Health

Black Plastic May Be Toxic

While a dangerous chemical was banned in 2021, it’s still being used today

By: Liam Daquioag, Journalist

October 21, 2024

A new study has found that black plastic may be hiding toxic chemicals. It revealed that most toys, containers, and utensils using black plastic contain the chemical. So what are the chemicals that have managed to sneak in everyday items? The culprit is decabromodiphenyl ether.

A Problematic Mistake

Decabromodiphenyl ether (Deca-DBE) is a flame retardant. It’s part of a bigger class of flame retardants called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PDBEs). Chemicals like these are commonly used in electronics (specifically Deca-DBE) as fires from these electronics can end up being extremely deadly.

The problem starts with recycling. When electronics are recycled improperly, that could lead to Deca-DBE getting into the recycled plastic. From there, it is used to create new toys, utensils, etc. Once these items reach your home, the flame retardant will leach into the dust, the food it’s holding, or your bloodstream.

PDBEs are known to cause complications in children. A study discovered that children exposed to PDBEs were found to have worse motor skills and attention spans. Additionally, the US Environmental Protection Agency is concerned about the toxic effects of PDBEs on humans and the environment.

PDBE production is completely discontinued today. In 2004, the production of two types of PDBEs were completely discontinued in the US. 9 years later, the final type was discontinued. In 2021, Deca-DBE was completely prohibited in the US by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Study

Close-up Photo of Sushi Served on Table — Sushi trays that were tested in the study contained large amounts of PDBEs.

PDBEs can usually be found if an item has bromine. The study involved 203 items containing black plastic. 20 products with the highest content of bromine were then inspected for any PDBEs.

17 out of 20 of tested products contained PDBEs. 14 out of 20 tested products contained Deca-DBE. A costume bead bracelet contained 22,800 parts per million of PDBEs, the highest concentration out of all. For comparison, the lowest concentration of all tested products was 40 parts per million.

Another thing: The European Union regulates Deca-DBE to 10 parts per million. None of the products that were tested containing Deca-DBE fulfilled that requirement.

What Now?

A good start would be to replace items containing black plastic with items with other materials. Plastic kitchen tools can be replaced with stainless steel or wood. If switching to another material isn’t a choice, you can research different brands to see if they use toxic-free plastic.
After that, you can dust clean to get rid of PDBEs.
It’s best to be careful with what you’re buying. Make sure you buy from trusted and safe brands and know the risks if you aren’t.