Which black plastic food contact items turns toxic and cause cancer?

New research suggests some black plastic items could be hazardous to your health. Findings show household products made with recycled black plastic including food service ware, kitchen utensils, and toys contain high levels of flame-retardant chemicals linked to cancer.

A new peer-reviewed Chemosphere study by Toxic-Free Future and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam found high levels of toxic, cancer-causing flame retardant chemicals in household products.

Black plastic items may contain cancer-causing chemicals

“Companies still use toxic flame retardants in plastic electronics, leading to unexpected and unnecessary exposures,” explains Megan Liu, study co-author and science and policy manager at Toxic-Free Future. “These cancer-causing chemicals shouldn’t be used, but with recycling, they are entering our environment and homes. The high levels we found are concerning.”

The study highlights gaps in regulations on toxic chemicals in plastics, particularly in electronics like televisions. When these high-concentration plastics are recycled, they can be repurposed into everyday items that don’t require flame retardancy. Liu emphasizes the potential dangers for vulnerable populations, including children and women of childbearing age.

Health concerns surrounding flame retardants include carcinogenicity, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity. Heather Stapleton, the Ronie-Richele Garcia-Johnson Distinguished Professor at Duke University, said, “These results demonstrate that flame retardant electronics, like large TV casings, are being recycled into food storage containers and utensils. While developing sustainable approaches to address our plastic waste is critical, we should ensure we don’t contribute to additional exposures to these hazardous chemicals in recycled materials.”

High levels of toxic flame retardants detected

The study found high levels of toxic flame retardants in common items like sushi trays, spatulas, and beaded necklaces. Researchers detected these chemicals in 85% of the products, with concentrations up to 22,800 ppm for deca-BDE, banned in many places. The concentrations exceeded the European Union’s limit of 10 ppm by 5 to 1,200 times.

Researchers found that styrene-based plastics in electronics contained higher levels of toxic flame retardants than polypropylene and nylon. This supports their hypothesis that these chemicals enter household products through recycling electronic waste.

As the United States prepares for the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations in November 2024, advocacy for stricter regulations on hazardous chemicals in plastics is growing. Toxic-Free Future launched a petition urging the U.S. government to prioritize public health over the chemical industry’s interests. Liu asserts, “The Biden administration must support a treaty that will end the use of the most harmful plastics and their toxic additives, even in recycled plastics. The solutions are clear. The health of women and children must be prioritized over chemical industry profits.”

States are banning harmful flame retardants

In response to growing concerns, several states have begun banning certain flame retardants. Washington state has enacted the strongest ban in the nation, effective January 2025, restricting all organohalogen flame retardants in plastic enclosures for indoor electronics. Similarly, New York has a ban set for December 2024.

Toxic-Free Future’s earlier studies indicated that most televisions contained toxic flame retardants, with companies replacing banned substances like polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) with new variants. These chemicals can leach out and pollute homes and waterways.

Retailers and brands are adopting safer chemical policies to eliminate hazardous substances. According to Toxic-Free Future’s Retailer Report Card, many leading retailers are committed to reducing and eliminating dangerous chemicals like organohalogen flame retardants. Notably, Best Buy announced that all new models of its exclusive brand televisions will not contain toxic organohalogen flame retardants, opting for safer alternatives.

“Major retailers must ensure their products, from children’s toys to kitchen spatulas, don’t introduce banned cancer-causing chemicals into our homes,” said Mike Schade, Toxic-Free Future’s director of Mind the Store. “As businesses introduce more recycled materials into products, retailers must require suppliers to test them for hidden toxic chemicals.”

Evidence suggests everyday plastic items may harbour harmful chemicals. Jason Somarelli, PhD, director of research at the Duke Cancer Institute, points out, “We linked additives to changes in cellular processes, like DNA damage. The problem is how many additives coexist in a single product. We may know what each does in isolation, but it’s poorly understood what chemical mixtures do.”

Dr. Gillian Miller, a senior scientist at the Ecology Center, stresses the importance of consumer awareness. “Persistent flame retardants end up everywhere when electronics like computers, phones, TVs, or headphones are obsolete. We need products designed to last, not to be trashed for the next version.”

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