A new study has revealed a specific type of kitchen utensil that you should immediately bin described as a “hazard”.
Experts have long been warning home cooks of the best ways to avoid health risks – from using non-wooden chopping boards to how you wash your dishes.
But scientists are now urging anyone with black plastic utensils, such as spatulas or serving spoons, to replace them immediately.
Andrew Turner, a biochemist at the University of Plymouth, published an insightful paper that revealed a specific item was likely being made from recycled electronic waste – and he has now shared the reasoning behind this.
Black plastic utensils contain chemicals that are typically found in exterior cases which protect the interiors of computers and televisions.
Due to recycling facilities being unable to detect the material, the specific colour of plastic is rejected from domestic waste streams, in turn, becoming a part of various other everyday products such as kitchen spatulas.
But black plastic products are usually treated with flame retardants to prevent them from catching fire.
According to the biochemists’ study, heat can cause these harmful plastic compounds to “migrate” out of these products and into hot cooking oil, as well as spreading quickly through the environment.
The chemical in flame retardants known as endocrine disruptors (EDCs) can greatly interfere with the body’s hormones. They are able to mimic, block or interfere with a person’s hormones responsible for biological processes.
Other published studies on the compound have also connected EDCs to issues like thyroid disease, diabetes and cancer.
A separate study published by advocacy group Toxic-Free Future last month discovered that out of all of the consumer products tested, kitchen utensils have the highest levels of flame retardants.
Children’s toys are also high up on the list for this chemical, according to the science and policy manager at the group and co-author of the study, Megan Liu.
Speaking to the Atlantic, Liu said: “When you’re using black plastic items, there’s going to be a risk that they could be contaminated.”
Liu’s study also highlighted that black plastic sushi trays had the highest level of flame retardant out of all the objects in the study.
The new research suggested that steel or silicone options are the safest and healthier way to go.
