(CNN) – Black-colored plastic used in children’s toys, takeout containers, kitchen utensils, and meat and grocery trays may contain alarming levels of toxic flame retardants that can cause damage. Leaking electronic products during recycling, according to a new study.

“One product containing one of the highest levels of flame retardants was the black plastic pirate coin beads that children wear – they look like Mardi Gras beads but are more for costumes,” said l The study’s lead author, Megan Liu, science and policy lead for Toxic-Free Future. , an environmental advocacy group.

“This particular product contained up to 22,800 parts per million of flame retardants in total, or almost 3 percent by weight,” Liu said. “Children often play with toys for several days in a row until they get tired of them.”

The most dangerous flame retardants the study found in consumer products are the same ones used in electronic boxes on televisions and other electronic devices, Liu said.

“It appears that plastics used to make consumer products have been contaminated with flame retardants due to errors in recycling e-waste,” she said.

One consumer product, a black plastic sushi tray, contained 11,900 parts per million of flame-retardant decabromodiphenyl ether, or decaBDE for short. This chemical is a member of the polybrominated diphenyl ethersor PBDE, class of flame retardants.

People with The highest blood levels of PBDEs were about 300% more likely to die of cancer than people with the lowest levels, one study found. April 2024 study.

DecaBDE was completely banned in 2021 by the US Environmental Protection Agency after being linked to cancer, endocrine and thyroid problems, fetal and child development and neurobehavioral function and toxicity to the reproductive and immune systems.

Despite these restrictions, decaBDE was found in 70% of samples tested, at levels ranging from five to 1,200 times higher than normal. the European Union limit of 10 parts per million, Liu said.

Based on exposure to contaminated black plastic cooking utensils such as spatulas and skimmers, study researchers estimated that a person could be exposed to an average of 34.7 parts per million of decaBDE every day.

“It was particularly concerning that they found retardants that are no longer supposed to be used,” said toxicologist Linda Birnbaum, former director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program.

“I would recommend not using black plastic for food contact materials or buying toys with black plastic parts,” said Birnbaum, who was not involved in the study.

Electronics with flame retardants

Electronic devices that use flame retardants to prevent fires are common in homes in the United States, according to the American Chemistry Council. website: “The average home contains more than 20 electronic products, including televisions, smartphones, computers, game consoles and tablets. These devices are an integral part of our daily lives, but they could pose additional safety risks if flame retardants were not present.

Manufacturers also use flame retardants in sofas, loveseats, recliners, office chairs, car upholstery, baby car seats, carpet padding, padded yoga mats, foam and stuffed items for babies. From there, flame retardants can “escape from products into the air and then attach to dust, food and water, which can be ingested,” according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

The North American Flame Retardant Alliance, which represents manufacturers and users of flame retardant chemicals, told CNN that the new study did not take into account actual levels of exposure in humans or routes of exposure.

“The use of flame retardants in electronics and appliances has been instrumental in reducing fire-related injuries and deaths and preventing property destruction,” said Erich Shea, director of product communications. from NAFRA, in an email.

“Recycling plastics from e-waste is an essential part of a circular economy because it helps conserve resources and reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste,” Shea said.

Birnbaum told CNN that it is well known that plastics that may contain or be exposed to dangerous chemicals should not be recycled.

“The new concern raised in this study is, ‘Look, black plastic that shouldn’t be recycled is finding its way into all kinds of products that lead to human exposure,'” she said.

No safe level for some flame retardants

The study, published Tuesday in the journal Chemospherewas conducted by Toxic-Free and the Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. The study only looked at black plastics and therefore could not determine whether other colors of plastics might also be exposed, Liu said. The researchers also did not cite brand names for the products tested.

“Previous studies have been done in other countries where they found the same problem of black plastic contaminated with flame retardants, as well as studies that show that flame retardants can leach from kitchen utensils into kitchens. food and in children’s saliva through children’s mouths. toys,” Liu said.

“However, no studies specifically looking at food contact materials have been done in the United States,” Liu said. “That’s why we’re really interested in testing toys as well as food contact materials like kitchen utensils. or catering clothing.

Researchers examined 203 consumer products for bromine, a key indicator of flame retardant use, then took a closer look at 20 products with the highest levels.

Brominated flame retardants are of particular concern because of their toxicity and tendency to bioaccumulate or remain in the body for years, said Dr. Leonardo Trasande, professor of pediatrics and population health at NYU Langone Health in New York.

“I don’t know of any safe levels of brominated flame retardants,” said Trasande, who was not involved in the new study. Trasande was the lead author of a paper that revealed that flame retardants were costing the U.S. health care system. $159 billion in 2018 alone.

What consumers can do

Experts say there are ways consumers can reduce the risks of flame retardants.

“Replace your plastic kitchen utensils with stainless steel options or choose plastic-free items to help reduce your overall exposure to harmful additives and plastic,” Liu said. “Some manufacturers also have strict policies about removing retardants from their products, so you can also be a careful buyer.”

Dusting, mopping and vacuuming regularly will remove dust that may be contaminated with plastics and other chemicals of concern in addition to flame retardants, Liu said. Frequent hand washing and adequate ventilation can also help.

“A lot of people wash and reuse the black plastic containers their food comes in,” Birnbaum said. “I tell people to immediately remove the food from that black plastic and put it in a glass, stainless steel or ceramic dish.”

Don’t microwave or heat black plastic containers with food in them, as the heat encourages chemicals to leach into the food they come into contact with, Birnbaum added.

Although these measures will reduce exposure, there is little consumers can do, Liu said.

“What our study shows is that when harmful chemicals like flame retardants are intentionally used in products like televisions and other electronic devices, they can be recycled and unintentionally contaminate other products downstream,” Liu said.

“We need government and corporate policies that limit the use of these harmful chemicals like flame retardants and hazardous plastics, so we can recycle items safely without worrying about chemical contamination and our health. »

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