Cancerous Flame Retardants in Black Plastic, Study Says
October 03, 2024 | Source: Consumer Affairs | by Dieter Holger
Black plastic is often full of cancerous, hormone disrupting flame retardants, a first-of-its-kind study finds.
A sushi tray, spatula and beaded necklace are among black plastic items that tested with high levels of the toxic chemicals, according to a study published in the journal Chemosphere and sponsored by environmental nonprofit Toxic Free Future.
Flame retardants are linked to cancer, brain damage and reproductive difficulties.
The study found flame retardants in 17 of the 20 products that were tested, with total concentrations ranging from 40 to 22,800 parts per million.
By comparison, a California law that went into effect in 2020 limited flame retardants in children’s products, mattresses and upholstered furniture to 1,000 parts per million.
The banned flame retardant deca-BDE was also present at levels from 5 to 1,200 times greater than the European Union’s limit of 10 parts per million.
The toxic chemicals are getting in black plastic through electronics and poor recycling practices, said Megan Liu, study co-author and science and policy manager at Toxic-Free Future.
“Companies continue to use toxic flame retardants in plastic electronics, and that’s resulting in unexpected and unnecessary toxic exposures,” she said. “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 findings come ahead of a November summit in South Korea where the U.S. and other nations will negotiate a treaty to manage plastic waste.
“The Biden administration must support a treaty that will end the use of the most harmful plastics and their toxic additives, even in recycled plastics,” said Megan Liu, study co-author and science and policy manager at Toxic-Free Future.
“The health of women and children must be prioritized over the chemical industry profits,” she added. “We need less poison plastic, more safer chemicals and materials, and an end to plastic ingredient secrecy.”