Dangerous chemicals found in recycled plastics, making them unsafe for use – experts explain the hazards
Dangerous chemicals found in recycled plastics, making them unsafe for use – experts explain the hazards
Recycled plastics are not safe if the chemicals used in creating them in the first place are harmful.
We found 191 pesticides, 107 pharmaceuticals and 81 industrial compounds among many others in the recycled plastic pellets.
This sentence seems so meaningless. Things being pesticides or pharmaceuticals doesn’t make them harmful and even if they are harmful, are they in concentrations that matter for humans?
The science article they link: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adk9846
Uses much better more meaningful language to describe the same problem! It is also much shorter and easier to read.
Enter Europe's precautionary principle when it comes to food safety: you don't have to show that a chemical is harmful to ban it, but you have to prove it safe to be allowed in the food cycle. Guilty until proven innocent.
This could potentially be extremely concerning in that a lot of 'greener' options for parents trying to provide toys/strollers/car seats/bibs/dishware etc to their children include recycled plastics. Lots of maternity clothing as well advertises that it's made of recycled polyester! I hope that stuff gets pulled from the shelves until it's investigated more.
The truth is that plastic has never been recyclable, and has never been "safe" for use. Plastic is absolutely one of the biggest environmental tragedies of the petroleum age.
So a toothbrush made from recycled plastic isn't the best idea.