Research Shows that Black Plastic Contains Harmful Flame Retardant

During recycling, according to a recent study, toxic flame retardants used to prevent fires in electronics are getting into the black-colored plastic that’s commonly used in takeout containers, children’s toys, kitchen utensils and grocery meat and produce trays. The most dangerous flame retardants were the ones used in the electronic cases of electronic devices like televisions. These items may be contaminated with worrisome amounts of toxic flame retardants, which have serious adverse health effects. If you or your child was harmed by black-colored plastic, you should call the seasoned Chicago-based product liability attorneys of Moll Law Group about whether you have a viable claim. Billions have been recovered in cases with which we’ve been involved. We represent consumers nationwide.

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The research study, conducted by Toxic-Free and the Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment at Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, was recently published in the journal Chemosphere. It examined black plastics, but the researchers didn’t specify the brand names of what was tested. However there have been studies in other countries that similarly demonstrated that black plastic was contaminated with flame retardants.

It’s common for people to own electronic devices like gaming systems, TVs, smartphones, computers and tablets that include flame retardants in order to prevent fires. Flame retardants are also used in chairs, car upholstery, yoga mats, and padded baby items, and they can spread into the air and attach to food and water, which might then be consumed, or dust. When these items are put into recycling, they can contaminate other things

The researchers evaluated 204 products of all kinds for bromine, and more closely looked at those 20 with the highest levels. Bromine is a key indicator of the use of flame retardants, which are particularly worrisome because they’re toxic and tend to accumulate within the body over years.

There is no safe degree of flame retardants in black plastic. One paper determined that the U.S. health care system was burdened by $159 billion in costs in 2018 due to flame retardants. People may wind up consuming them when they use black plastic covered kitchenware and children may mouth black plastic covered toy. According to the lead study author, the product with the highest amounts of flame retardants were children’s black plastic pirate coin beads. It was almost 3% flame retardant (22,800 parts per million). One product, a black plastic sushi tray included 11,900 parts per million of the flame retardant decabromodiphenyl ether, which is part of the polybrominated diphenyl ethers class of flame retardants; those with the highest level of this class of flame retardant have been found 300% more likely to die from cancer as those with the lowest levels according to one study. It’s important for consumers to realize that the EPA banned decabromodiphenyl ether in 2021 once it had been linked to cancer, reproductive toxicity, immune system toxicity, thyroid and endocrine problems, and fetal development issues, and issues around child development and neurobehavioral function. Even so the substance was found in 70% of the tested products in amounts that were 5 -1200 times the EU limit.

The researchers estimate that, in a single day, someone could be exposed to 34.7 parts per million of decabromodiphenyl ether due to exposure to flame retardant-contaminated black plastic in kitchen utensils. Consumers have been warned not to use black plastic for food contact and not to buy toys that have black plastic parts.

You may be able to reduce your risk of exposure by replacing plastic kitchen utensils with stainless steel ones or plastic free items and shopping more carefully. The more you clean and wash your hands and ventilate, the more likely you can remove contaminated dust from products. Never microwave or heat black plastic containers holding food; the heat can cause chemicals to leach into the food.

If you believe that you or a loved one were harmed by black plastic in containers or on other products, call the seasoned Chicago-based product liability attorneys of Moll Law Group to go over your legal options. For a free consultation, please complete our online form or call us at 312.462.1700.