Hong Kong must watch out for dangers of black plastic

全部空氣污染氣候變化能源環境保護光污染政策評論山徑保育塑膠議題廢物議題減廢回收水資源

Hong Kong must watch out for dangers of black plastic

2024-12-10

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塑膠議題

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污染減塑 廢物管理

(10 Dec 2024 SCMP)

In our daily lives, it is not uncommon to encounter black plastic items such as takeaway containers, kitchenware and children’s toys. However, recent research published in the journal Chemosphere suggests that we should consider avoiding black plastic products (“Danger: kitchen utensils made of black recycled plastic could be poisoning you, study says”, November 24).

The study examined 203 consumer products for bromine, a key indicator of the use of flame retardants, and then checked those with high levels of bromine for flame retardants. The result was: 85 per cent of those checked contained flame retardants, with some concentrations reaching up to 22,800 milligrams per kilogram, and included a type of flame retardant – decabromodiphenyl ether, or decaBDE for short – that is so toxic it has been banned by the US Environmental Protection Agency after being linked with cancer.

The study found decaBDE in 70 per cent of the samples tested, at levels ranging from five to 1,200 times greater than the European Union’s limit of 10 parts per million.

While flame retardants are primarily used for safety purposes, they raise significant health concerns, including carcinogenicity, endocrine and thyroid disruption, neurotoxicity and reproductive toxicity.

One might question the necessity of flame retardants in items like sushi trays or children’s toys. Unfortunately, they enter our daily lives through recycled plastic.

To mitigate this risk, the Hong Kong government has rightly banned certain single-use plastic items, addressing both health and plastic issues simultaneously. The Environmental Protection Department should expedite the implementation of phase two of this ban and enforce stricter regulations on packaging materials.

The chemical decaBDE is a member of the polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDE, class of flame retardants. The Hong Kong government should consider assigning the Consumer Council to test for PBDEs in products and packaging, especially those related to food as well as children.

The Environmental Protection Department should also initiate public education campaigns to advise residents to avoid using black plastics or, better yet, disposable plastics for handling their food and drinks.

The recent United Nations meeting in Busan, South Korea, to negotiate a global plastics treaty ended without an agreement. However, it is our generation’s responsibility to seize the opportunity to ensure a non-toxic, sustainable future for our children and their descendants.

Dr. Rico Wong Tze-kang, deputy director, The Green Earth

Source: Hong Kong must watch out for dangers of black plastic

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