Black plastics found to contain harmful flame retardants | The Week

Time to replace your kitchen tools

Black plastics often contain particularly high levels of flame retardants, according to a new study. The chemicals are often used in electronics, but recycling has brought them to products that should not have them. There is no safe level of flame retardant consumption, and the findings point to the uncertainty of plastic recycling as well as the overwhelming use of plastic in daily life.

A study published in the journal Chemosphere found an alarming level of flame retardants in black plastic kitchen tools, along with children's toys and food containers. The most concerning flame retardant found was decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE), banned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2021. Flame retardants (FRs) have been linked to carcinogenicity, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity and reproductive and developmental toxicity. "It was especially concerning that they found retardants that aren't supposed to be used anymore," Linda Birnbaum, toxicologist and former director of the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences and the National Toxicology Program, said to CNN. "I would recommend not using black plastic for food contact materials or buying toys with black plastic pieces." While the study only looked at black plastic, most commonly used in electronics manufacturing, more research is needed to determine whether the risk is the same in other plastics.

Flame retardants are largely used in plastics used in electronic products. "Electronic products are unique because they have a potential ignition source generated by the essential components of the product — circuit boards, transformers, batteries, connectors and many other components," said the American Chemistry Council. In those circumstances, the FRs are beneficial, potentially preventing devastating fires. However, ingesting the chemicals is a different story. "These results clearly demonstrate that flame retardant-containing electronics, such as the outer casings of large TVs, are being recycled into food storage containers and utensils," Heather Stapleton, a professor at Duke University said in a release about the study. "While it's critical to develop sustainable approaches when addressing our plastic waste stream, we should exert some caution and ensure we're not contributing to additional exposures to these hazardous chemicals in recycled materials."

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

The presence of FRs in non-electronic products can be attributed to faulty plastic recycling systems. "Much of the country's plastic waste ends up in landfills, some of it is recycled," said The Washington Post. "Of recycled plastics, there is no guarantee that the plastic is free of harmful chemicals." In addition, experts are "not aware of any safe level of brominated flame retardants," Leonardo Trasande, a professor of pediatrics and population health at NYU Langone Health, said to CNN. Despite this, some argue the risk is overstated. "Manufacturers conduct rigorous research and risk assessments to ensure that flame retardants do not pose significant health risks to consumers," The American Chemistry Council's North American Flame Retardant Alliance said in a statement.

Many experts say avoiding plastic in general can be the best for human health. Many plastics contain bisphenol A and phthalates, which are endocrine disruptors. Heating plastic in a microwave can also cause more chemicals to leach into foods. Microplastics have also been found in almost every corner of the planet including inside the human body. "Replace your plastic kitchen utensils with stainless steel options or choose plastic-free items to help reduce your overall exposure to harmful additives and plastic," Megan Liu, science and policy manager for the environmental group Toxic-Free Future and lead author of the study, said to CNN. "Some manufacturers also have strong policies about removing retardants from their products, so you can also be a careful shopper."

A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com

Devika Rao has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022, covering science, the environment, climate and business. She previously worked as a policy associate for a nonprofit organization advocating for environmental action from a business perspective.

The Week's daily crossword

By The Week StaffPublished 17 October 24

The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle

By The Week StaffPublished 17 October 24

The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle

By The Week StaffPublished 17 October 24

Under the RadarBiya, 91, hasn't been seen in public in weeks, fuelling widespread speculation that he might be dead

By Harriet Marsden, The Week UKPublished 16 October 24

The ExplainerUS poised to approve KarXT as new antipsychotic treatment for disorder, which could offer reduced side-effects

By Harriet Marsden, The Week UKPublished 24 September 24

The ExplainerOnly 1 in 5 people who could benefit from hearing aids use them, according to the Hearing Loss Association of America

By Justin Klawans, The Week USPublished 23 September 24

Under the RadarThe condition of preeclampsia is on the rise and can be deadly if left untreated

By Devika Rao, The Week USPublished 19 September 24

In The Spotlight'Baby brain' has some scientific basis but not in the way we first thought

By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UKPublished 18 September 24

Under the radarNew research shows that the trend is especially high in states where abortion was banned

By Theara Coleman, The Week USPublished 13 September 24

Under the RadarGrowing body of evidence suggests laughter and joy are key ingredients in a patient's recovery – even among adults

By The Week UKPublished 12 September 24

The ExplainerThe mosquito strikes again

By Devika Rao, The Week USPublished 9 September 24