### Correction Released for Black Plastic Study That Had Individuals Discarding Spatulas
In recent weeks, a published study in the environmental chemistry journal *Chemosphere* ignited significant concern regarding the safety of black plastic kitchen utensils. The research asserted that harmful flame retardants, initially utilized in electronics, were contaminating household items made from black plastic, including spatulas, spoons, and various kitchen tools. Media outlets heightened the alarm, encouraging consumers to discontinue use of their utensils, while product guides surfaced suggesting safer alternatives. Nonetheless, a critical correction to the study has now been made, providing a clearer perspective on the actual dangers associated with these products.
### The Calculation Mistake That Triggered Alarm
The correction, issued by the study’s authors, disclosed a mathematical mistake that exaggerated the possible risk of exposure to a toxic flame retardant known as BDE-209 (decabromodiphenyl ether). This substance, once commonly used in electronics, is associated with health hazards such as carcinogenic effects, hormone disruption, and neurotoxicity.
The initial study proposed that a kitchen utensil with moderate amounts of BDE-209 could release 34,700 nanograms (ng) of the substance daily into food during typical use. This figure was then contrasted with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) reference dose for safe exposure, set at 7,000 ng per kilogram of body weight per day. For an average adult weighing 60 kg (roughly 132 pounds), the safe threshold would be 420,000 ng per day. However, the authors incorrectly assessed the safe limit as 42,000 ng per day—mistaken by a factor of ten.
This miscalculation led to the perception that the projected exposure from kitchen utensils was alarmingly near the EPA’s safe limit, when in reality it was less than one-tenth of that threshold. The revised study now indicates that the exposure levels are significantly lower than what was previously suggested.
### Consequences of the Correction
Despite the revision, the study’s authors assert that their overall conclusions remain intact. They contend that the existence of flame retardants in black plastic items still signifies a serious contamination concern with a “high exposure potential.” Nonetheless, the updated data indicates that the immediate health threats presented by these utensils are considerably less severe than initially believed.
The correction states:
> “[W]e miscalculated the reference dose for a 60 kg adult, initially estimating it at 42,000 ng/day instead of the correct value of 420,000 ng/day. Consequently, we amended our statement from ‘the calculated daily intake would approach the U.S. BDE-209 reference dose’ to ‘the calculated daily intake remains an order of magnitude lower than the U.S. BDE-209 reference dose.’ We regret this error and have updated it in our manuscript.”
### Background: Recycling and Contamination
The study underscores a larger issue: the recycling of plastic materials that were originally utilized in electronics. Flame retardants such as BDE-209 were routinely included in electronic casings to mitigate fire hazards. Upon recycling, these plastics may unintentionally find their way into consumer goods, including kitchen utensils, toys, and food service items.
Megan Liu, the lead author of the study and a researcher with the environmental health advocacy group Toxic-Free Future, highlighted this issue in a prior press release:
> “Companies persist in using toxic flame retardants in plastic electronics, leading to unexpected and unnecessary toxic exposures. These carcinogenic substances should not be employed in the first instance, but through recycling, they are infiltrating our environment and homes in multiple ways.”
### How Prevalent Is the Contamination?
The study scrutinized 203 black plastic household items, incorporating 109 kitchen utensils, 36 toys, 30 hair accessories, and 28 food service items. Out of these, only 20 products (10 percent) were found to contain bromine-based compounds at levels indicative of flame retardant contamination. Specifically, merely 14 of the 203 items included BDE-209.
Among the tested kitchen utensils, only nine out of 109 (8 percent) exhibited concerning bromine levels. The highest contamination levels were discovered in non-kitchen products, such as a disposable sushi tray, which contained 18,600 parts per million (ppm) of bromine compounds. In contrast, most kitchen utensils exhibited significantly lower contamination levels.
### What Does This Imply for Consumers?
Currently, the corrected study indicates that the risk of exposure to toxic flame retardants from black plastic kitchen utensils is minimal, especially in comparison to the EPA’s safety limits. While the existence of these chemicals in consumer products raises environmental and regulatory concerns, the immediate health risks seem to have been overstated.
Consumers who continue to worry about potential exposure may consider alternative options, such as utensils made from stainless steel, silicone, or wood. However, the study’s conclusions suggest that only a small percentage of black plastic products
