Black Plastic

26.02.2025

Black Plastic

Why in the news?                        

         Black Plastic made headlines as a recent study claimed that the material contained toxic flame retardants which could be leaching into food at hazardous levels.

About Black Plastic:

• It is a type of plastic used to make everyday items like food trays, containers, and utensils.
• It is often made from recycled electronic waste such as computers, TVs and appliances.
• These are more likely to contain unregulated amounts of toxic chemicals including heavy metals and flame retardants.
• The issue is that these electronics typically contain substances such as the flame retardant bromine; antimony; and heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury.

Impact on human health:

• The aforementioned substances and heavy metals are known to be toxic to humans at high levels of exposure.
• Children are particularly vulnerable as they often come into prolonged contact with toys that could expose them to harmful chemicals through direct handling or ingestion.
• Toxic chemicals in black plastic kitchen utensils could leach into food during heating, compounding the risk of exposure for households using these products regularly.
• Studies have shown that chemicals in black plastic, such as BPA and phthalates, disrupt the endocrine system, leading to potential reproductive health issues, obesity, and diabetes.
• It is difficult to recycle and often ends up in landfills or incinerators, releasing toxic substances like dioxins and furans into the air.

                                                           Source: Indian Express

Consider the following statements regarding Black Plastic:

1. It is often made from recycled electronic waste such as computers, TVs, and appliances.

2. It is used to make everyday items like food trays and containers.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only

B.2 only

C.Both 1 and 2

D.Neither 1 nor 2

Answer C