Flame retardants used in electronics are found in up to 85% of black plastic household items, including kitchen utensils and toys—an unintended consequence of recycling.
Flame retardants commonly used in electronics carry considerable health risks, from carcinogenicity to endocrine disruption. Despite their harmful effects, these chemicals are often recycled into household items, including kitchen utensils, toys, and food packaging. A recent study found that black plastic household products may contain flame retardants, particularly those derived from recycled electronic products.
Researchers screened 203 black plastic household products for bromine, a compound used in many flame retardants. They further analyzed products with bromine concentrations higher than 50 parts per million (ppm) for specific flame retardants and plastic types, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and high-impact polystyrene, both commonly used in electronics.
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They found that 85% of the analyzed products contained flame retardants, with concentrations as high as 18,600 ppm, or as much as 22,800 milligrams per kilogram. Notably, a banned compound called decaBDE (and its replacement) was found in many household items. Plastics typically used in electronics, such as polypropylene, contained much higher levels of these chemicals than other types.
These findings suggest that current recycling practices introduce hazardous flame retardants into everyday plastic household products, raising concerns about unintentional exposure to these toxic compounds. As these plastic items degrade, they contribute to the growing problem of microplastics, which can carry harmful chemicals like flame retardants into the environment and the food chain, further amplifying health risks. Learn more about microplastics in this video featuring Dr. Rhonda Patrick.