Flame retardants used in electronics are making it into products like kitchen utensils and to-go containers when recycled.
Learn what this study found and how to reduce your risk.
Theres a good chance the tablet, phone or computer youre reading this article on contains fire-retardant chemicals.
Getty Images. EatingWell design.
Preventing your devices, including your television, from catching fire has some obvious benefits.
Like anything else, there are many kinds of fire retardants.
Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are one of the more concerning types.
This is because they are considered toxic and are known to accumulate in the bodys tissues.
But what happens when these electronic devices get recycled into products we use every daylike kitchen utensils?
Does the recycling process remove the BFRs?
Or are they still there, potentially poisoning us?
Researchers of a new study published in the October 2024 issue ofChemospherewanted to know, too.Heres what they found.
How Was This Study Conducted & What Did It Find?
This is in part because the color of most electronic housing cases is black.
After several tests were performed on each product to test for fire retardants, data analyses were run.
The products containing multiple fire retardants included food service ware, toys, kitchen utensils and one hair accessory.
The most frequently found fire retardants are the same ones used in television casings, including previously banned ones.
One of these was found in substantial quantities in the to-go sushi tray that was tested.
So if you’re looking to decrease your exposure, replacing black plastic utensils will still help.
What Can You Do Today to Reduce Your Risk?
If you have any electronics, you are most likely exposed to these fire retardants daily.
This is because these chemicals can be breathed in through dust in your home.
Ditto for childrens toys that go into their mouths.
The concern is that these types of chemicals tend to hang out in your body and accumulate over time.
Many of them have been linked to cancer.
They mess with your hormones and reproduction.
And they can damage your nervous system and childrens development.
However, this does not seem to apply to recycled products.
So what can you do right now to reduce your risk?
She suggests signing up atToxic-Free Futureto learn how and when to contact elected officials.
And these fire retardants in turn may predispose us to health risks, like cancer and reproductive issues.
- doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143319
National Post.How a simple math error sparked a panic about black plastic kitchen utensils.
Toxic Free Future.Mind the store.
