A recent study published in the journal Chemosphere indicates that it’s time to dispose of black plastic cooking utensils to protect health from cancer and hormonal disorders…
Many black cooking utensils available and widely used today contain flame retardants, which are commonly found in electronic devices. These materials pose a significant risk to users, including the potential for cancer.
Cancer Risks from Cooking Utensils
When recycled, the flame retardants used in electronic devices can end up in products such as kitchen utensils and food containers.
There are many types of flame retardants, with brominated flame retardants (BFRs) being among the most concerning. These are considered toxic and can accumulate in the body’s tissues. BFRs are linked to cancer, hormonal disruption, and neurotoxicity, alongside reproductive and developmental toxicity. BFRs are often found in the plastic casings of electronic devices and printed circuit boards.
Several types of BFRs have been banned in the United States and the European Union since 2007 and 2006, including decabromodiphenyl ether (deca-BDE) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA).
A range of other flame retardants has replaced these banned BFRs and are currently considered safer, such as a type known as organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs).
Many black cooking utensils available and widely used today contain flame retardants – (Photo: Food & Wine).
But what happens when these electronic devices are recycled into products we use daily, such as kitchen utensils? Does the recycling process eliminate BFRs? Or do they persist, posing a potential toxicity threat to us?
Primarily Found in Takeout Containers
Researchers hypothesized that products made from recycled black plastic are more likely to contain flame retardants, including those that have been banned. This is partly because the casings of most electronic devices are black.
While the banned BFRs are no longer allowed in new products, it is highly probable that products containing them still exist in households. When recycled, they reappear in the form of other products we use for eating and cooking.
A total of 203 black plastic products were selected for testing, including food service items (28 products), hair accessories (30 products), kitchen utensils (109 products), and toys (36 products).
These products were purchased from both stores and online, from small and large retailers, including children’s toys, beads, cooking utensils, plastic cutlery, and takeout containers.
After conducting multiple tests on each product to check for flame retardants, data analyses were performed.
The results indicated that a mixture of BFRs and OPFRs was present in 65% of the tested products, with BFRs alone appearing in 20% of products. Products containing multiple types of flame retardants included food serving items, toys, kitchen utensils, and a hair accessory.
The most frequently found flame retardants were those used in TV casings, including some that had previously been banned. One of these was found in large quantities in a sushi tray used for takeout.
Not only were the replacement BFRs found in these products, but some banned BFRs also appeared at concerning levels.
What Can Be Done to Reduce Risk?
If you own electronic devices, you are likely exposed to flame retardants daily, as these chemicals can be inhaled through household dust. When present in products you use for eating and cooking made from recycled electronic waste, you are directly exposed to them. This is similarly true for children’s toys, especially when children put them in their mouths.
When exposed to heat, such as when cooking with these utensils or reheating food in plastic takeout containers, the risk of chemicals leaching increases. Even if you do not reheat food in plastic containers, storing food in these containers can also elevate the risk of exposure.
The concern is that these types of chemicals tend to persist in the body and accumulate over time.
Megan Liu, a science and policy manager at Toxic-Free Future and the lead author of the study, suggests replacing plastic cooking utensils with options made from wood or stainless steel.
If possible, choose non-plastic products to minimize exposure to harmful plastic additives. Additionally, select electronic products with fewer plastic components. At home, regularly clean and ventilate to remove accumulated flame retardants in dust or air.
