"Recycled black plastics leach hazardous chemicals that disrupt metabolism and hormone genes, raising hidden safety concerns for everyday consumer products."
"Black recycled plastic pellets bought from recyclers in India, Nigeria and Taiwan released 84 different chemicals into water in two days.
That water then altered the activity of fat and hormone genes in zebrafish embryos, according to a study from the University of Gothenburg.
The pellets are the same raw material that manufacturers buy to make black spatulas, utensils, takeout trays and storage tubs.
The paper appeared in the Journal of Hazardous Materials. Survival, hatching, and swimming behavior in the fish did not change. The gene effects showed up after five days at the highest dose tested."
Derek Davis reports for Earth.com October 1, 2026.
SEE ALSO:
"Delaware River Basin Microplastics Study Reveals Widespread Contamination" (Lehigh Valley Live)
"Great Waste In The Great Lakes: How Plastic Pollution Is Clogging Our Waters" (Chicago Tribune)
