Update: Study correction does not impact conclusion

Published December 16, 2024

Updated December 17, 2024

Toxic-Free Future was recently made aware of an error in our peer-reviewed study on black plastics, From e-waste to living space: flame retardants contaminating household items add to concern about plastic recycling. The error does not impact the study’s findings, recommendations, or conclusions.

We are grateful to the scientists who brought this forward and we apologize for the error. Toxic-Free Future holds itself to the highest scientific rigor and standards. The following is an important update from Toxic-Free Future.

On November 26, 2024, the study authors submitted a correction to the journal in response to the error. The journal published this correction on December 15, 2024.

The error was made in comparing the estimated exposure of one of the flame retardants (deca-BDE) found in a kitchen utensil to the U.S. EPA reference dose. Deca-BDE was one of the 11 flame retardant chemicals found in the products tested. As noted in the published correction, “this calculation error does not affect the overall conclusion of the paper.”

It is important to note the reference dose comparison was not referenced or included in the study’s “highlights”, “abstract”, or the “conclusion” sections. These are the sections in a peer-reviewed paper that typically contain the most important information.

The study’s key findings:

• Show the presence of high levels of toxic flame retardants, linked to cancer and other health impacts, in black plastic kitchen utensils, food serviceware, toys, and hair accessories.
• Show that out of the products containing flame retardants, 16 out of 17 products contained multiple flame retardants ranging from two to nine different flame retardants.
• Provide clear evidence to support the hypothesis that the black plastic and associated flame retardants are coming from recycling electronics.

The correction doesn’t impact the facts:

• The flame retardants found aren’t needed for any reason in kitchen utensils, toys, hair accessories, or food packaging, making this a health hazard that can be avoided entirely.
• Deca-BDE has been banned by states, the U.S. EPA, and European Union because it is a persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemical, but is not restricted for recycled products in the U.S. This recently sparked a lawsuit by Earthjustice. Out of the 11 flame retardants found in the study, none are regulated in recycled plastic products.
• A number of the flame retardants we found in the products are persistent, bioaccumulative toxics, or PBTs, chemicals that don’t break down quickly and build up in our bodies and the food chain.
• The flame retardants detected are highly hazardous and associated with cancer, hormone disruption, neurotoxicity, and reproductive and developmental harm.
• Studies have demonstrated these flame retardants can migrate from electronics into indoor air and dust, from utensils into food, and from toys into saliva.

The conclusions are also unaffected:

• These results show that when toxic additives are used in plastic, they can significantly contaminate products, made with recycled content, that do not require flame retardancy.
• Products found in this study to contain hazardous flame retardants included items with high exposure potential, including food-contact items as well as toys.
• Regulatory bodies have begun to address the use of certain classes of flame retardants, but more regulation is needed to end the use of hazardous additives and ensure that  replacements are made with safer materials and chemicals.

Everyone deserves products free of highly hazardous chemicals. Fortunately, safer solutions exist and are readily available.

Our recommendations for governments, retailers, and consumers remain the same and can be found in this fact sheet.