A recent study has raised alarms over the presence of hazardous chemicals in black plastic household items, revealing that 85% of these products contain flame retardant chemicals. Conducted by a team of researchers, the study tested 203 items and discovered that many contained a mix of different flame retardants. These findings suggest significant exposure risks to consumers, highlighting gaps in chemical regulation and recycling practices. The research, led by Megan Liu, underscores the pressing need for systemic change in manufacturing and recycling processes to ensure consumer safety.
The study began by screening black plastic items for bromine, a chemical component found in certain flame retardants. If an item contained more than 50 parts per million of bromine, further tests were conducted for brominated and organophosphate flame retardants. Among the startling discoveries was the presence of decaBDE, a type of brominated flame retardant banned in 2021. This chemical was found in quantities ranging from 5 to 1,200 times greater than the European Union's limit of 10 parts per million.
“These are clearly not things we want to come into contact with.” – Jaimie Ross, PhD
Jaimie Ross, PhD, an assistant professor of neuroscience at the University of Rhode Island, expressed her surprise at these findings. The study revealed that 65% of the tested products contained a combination of both classes of flame retardants. A particularly concerning example was a necklace, which contained 22,800 milligrams per kilogram of flame retardant, equating to about 2.3% of its total weight.
“But I wasn’t aware they were bypassing restrictions and were incorporated into household products that they obviously do not need to be in, that recycling was not as strict as it should be to keep out these flame retardants.” – Jaimie Ross, PhD
The continued presence of decaBDE in household items poses a significant exposure risk. Megan Liu estimated that individuals could be exposed to nearly 35 parts per million of decaBDE daily. This situation reflects a failure on the part of manufacturers to track the sources of their plastics and highlights deficiencies in the recycling system's ability to filter out plastics treated with banned chemicals.
“We know flame retardants leach out and that kids put toys in their mouths,” – Megan Liu
The research underscores a broader issue with chemical regulation in recycling processes. Although manufacturers have replaced decaBDE with other flame retardants in electronics, these alternatives are also linked to severe health risks such as neurotoxicity, cancer, and reproductive harm.
“Some of the greatest concerns are cancer, neurodevelopmental effects, and reproductive and developmental effects,” – Linda S. Birnbaum, PhD
Linda S. Birnbaum, PhD, a scholar in residence at Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment, emphasized that this study serves as a "wake-up call" for both manufacturers and recycling authorities to drive systemic change. The unintentional introduction of chemicals into the recycling stream calls for stricter regulations and oversight.
“That particular product contained four different types of flame retardants.” – Megan Liu
Among the tested items, one product stood out for containing four different types of flame retardants, illustrating the complexity and potential danger consumers face with everyday items. The findings suggest an urgent need for re-evaluating the materials used in household products and enhancing transparency regarding chemical contents.
“I would stop using black plastic used with food.” – Linda S. Birnbaum, PhD
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