284 - Black plastics may contain toxic compounds that can leach into food, experts say
Sameer Chhabra · CBC Radio · Posted: Nov 30, 2024 4:00 AM EST | Last Updated: December 20
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/whitecoat/black-plastic-the-dose-explainer-1.7390842?cmp=newsletter_CBC%20Newsletter_13038_1808972Takeout containers and utensils made of
some recycled black plastics may contain chemicals used in electronics, according to a recently published study. (Althea Manasan/CBC)
Certain products made from black plastic — like the kind found in takeout containers, coffee lids and even kitchen utensils — are coming under fire by experts because of a recent study that found a lack of regulation around recycling is causing toxic chemicals to show up in household plastics.
In a study published in the journal Chemosphere in October, researchers from the U.S. and the Netherlands found brominated fire retardants (BFR) used to strengthen plastics for electronics in household products made with recycled black plastics in the U.S."In many cases, when we come across black plastics in our kitchen, they are made from recycled electronic components that include cell phones, old computers and laptops that are not intended for human food applications," said Tizazu Mekonnen, a University of Waterloo chemical engineering professor who was not involved in the study.
The study estimated that using contaminated kitchen utensils contributed to the ingestion of 34,700 nanograms of fire retardant decabromodiphenyl ether per day. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's reference dose — or recommended limit — of 420,000 nanograms per day for an average 60 kilogram adult.
"The health impacts are not yet fully understood, but the evidence that's emerging is not good news," said Bhargava, an Ontario family physician and public health and medical resident at the University of Ottawa who sits on the board of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment.
Mekonnen says the risk of harmful health effects is increased when black plastic products are heated up, like when containers are microwaved, or when utensils are used on a grill or stove.
