A recent study has uncovered concerning levels of toxic flame retardants in black plastic products, such as toys and kitchen utensils. These harmful chemicals, believed to stem from recycled electronics, have found their way into everyday items, raising serious health concerns.

Among the tested products, toy pirate coin beads, often found in children’s costumes, had the highest concentration of flame retardants, reaching up to 22,800 parts per million. This means that nearly 3% of the toy’s weight consists of these dangerous chemicals. This alarming discovery highlights the risks of recycled electronics materials making their way into products we use daily, especially those meant for children.

This study sheds light on the potential dangers of recycling and urges stricter regulations on the materials used in consumer goods.