Do you use black plastic items such as spatulas or sushi trays in your kitchen? While black plastic items may look more appealing than other colours, a new study has found several potential health risks associated with the use of most black plastics in the kitchen. Conducted in the US, scientists from Toxic-Free Future (a non-profit organization) and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam found high levels of cancer-causing, hormone-disrupting, flame-retardant chemicals in a variety of household products made with black plastics. This includes everyday items such as food service ware (containers, bowls, plates, cups, and other items used for one-time use), kitchen utensils, and even black plastic toys.
The study found that plastics used in electronics, such as televisions, often contain toxic chemicals. These plastics, typically containing high concentrations of toxic flame retardants, may be recycled to make household items such as kitchen utensils. Recycled electronic components that use flame retardants tend to be black, which is why black plastic utensils are more likely to contain such toxic chemicals.
“Flame-retardant-containing electronics, such as the outer casings of large TVs, are being recycled into food storage containers and utensils,” said Heather Stapleton, the Ronie-Richele Garcia-Johnson Distinguished Professor at Duke University.
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Megan Liu, study co-author and science and policy manager at Toxic-Free Future explained, “These cancer-causing chemicals shouldn’t be used, to begin with, but with recycling, they are entering our environment and our homes in more ways than one. The high levels we found are concerning.”
The study, published in the journal Chemosphere, tested 203 household products made of black plastic, and 85% of them had toxic flame-retardant chemicals. Although they did not disclose the specific brands or manufacturers, the study found the highest levels of toxic flame retardants in a sushi tray, spatula, and a beaded necklace.
According to the study, health concerns related to flame retardants include:
- Carcinogenicity: The ability or tendency of a chemical to induce tumours (benign or malignant).
- Endocrine Disruption: Changes in the activity or production of hormones due to chemicals.
- Neurotoxicity: Damage to the brain or peripheral nervous system caused by exposure to natural or man-made toxic substances.
- Reproductive Toxicity: Adverse effects on sexual function and fertility in adult males and females, as well as developmental toxicity in offspring.
- Developmental Toxicity: Any structural or functional alteration caused by the environmental insult that interferes with normal growth, differentiation, development, and/or behaviour.
According to experts, it is advised to replace your concerning kitchenware or use black-coated ones less.
