Question

Black-colored plastic used for kitchen utensils and toys linked to banned toxic flame retardants

Answer 1

After reading the CNN article, an additional article by Beyond Plastics, as well as the original study posted by Toxic-Free Future, I strongly believe that the claim that "the plastic in black-colored plastic used in toys and kitchen utensils is linked to banned, toxic flame retardants" is true. The study explains that the toys and utensils were contaminated with the retardants in the electronic waste process. There is so much as 3% flame retardants found in different items, most notably children's costume bead jewelry. The "toxic" flame retardants in question are decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE) chemicals, which have been banned since 2021 and have shown to cause a plethora of issues, such as cancer and child development issues.

Comments

I think this a really well done fact check. I think that cross checking your sources is a great tool that supported your argument. My only suggestion would be to add another sentence stating the credibility of Toxic-Free Future only because I think that it's not as widely known as other sources. Overall great fact check with a really strong argument.

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Agreed. From Toxic-Free Future’s mission and history page: “Toxic-Free Future (TFF) was originally founded in Seattle, WA, in 1981 as Washington Toxics Coalition, a local grassroots group dedicated to reducing dangerous pesticide use in forests and on roadsides and farms. More than 40 years later, we have evolved into a leading national organization that drives strong laws and corporate responsibility that protect the health of all people and the planet.”

Their longevity adds to their credibility, in my opinion, especially as a grassroots group.

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I agree with your findings about the longevity of the group, and would like to add that they also received the "future policy award" in 2023 from the World Future Council, a German non-profit backed by the Good and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, further establishing their credibility as they have gained the attention of other large organizations who push for this kind of research.