A recently published study has warned consumers to avoid using black plastic cooking utensils immediately.
According to research published in the environmental science journal Chemosphere, cooking utensils made of recycled plastic contain harmful substances such as flame retardants. The study suggested that consumers should avoid using black plastic cooking utensils since most recycled plastics are black.
“When cooking utensils such as ladles and spatulas are heated, chemicals in the product can leach out,” said Science and Policy Manager at the nonprofit organization Toxic-Free Future, Megan Liu, who is also a co-author of the study. Using black cookware while cooking can result in people’s consumption of harmful substances in the food. The study added that it is better not to heat food in black food containers and not to use toys containing black plastic.
Flame retardants are additives that prevent plastics from burning. When the flame retardant accumulates in the body, it can reportedly cause increased cancer incidence, hormone disruption, decreased fertility, and damage to the nervous system. Some flame retardants have been banned from being used in the production of cooking utensils from 2021 due to their hazardous nature.
Experts advised people to throw away all black plastic cookware and replace it with those made of wood or stainless steel. Not all black plastic contains flame retardants, but consumers will not be able to tell, because manufacturers are not obliged to disclose the content of flame retardants. They also agreed that it is best to avoid exposure as much as possible, as there are no safety standards for flame retardants.
BY WONHEE CHO, HOONSIK WOO [cho.wonhee@koreadaily.com]
