Attention in the kitchen: Black spatulas endanger your health!

Attention in the kitchen: Black spatulas endanger your health!

In many households, we encounter an indispensable kitchen utensil: the black plastic powder turner. It is inexpensive, attractive and practical to clean. But now there are alarming indications that this friend may be harmful to health when cooking. A new study warns of the potential risks that arise from black plastic.

The research, published in the journal "Chemosphere", indicates a serious problem: In 70 percent of the tested samples, a fabric called Decabromdiphenylether (Decabde) was found. This flame retardant belongs to a group of chemical compounds called polybromized dipheny ether (PBDE) and are known to burden the environment and health. What makes this discovery even more worrying is the multitude of potential health problems associated with Decabde, including cancer, thyroid disorders and brain development problems in newborns.

The source of contamination

The senior author of the study, Megan Liu, establishes a connection between the contamination of the plastics and the recycling of electrical appliances. According to their assessment, the black plastic, which is used to produce everyday objects, could be contaminated with flame retardants, which come from faulty recycled electronic waste. Despite the knowledge of the risks that the use of such materials brings. Kitchen equipment and toys are particularly affected, which means that dangerous substances can either get into the human body by contacting food or by taking toys in the mouth.

The health consequences should not be underestimated, as a supplementary study from April 2024 shows that has uncovered that people with high values of flame retardant in the blood have a 300 percent higher risk of cancer. Particularly alarming is the discovery of Decabde in concentrations that are up to 1200 times above the EU limit of 10ppm.

tips for consumers

The expert Linda Birnbaum, a former director of the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, recommends switching to products from other materials. "I strongly advise against using black plastic for objects that come into contact with food," said Birnbaum. Instead of plastic kitchen utensils, consumers should use alternatives such as stainless steel or wood.

In addition, it is clever to fill food that is packed in black plastic as quickly as possible into other containers. You should also make sure not to heat food in black containers in order to avoid possible release of harmful chemicals. These precautions can help minimize your own risk.

The information listed illustrates that black plastic products that are common in many kitchens can recover potential dangers. It is important to be aware of the risks and take action to take action in order to protect your own health and those of family members, especially children. The ongoing research on this topic will be decisive in order to continue to educate the public about the dangers of dangerous chemicals in our everyday products, as www.nordbayern.de reported .