The authors of a study published in October that caused alarm about black plastic have now corrected the figures on safe exposure levels to flame retardants.
A recent study that made news around the world — including in the United States — revealed the presence of potentially toxic flame retardants in everyday household items made from recycled black plastic, including sushi trays, spatulas and toys.
Now, the study authors have come correct a wrong calculation which indicated that the danger of using these utensils was much greater than it actually is.
Flame retardants are chemical substances added to electronic devices to prevent or delay fires and often outlast the devices they are intended to protect. When electronics are recycled, these chemicals can persist in the plastics used to make new products, explains .
Exposure to flame retardants has been associated with thyroid dysfunctions and problems with bone development and weakness, although the exact health risks arising from the use of contaminated products are still unclear.
The study, led by Megan Liu of the advocacy group Toxic-Free Future and published in Chemosphere in October, it tested 203 household items for contamination. Black plastic was the focus due to its common use in electronics.
Initial screening revealed that 10% of articles contained high levels of bromine, a key component of brominated flame retardants (BFR). Upon further analysis, two-thirds of these articles also contained organophosphate flame retardants (OPFR).
The search has now undergone a correction. Initially, researchers miscalculated safe daily exposure to a flame retardant, BDE-209. The Environmental Protection Agency’s safety limit is 420,000 nanograms per day for a 60-kilogram adult, but the study incorrectly set it at 42,000 nanograms.
The correction confirmed that the exposure levels indicated in the study were significantly lower than the limit real safety, but the authors still advise replacing commonly used products made from black plastic, such as kitchen utensils and toys.
Liu also calls for more research into the long-term health effects of exposure to flame retardants.
