JAKARTA - Daily kitchen utensils such as spatula, living spoons, or food containers from black plastic can actually pose a serious threat to health.
Recent studies found that products from black plastic contain toxic chemicals that have long been banned from use, because they are related to cancer and other body system disorders.
A study conducted by the Toxic-Free Future agency with the Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment showed that black plastic used in kitchen utensils, children's toys, and ready-to-eat food containers contained high levels of fire-retaining substances (retardant fringes), such as the decabDE, which is a chemical that has been completely banned by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since 2021.
DecABDE (Decabromodiphenyl ether) is included in the polybrominated dipenyl ethers (PBDE) group which is commonly used to prevent fires in electronic products such as television and computers.
However, this substance has been associated with various serious health problems, ranging from cancer, hormonal disorders, child development problems, to damage to the nervous system and immunity.
In a study published in October 2024 in the journal Chemosphere, it was found that 70% of the black plastic product samples tested contain decabDE, even the levels reached 1,200 times higher than the limits set by the European Union (10 ppm).
Salah satu produk yang kami uji adalah kakifosi dari plastik hitam yang ternyata mengandung 11,900 bagian per juta decABDE, kata Megan Liu, penulis utama pengujian tersebut, dilansir dari laman CNN pada Sabtu, 14 Juni.
The main problem stems from the uncontrolled recycling of electronic waste. Plastic from old electronic devices rich in fire resistance, recycled and accidentally reused to make consumer goods, including kitchen utensils.
"Plastics that should not be reused end up in our kitchen, causing exposure to toxic chemicals every day," Liu explained.
Daily exposure from black plastic kitchen utensils is estimated to reach 34.7 ppm decABDE, a number that can pose a long-term health risk if used continuously.
Meanwhile, another study published in April 2024 revealed that people with the highest PBDE levels in their blood may have 300% more deaths from cancer than those with low PBDE levels.
"I haven't found a safe level for bromine-based flare retardants like decABDE," said Dr. Leonardo Trasande of NYU Langone Health, who has long researched the impact of chemicals in the environment on health.
Although consumers have no control over the recycling industry process, there are several practical steps to reduce risks:
- Avoid using kitchen utensils from black plastic, especially those that look recycled or cheap.
- Replace it with equipment from stainless steel, wood, glass, or ceramics.
- Don't heat food in black plastic containers, because heat accelerates the release of chemicals to food.
- Immediately move food from a black container to another container after being purchased or ordered
- Regularly cleaning the house from dust, because this chemical can stick to the house's dust and enter the body through the hands or food.
"I advise people not to use black plastic for anything that comes into contact with food," suggested toxicologist Linda Birnbaum.
Modern life cannot be separated from plastic. However, when recycled plastics from electronic waste are used to make daily products such as spatula or food balances, the dangers become real. In the long term, exposure to this toxic chemical can damage the health of the whole family, from children to parents.
"What we need is a firm policy from the government and industry to stop the use of toxic chemicals and ensure recycling does not pollute supply chains", Liu said.
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