Good Lifestyle

For safety matters, many electrical and electronic products contain in the delaying plastic components of brominated flame and organophosphates in high concentrations since, in the event of a short circuit, these substances can prevent or delay fires. The flame delayers, however, are carcinogenic, alter the endocrine system, experience brain lesions, cause sterility and development problems. But what do they have to do with black plastic tools that are commonly used in the kitchen or toys?

Many electrical and electronic products contain inside the plastic part of the flame retardants in high concentrations. For example, the plastic back of your TV most likely contains these substances for a reason for safety: in case of short circuit they can prevent or delay a fire. A trick that gives safety in some ways, but that creates many problems when the same plastic is recycled to produce kitchen utensils, food containers or children's games.

The plastics that come from electronic objects are often recycled and reused to create articles for the home and family who have no need for flame delaying, thus subjecting end users to a useless and harmful and unwanted exposure to these substances.

The scientific magazine Chemosphere He has published a study conducted on objects made with black plastics recycled by electronic appliances to understand how many brominous and organophosphates used in initial products were still present in recycled products. The research involved over 200 objects on the market and almost 90% gave positive outcome, showing high concentrations of flame delaying.

The research highlighted how much the recycling of these components, without a policy of transparency and without the due restrictions, has as its unexpected consequence the exposure continues to delaying toxic flame delay which, in this way, become present in many products of everyday use.

Flame delayers are carcinogenic. A long exposure to these substances can alter the endocrine system, create brain lesions, can lead to sterility and create development problems. The bromurators were found in the most common objects of use: from beads necklaces to food trays, from kitchen utensils to hair accessories to toys, from office chancellery to containers for food.

"If on the one hand it is essential to develop sustainable practices to manage and limit the flow of plastic waste, on the other it is equally important to be cautious and make sure not to exhibit these dangerous chemicals those who use products made with recycled materials", highlight the experts who conducted the study.

The research focused on products made with black plastic, the same one that is commonly used for the plastic components of electronic products. Since studies on plastics of another color have not been conducted, the researchers have not been able to say with certainty if this unexpected consequence of recycling involves all plastics in general. If in doubt, it is better to avoid black plastic toys and do not use black plastic for tools in contact with food.