A new study, titled “Is Plastic Recycling Safe?”, released today by Toxics Link, has revealed that plastic recycling in India is not safe, and products made from recycled plastic may be detrimental to human health. In the study conducted in India, researchers from the Delhi-based environmental group have found a toxic cocktail of chemicals in food contact materials and toy samples made from recycled plastic, rendering them unsuitable for consumer uses. This study raises significant concerns about the efficiency and safety of the plastic recycling process, bringing a new environmental issue to light.

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The study, conducted from October to January 2023, tested different products made from recycled plastic, including non-branded food and drink containers and children’s toys from local markets. Lead researcher Priti Banthia Mahesh, Chief Programme Coordinator, Toxics Link, said, "With mounting concerns surrounding plastic pollution and the industry pushing for recycling as the perfect solution, it is imperative that we critically assess the safety of plastic recycling practices. Our report clearly shows that recycled plastic is not clean and maybe full of chemicals. The study offers valuable insights that can inform decision-making and drive positive change in this crucial area."

Key Findings:
Presence of Harmful Chemicals: An alarming 67 per cent of tested products contained one or more of the five chemicals investigated, including phthalates, chlorinated paraffins, heavy metals, bisphenol A, and nonylphenol. These chemicals pose various health risks, including impacts on the reproductive system and pregnancy, respiratory issues, dermal effects, and DNA damage.

- 86% of the toys tested positive for a chemical, with the majority of those containing two or more. For example, rubber ducks contained single-chain chlorinated paraffins (338 mg/kg), cadmium (89 mg/kg), nonylphenol (522 mg/kg), and high levels of DEHP and DINP phthalates, while a mouth organ contained bisphenol A (12.7 mg/kg), nonylphenol (41.1 mg/kg), and the DEHP phthalate (220000 mg/kg). A locally available Rubik’s cube contained bisphenol A, chlorinated paraffins, as well as lead and chromium. 

- 67 per cent of the food contact materials tested positive for one or more chemicals. Bisphenol A was found in masala boxes (161 mg/kg), water bottles (.34 mg/kg), and other food containers, while one of the food containers primarily used for casseroles also contained single-chain chlorinated paraffins (111 mg/kg).

- These products are commonly used in low-income communities across India, amplifying the risk of direct chemical transmission to vulnerable populations, especially children. 

The study highlights the broader issue of chemical contamination in plastic manufacturing and recycling processes. A recent technical report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) found 13,000 chemicals present in plastic; 7,000 have hazard data of which 3,200 are chemicals of concern. “Not enough is known about the remaining chemicals to categorize them as concerning or not and hence they continue to be used,” Mahesh said. 

The report also sheds light on the absence of comprehensive standards and regulations governing the production of recycled plastic products. This lack of oversight allows for the proliferation of potentially hazardous materials in consumer goods, exacerbating health and environmental risks. Some of the chemicals found in the tested products have bans and restrictions in different countries.

Satish Sinha, Associate Director of Toxics Link, says that serious action must be taken soon. “In view of the growing scientific evidence on the presence of highly hazardous and toxic chemicals in recycled products, the recycling of plastic is fraught with serious threat to human health. We must not advocate for indiscriminate recycling of plastic as a strategy for waste minimization. Instead, the focus must be on removing toxic chemicals from plastics,” he said.