Go to the kitchen, grab the black spatula and throw it in the trash. immediately.
That’s the worrying message from a new study published in the journal Chemosphere. Cooking with plastic utensils has long been considered a concern because heat can transfer chemicals in the plastic to the food you’re about to eat. But researchers now claim that products made from recycled black plastic contain even more toxic ingredients.
The authors of the Chemosphere study found that everyday items made from black recycled plastic, such as kitchen utensils, takeout containers, toys and hair accessories, may contain dangerous levels of flame retardants and other toxic chemicals. was found to be high.
Flame retardants are used in some of the most commonly used products. This is because these black products are made from recycled e-waste, such as discarded televisions and computers, and often contain flame retardants.
Like other plastic utensils, if you use a black plastic spatula when flipping pancakes, the heat can cause the flame retardant to tip over and leach into the flapjack.
“That’s because flame retardants are actually additives, rather than bonded to the plastic polymers they’re added to. Heat can also facilitate the migration of chemicals from the product.” said Megan Liu, co-author of the study and science and policy manager at Toxic-Free Future.
This toxin is not present in all black items. For example, a black silicone spatula does not contain toxins. It is also not present in all black plastic products. The problem is that we can’t tell which plastic things are dangerous and which aren’t.
Why get rid of them now?
If you look at black plastic products and think, “I’ve been using them this long, so it’s okay,” Liu says these products are in for the long haul.
Cooking daily with black plastic items can increase your exposure to toxic chemicals over time.
Toys made with black plastic can be even more harmful to young children whose bodies are still developing.
Louis said studies have shown that if children put the product in their mouths, toxic chemicals can escape from the toys and get into their saliva.
“When you think about flame retardants, that’s really concerning because flame retardants are known to bioaccumulate in our bodies,” she says.
Experts agree that exposure to these flame retardants is not at safe levels.
This buildup can lead to a variety of health problems, including increased risk of cancer, hormonal disruption, effects on fertility, and damage to the brain and nervous system.
How do I know a product is harmful?
It’s almost impossible to know if a black plastic item is contaminated. That’s because these products, which contain recycled e-waste, do not disclose a detailed list of all ingredients and contaminants in the product.
Liu said it is also unclear how many types of flame retardants are contained in these black plastic products.
Some of the products researchers tested in this recent study “contained up to nine harmful chemicals and harmful flame retardants,” she said.
What can we do about it?
Experts advise consumers to avoid purchasing black plastic cookware and other products if possible. If you already have the products in your kitchen or home, we advise you to throw them away.
Many restaurants place to-go orders in black plastic containers. If you obtain these containers, do not use them to reheat food or leftovers; instead, transfer food to glass or ceramic containers.
“The sushi tray was one of the best.” [a] A flame retardant called DecaBDE [Decabromodiphenyl ether]In fact, it has been phased out and banned from the United States for several years, so this is really concerning,” Liu said.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency banned the use of DecaBDE in 2021, saying the chemical has been linked to cancer, endocrine and thyroid issues, and many other illnesses.
What are the safer alternatives?
The safest, non-toxic material choices for kitchenware are wood and stainless steel.
