Your Black Plastic is toxic...

Once you start to notice Black plastic... you'll realize that it's everywhere. 

In fact, most people have Black plastic all over their kitchen - even if they don't realize it. However, the reason that black plastic is a concern, is because of a worrying study that came out showing that all black plastic is contaminated with old electronic waste.

"Hazardous chemicals such as bromine, antimony and lead are finding their way into food-contact items and other everyday products because manufacturers are using recycled electrical equipment as a source of black plastic."

"The substances are among those applied to devices, such as laptops and music systems, as flame retardants and pigments but remain within the products when they reach the end of their useful lives."

"Scientists at the University of Plymouth have shown that a combination of the growing demand for black plastic and the inefficient sorting of end-of-life electrical equipment is causing contaminated material to be introduced into the recyclate.

This is in part because despite black plastics constituting about 15% of the domestic waste stream, this waste material is not readily recycled owing to the low sensitivity of black pigments to near infrared radiation used in conventional plastic sorting facilities."

"Bromine, in the form of brominated compounds, is and has been used in electrical plastic housings as a flame retardant, while lead is often encountered in electronic plastics as a contaminant. However, both elements were found extensively in non-electrical black consumer products tested, where they are not needed or desirable.

In many products, including cocktail stirrers, coathangers, various items of plastic jewellery, garden hosing, Christmas decorations and tool handles, concentrations of bromine potentially exceeded legal limits that are designed for electrical items. In other products, including various toys, storage containers and office equipment, concentrations of lead exceeded its legal limit for electrical items.

Speaking about the current study, Dr Turner said: "There are environmental and health impacts arising from the production and use of plastics in general, but black plastics pose greater risks and hazards. This is due to the technical and economic constraints imposed on the efficient sorting and separation of black waste for recycling, coupled with the presence of harmful additives required for production or applications in the electronic and electrical equipment and food packaging sectors."

One of the main reasons why black plastic is considered toxic is due to the presence of heavy metals, such as cadmium, lead, and mercury. These metals can leach out of the plastic and contaminate the environment, potentially causing harm to plants and animals that come into contact with them. In addition to heavy metals, black plastic can also contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are synthetic chemicals that do not break down easily in the environment and have been linked to health problems such as cancer and immune system dysfunction.

@taborplace Replying to @gdogpink black plastics get contaminated from old ewaste - gross. Check the inside of your coffee machine ! Here are my other videos on how bad post-consumer recycled products are: @taborplace #endocrinedisruptors #toxicchemicals #heavymetals #recycledplastic #blackplastic #coffeemachine #plasticisbad ♬ original sound - Beatrice, CEO of Tabor Place

One of the most concerning aspects of black plastic is that it can come into contact with food, which can lead to the transfer of toxic chemicals into the food. This is particularly problematic for hot foods and liquids, as the heat can cause the plastic to break down and release harmful substances. It is recommended to avoid using black plastic for food storage or cooking, and instead opt for safer alternatives such as glass, stainless steel, or silicone.

Many commonly used household items are made of black plastic, such as trash cans, storage containers, and coffee makers. Coffee makers in particular can be a major source of black plastic exposure, as many models contain black plastic components that come into direct contact with the hot water and coffee. To reduce exposure, it is recommended to choose coffee makers with stainless steel or glass carafes, and to avoid models with black plastic components.

In conclusion, black plastic is a widely used but potentially toxic material that can harm both human health and the environment. It contains heavy metals and PFAS, and can come into contact with food, leading to the transfer of toxic chemicals. To reduce exposure, it is recommended to avoid using black plastic for food storage or cooking, and to choose household items made from safer materials such as glass or stainless steel.