Have Your Electronics Come Back to Haunt You?

Did you know black plastic items can harbor toxic carcinogens? Researchers tested kitchenware, food containers, and children’s toys for recycled electronic waste (e-waste). The researchers found fire retardants in 85% of the products they tested.

♻️ The Problem Starts with Recycling

Factories treat plastics with brominated flame retardants (BFRs) when manufacturing electronic devices. After all, you don’t want your microwave to go up in flames when you reheat those yummy fajitas you brought home.

The black coloring is a pigment called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which is possibly carcinogenic, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Other chemicals in black plastic include heavy metals, such as cadmium, lead, and mercury.

New electronics are subject to chemical regulations, but banned chemicals from older electronics slip through into recycling processes. No government regulations exist for recycled black plastics.

🍽️ Kitchenware and Reusable Containers

Be aware of combining black plastics, heat, and food.

I’ve tossed all my black spatulas and slotted spoons, disposable flatware, and take-home containers. Don’t store foods in any plastic, and don’t reheat your leftovers in plastic. Heat increases the possibility of chemicals leaching into your food.

The researchers observed that the highest level of harmful chemical leakage came from a sushi tray.

🪀 Black Plastic Toys

Some of the black plastic toys that were tested contained flame retardants. The presence of carcinogens is especially worrisome when young children put toys in their mouths or chew on them.

Flame retardants are linked to neurodevelopmental and reproductive harm.

💡 Steps to Take

Replace your black plastic cooking utensils with wooden, stainless steel, or silicone alternatives.

Don’t store or heat foods in plastic.

Transfer take-out foods to a glass or ceramic container.

Be aware of your children’s toys.

Consider bringing your own safe mugs or bamboo cutlery with you for eating out.

What will you do to limit your exposure to carcinogens?

NOTES:

• Read ” Why Black Plastic Is Bad News” by Beyond Plastics.
• Read about the research in “Harmful chemicals found in plastic cooking utensils” by DW (news outlet).
• Heavy metals can cause reproductive and developmental issues.
• Nonstick kitchenware has been associated with carcinogenic “forever chemicals.”
  • Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) was phased out of Teflon products in 2016.
  • Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a plastic material coating nonstick pans. It can release toxic fumes if overheated or microplastics if the coating is scratched.
  • Read “Are Your Pots and Pans Safe? How to Choose Nontoxic Cookware” by Everyday Health.
• I made these images through Google’s AI software, Gemini.