In a groundbreaking study published in the journal Environment International, scientists have unveiled alarming findings that young children playing with toys made from recycled plastic may be exposed to toxic chemicals exceeding EU safety levels.
The research, spanning 26 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, revealed that the perilous levels of brominated dioxins in recycled e-waste plastics, commonly used in children’s toys, pose a significant health risk to the youngest members of society.
The study, titled “Global survey of dioxin- and thyroid hormone-like activities in consumer products and toys,” focused on the potential dangers associated with recycled e-waste plastics, also known as black plastics. These materials, derived from electronic waste recycling, were found to harbor toxic substances, including globally banned chemicals, such as brominated flame retardants (BFRs).
Key findings from the study indicate that recycled plastic toys, subjected to typical mouthing behaviors of young children, contribute significantly to their daily intake of highly toxic dioxin-like compounds and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Dioxins, recognized as among the most toxic substances, have been linked to adverse effects on children’s health, including impaired neurological development and disruptions in thyroid hormone function.
The study, conducted by researchers from institutions such as the Amsterdam laboratory BioDetection Systems, revealed that toxic substances, including chemicals globally prohibited, were present in toys and other products made from recycled e-waste plastics across continents. These critical findings underscore the urgency of incorporating such revelations into the framework of the new global Plastics Treaty currently under consideration.
The research further highlighted the transference of toxic chemicals from electronic waste into recycled plastic products, rendering them incompatible with circular economy principles. The study’s lead author, Dr. Peter Behnisch, expressed shock at the extent of children’s potential exposure to highly toxic chemicals from recycled plastic toys, emphasizing the need for immediate action.
Notably, the study assessed levels of brominated dioxins (PBDD/Fs) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), an endocrine-disrupting chemical, in recycled plastic toys and consumer products. Alarmingly, average levels of PBDD/Fs in 24 tested toys surpassed proposed EU safety standards for tolerable daily intake, highlighting the severity of the issue.
Dr. Behnisch stressed the importance of addressing chemical contamination in recycled plastics, urging stricter limits and improved control measures to align with the latest scientific findings. The study calls for enhanced chemical monitoring of plastics for recycling, aiming to prevent the production of new toxic products through the recycling of contaminated plastics.
The research findings have significant implications for the ongoing development of the new Plastics Treaty, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach that goes beyond the sheer volume of plastic waste generated.
The study’s co-author, Semia Gharbi, Chairperson of the Association de l’Education Environnementale pour les Futures Générations, lamented the inadequacy of current international treaties in safeguarding human health, warning that the unchecked use of plastics poses a threat to the circular economy.
The study sends a powerful message: urgent action is required to protect children from exposure to toxic chemicals present in recycled plastic products, reshaping global regulations and treaties to ensure a safer and healthier future.
