A recent study on toxic chemicals in black plastic products has sparked concerns about the safety of kitchen utensils made from these materials. However, experts have found a math error in the original study, which significantly overstated the risks of contamination.
The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Chemosphere, found that 85% of 203 items made of black plastic contained toxic chemicals like flame retardants and other pollutants. But after re-examining their calculations, the authors acknowledged that the actual levels of contamination were much lower than initially stated.
According to Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society in Canada, the error occurred due to a multiplication mistake, which led to an incorrect assumption about human exposure to toxic chemicals. While the study’s findings are not entirely discredited, the correction highlights the importance of accuracy in scientific research.
Megan Liu, co-author of the study, emphasizes that even with the corrected estimates, it is still concerning for consumers to be exposed to trace amounts of flame retardants and other pollutants in cooking utensils.
The use of recycled electronic waste in black plastic products is a significant factor in the contamination. When these products are heated, the toxic chemicals can migrate out, posing health risks to consumers.
To identify potential contaminants, Liu recommends checking the recycling symbol on products, which ranges from 1 to 7 and indicates the type of plastic used. The study found higher levels of toxic flame retardants in polystyrene plastic, labeled with number 6.
While there isn’t a definitive timeline for when recycled e-waste started contaminating black plastic products, experts agree that electronic waste recycling has become more widespread since the early 2000s.
For consumers, safer alternatives to black plastic kitchen utensils are available. Wood and stainless steel materials offer a non-toxic option, reducing exposure to toxic chemicals.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2024-12-black-plastic-kitchen-utensils-toxic.html