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Theres yet more evidence that exposure to plastics can be harmful to health.
Flame retardant chemicals are used to make electronics and other devices that need to be flame-proof.
When those items are recycled, they can end up in plastic items that dont require flame retardancy.
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Exposure to those chemicals can disrupt hormones and increase the risk for cancer.
Out of 203 products tested, 20 had high levels of the chemical bromine.
Of those, about 85% of products contained flame retardant chemicals with known carcinogenic effects.
The products with the highest concentrations were a sushi tray, a spatula, and a beaded necklace.
Why Are Flame Retardants Concerning?
The study focused on two classes of retardant chemicalsbrominated flame retardants andorganophosphateflame retardants.
Brominated flame retardants don’t bind well to plastics.
They said that amount approached the EPAs safe limit of 42,000 ng per day.
“This calculation error does not affect the overall conclusion of the paper.”
The opportunities for their exposures could be higher, Woodruff told Verywell.
Exposure to toxic chemicals during childhood development can lead to lasting health effects, she added.
How Do Flame Retardants Wind Up in Kitchen Utensils?
A toy beaded necklace had the highest level of contamination, at 22,800 parts per million.
She was surprised to see that toxicity levels were relatively consistent across retailers.
What Can You Replace Black Plastics With?
We can’t shop our way out of this problem.
Woodruff and Liu agree that federal regulation is necessary to limit Americans' exposure to these toxins.
you’re free to replace plastic cookware items with stainless steel and wood alternatives.
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