Counterpoint: this seems to be the crusade of a single researcher - I don't find the data personally convincing and am still using my black spatula for cooking.

Black plastic products—such as spatulas, sushi trays, and children’s toys—are regularly made from recycled electronic waste. Many of these products contain concerning levels of flame retardants—and they are leaching into our food, Zoë Schlanger reports:

theatlantic.com

Throw Out Your Black Plastic Spatula

542

gidmkhealthnerd

6 hours ago

I think what's interesting here is that the researcher has identified a real issue - electronic waste probably shouldn't be recycled into goods used in cooking or toys - but the alarmism is ridiculous. Based on a worst-case scenario, you may be getting nanograms (billionths of a gram) of bromine or lead from your spatula, which is lower than the amount that you get from eating fresh fruit.

gidmkhealthnerd

6 hours ago

However, I will say that regulation on recycling of plastics seems important. It should not be possible for ANY lead to make its way into the plastic used in dummies, for example. The health impact is likely small - even for babies, the quantities that they could actually get from chewing on a black dummy are tiny - but it's still not ideal that the production chain is so invisible that stuff like this is happening.

oesterle

a day ago

Between exclusively using upcycled electronic spatulas and keeping up my regular booster shots, I look forward to really really good 5G cellular reception. 😜

dr.andrealove

6 hours ago

I’m really tired of media outlets, wellness people, and now medfluencers spreading clickbait and fear mongering about science topics they don’t understand.

123

paullovesdominoes

a day ago

@dr.andrealove

might have some good opinions on this one….

dr.andrealove

6 hours ago

It’s on my to-do list - dealing with an urgent family issue + my actual job + the MAHA crew = limited time.But the theme is the same: poor scientific methodology trying to create problems using fishing expedition style studies. The PRESENCE of a chemical - especially at minuscule levels, doesn’t equal clinical relevance.Unfortunately media outlets LOVE to spread chemophobia - and that has actually allowed much of the MAHA conspiracies to stick.

kid.presentab1e

a day ago

What about the data isn't convincing? Testing stuff for chemicls isn't very hard.

chef_wormy

a day ago

I dont use any plastic cookware. Wood, glass, or metal for this professional shef 💪🏽

landotter

5 hours ago

I'm more worried about the coming theofascist authoritarian regime in the US than sanctimonious concern trolling from a single hand wringing dip shit.

dannymittleman

a day ago

Big spatula just wants you to buy more product.

john_on_mars

16 hours ago

I think you are probably right to be skeptical, but if we flip it around and ask what is the most easily available safe material, it has to be wood or metal?This story happens to coincide with my rekindled interest in my carbon steel wok. So I'm good.

perpetuityphoto

a day ago

A single researcher with a very specific agenda. Make you afraid of "Electronic waste", aka Recycling.Who profits making people afraid of recycling, and who will inevitably start pushing the idea of "Virgin Plastics"?

carol.andersen.71

5 hours ago

Oh good point! Yes, I bet that will be the "follow up article'. How recycled plastic is bad for you etc etc. Brought to you by the plastic manufacturering industry. .☹️

krfeucht

a day ago

I think I want my spatulas to be flame retardent. Is that wrong?

blanksforever

a day ago

I’m pretty sure using teflon with tiny scratches is WAY WAY WAY more dangerous. Also please make sure you don’t use them and dispose of properly.allrecipes.com/artic…

allrecipes.com

When Is a Nonstick Pan No Longer Safe to Use?

darkwing.eagle

a day ago

I made my black spatula food-safe by painting it with lead paint, and then because I covered up the flame retardants with the paint, I coated it with asbestos! Then, just to be safe, I slathered some Ivermectin on it in case the asbestos or lead paint was contaminated with COVID. And finally, I wrapped the whole thing in aluminum foil because, you know, chemtrails.

More clickbait 🙄

Some implements used to (unknowingly?) be made from radioactive materials.

alliefnp

15 hours ago

“We’re likely being made out of recycled waste”. Likely or were?

opulencenow

14 hours ago

What’s your official take on bottled water? Totally avoid? Is there any meta-analysis study available? Microplastics, water consumption…? Thank you so much

wbf87

17 hours ago

Metal spatula / cast iron cookware better, irrespective of any alleged health benefits

adventuregirl

7 hours ago

Yep. Plastic all together. Use metal everything!!!!

strangealchemies

a day ago

It kills me. This is so easy to test and clear up. Times like this make me wish I worked in an academic lab and could just run some of these tests. But noooo, I have to pay back student loans and increase value for the shareholders.Phooey.

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