There’s a good chance that the phone, tablet, or computer you're reading this article on contains fire-retardant chemicals.
While these chemicals help prevent devices like televisions from catching fire, they also come with some serious risks.
FDA Bans Additive Found in Some Sodas
Among the many types of fire retardants, Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) are especially concerning. These chemicals are toxic and can accumulate in your body’s tissues, leading to potential risks like cancer
hormone disruption, and nerve, reproductive, and developmental damage. BFRs are commonly found in the plastic housing of electronics and circuit boards.
Two specific BFRs—decabromodiphenyl ether (deca-BDE) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA)—have been banned in the U.S. and EU since 2007 and 2006, respectively.
While these substances have been replaced with alternatives, including organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), the safety of these replacements is still under question, especially regarding their toxicity in aquatic environments.
But what happens when these fire-retardant chemicals from electronics end up in products we use daily, like kitchen utensils? Do the recycling processes remove these toxic chemicals, or are they still lurking in the products we use to cook and eat?
The Study: What Did It Find?
Researchers published a study in Chemosphere (October 2024) that explores the risks of recycled plastic, particularly black plastic, in consumer products. Black plastic, commonly used in electronics, is suspected of containing fire retardants, including some that were previously banned.
While newer products may not contain these banned chemicals, recycled electronics may still contribute to our exposure, as these materials are repurposed into common household items.
The researchers tested 203 products made from black plastic, including kitchen utensils, food service ware, toys, and hair accessories, purchased from both large and small retailers. The findings were concerning:
- 65% of the products tested contained a mix of BFRs and OPFRs.
- 20% contained BFRs alone.
- Products with fire retardants included kitchen utensils, food containers, children’s toys, and even hair accessories.
Practical Steps to Reduce Exposure
While large retailers have taken steps to limit the use of certain toxic chemicals in new products, recycled materials often go unchecked.
Moreover, the packaging of these products doesn’t typically list the chemicals they contain, making it difficult for consumers to know what they’re dealing with.
Megan Liu, a science and policy manager at Toxic-Free Future, offers the following advice to reduce your risk:
Swap out plastic utensils for wooden or stainless-steel alternatives.
Opt for plastic-free items whenever possible to reduce overall exposure to harmful chemicals.
Choose electronics with fewer plastic components. Brands like HP and Apple have policies aimed at reducing toxic chemicals in their products. Clean and ventilate your home regularly to reduce the buildup of fire retardants in dust and air. Frequent hand washing, wet dusting, mopping, and vacuuming can also help.
Recycling electronics is generally a good practice, but when those materials are repurposed into items we use for eating, cooking, or toys, there’s a health risk involved.
This study found that many everyday items—particularly black plastic kitchen utensils, food containers, and toys—may contain fire retardants, including banned substances. These chemicals have been linked to health risks like cancer and hormonal disruption.
If you’re concerned about your exposure, it’s a good idea to replace black plastic utensils and toys with safer alternatives. Be proactive, and advocate for policy changes that will make these products safer for everyone.
Black plastic items could contain harmful chemicals, study finds
Video by CBS News
