A recent study has raised concerns about the potential health risks of black plastic household items, including spatulas. The study found that some products, including kitchen utensils, shed toxic chemicals called flame retardants when heated.
However, experts say that the health risks are not clear-cut and more research is needed to fully understand the effects of exposure to these chemicals.
Flame retardants were added to products like TV sets and computers in the 1970s to slow the spread of fire. However, studies have shown that they can be toxic and carcinogenic at high levels of exposure.
The banned chemicals have resurfaced in plastic household items made from recycled electronic waste. Researchers tested over 200 household products and found that 17 of them contained flame retardants, including decaBDE, a chemical linked to cancer.
Exposure to flame retardants has been linked to increased risks of cancer, endocrine disruption, reproductive, and neurodevelopmental health effects. However, the exact mechanisms of these effects are not yet fully understood.
Experts recommend treating black plastic items with care, avoiding heating them in pots or pans, and throwing away chipped or dented ones to minimize exposure. While it may be difficult to avoid black plastic entirely, minimizing exposure is possible by using utensils and containers made from safer materials.
In moderation, some experts are willing to use black plastic items, such as a spatula for cooking eggs. Ultimately, the decision to replace your black plastic utensils depends on individual circumstances and a balanced approach to risk management.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/10/well/black-plastic-health.html