
First-ever Study Finds Cancer-causing Chemicals in Black Plastic Food-contact Items Sold in the U.S.
October 01, 2024 | Source: Toxic-free Future | by Stephanie Stohler
SEATTLE, WA — A new peer-reviewed study in Chemosphere finds, for the first-time, certain toxic chemicals in black plastic food-contact items sold in the United States. Led by scientists from Toxic-Free Future and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the testing uncovered high levels of cancer-causing, hormone-disrupting flame retardant chemicals in a variety of household products made with black plastics including food serviceware, kitchen utensils, and toys.
“Companies continue to use toxic flame retardants in plastic electronics, and that’s resulting in unexpected and unnecessary toxic exposures,” explains Megan Liu, study co-author and science and policy manager at Toxic-Free Future. “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 highlights the consequences of the lack of restrictions on toxic chemicals used in plastics in electronics such as televisions. Recycling of these plastics—typically containing high concentrations of toxic flame retardants—can lead to reuse in household items that do not require flame retardancy. When those household items are high-impact items like toys and kitchen utensils, the result is potentially high and unnecessary dangerous exposures, especially for vulnerable populations such as children and women of childbearing age.
Health concerns related to flame retardants include carcinogenicity, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity, according to the study.
“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,” said Heather Stapleton, the Ronie-Richele Garcia-Johnson Distinguished Professor at Duke University. “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.”