EcoWaste Coalition Finds Toxic E-Waste Chemicals in Recycled Black Plastics
(Group backs plastics treaty that will protect children’s health and the planet from toxic plastic substances)
19 November 2024, Quezon City. As countries gather in Busan, Korea from November 25 to December 1 for the ultimate negotiations towards a globally-binding legal instrument to address the plastic pollution crisis, the EcoWaste Coalition, an advocacy group for a zero waste and toxics-free society, called on world’s leaders to ensure the protection of children’s health and the planet from hazardous plastic chemicals and wastes.
The group, which has been contributing to the treaty development locally and globally as an active participant of the Break Free From Plastics (BFFP) and the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN), emphasized the need for resolute action to put an end to plastic pollution at every phase of the material’s lifecycle — from production, consumption to disposal.
To illustrate the pervasive threat from hazardous chemicals in plastics, the group drew attention to the presence of bromine and antimony in a wide range of household articles made of black recycled plastics. Bromine is a component of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and antimony is a component of antimony trioxide, a common BFR synergist. BFRs are known to cause adverse problems to the developmental, endocrine, immune, nervous or reproductive systems.
To date, the EcoWaste Coalition has detected these chemicals on the black plastic of diverse products, including watercolor sets, ornaments for Christmas trees, cooking and eating utensils, hair styling tools and accessories, and toys.
While costly laboratory analysis is required to determine the type and concentration of BFRs, the presence of bromine and antimony on products not required to meet fire safety standards indicates the inappropriate recycling of plastic e-waste with BFRs into household articles.
“Based on our investigation, bromine is showing up in an assortment of products from seasonal Christmas tree ornaments to frequently used items for cooking, hairstyling, drawing and playing, providing a direct exposure to hazardous chemicals that may end up contaminating our children’s bodies through their diet, the water they drink and the things they play with,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition. “We, consumers, are unaware of this toxic threat due to the lack of chemical transparency and inadequate regulations.”
A pioneering study by researchers at Arnika (a Czech NGO), BioDetection Systems and IPEN established the toxic effects of toys derived from recycled plastics, most probably from e-waste, on human cells. The study revealed that children mouthing toys made of such plastic are at risk of serious health effects from the hazardous material.
Using an X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) device, the EcoWaste Coalition detected high bromine and antimony levels on the black plastic of analyzed products, indicating the likely use of recycled electronic waste (e-waste) plastics containing BFRs, some of which have been targeted for a global ban.
Among the BFRs already listed in the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are Penta-, Octa-, and Deca- Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs), Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD), and Hexabromobiphenyl (HBB).
While recycling helps in conserving energy and resources, recycling plastic waste containing hazardous chemicals like BFRs is not recommended as it only leads to the further circulation of hazardous chemicals in the market, in people’s homes and the environment.
For a strong plastics treaty that will prevent health risks from chemicals of concern at all stages of the plastic lifecycle, the EcoWaste Coalition urged treaty negotiators to consider, among other recommendations, the following:
— Eliminate and restrict plastic polymers, chemicals and products of concern, starting with flame retardants, softeners and colorants and materials containing them with known adverse impacts to health and the environment and impeding non-toxic circularity.
— Use criteria and chemical class-based approach in restricting, phasing out and eliminating such chemicals of concern.
— Require globally-harmonized transparency and traceability mechanisms for plastic polymers, chemicals and products across the plastic supply chain.
— Support divestment from petrochemicals and investment in ecological and sustainable non-plastic alternatives and substitutes.
The group further emphasized the need for the treaty to support a just transition that will ensure waste workers and other vulnerable sectors do not bear the burden of conversion to a clean, healthy and sustainable future. (PR)
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