Now this happens specifically in recycled black plastics because they're mixed in with electronic plastics containing flame retardants.

現在，這種情況特別發生在回收的黑色塑膠中，因為它們與含有阻燃劑的電子塑膠混合在一起。

And when they're turned into consumer goods like spatulas or takeout containers, those toxic chemicals remain.

而當它們變成鍋鏟或外賣容器等消費品時，這些有毒化學物質就會殘留下來。

Researchers examined 203 products containing black plastics for bromine, a toxic chemical used to make flame retardants, and it found the toxins in 85% of the products with total concentrations ranging up to nearly 23,000 parts per million.

研究人員對 203 種含有黑色塑膠的產品進行了溴（一種用於製造阻燃劑的有毒化學物質）檢測，結果發現 85% 的產品含有這種毒素，總濃度高達近 23,000 ppm。

Dr. Leonardo Tresande joins us now.

萊昂納多-特雷桑德博士現在加入我們。

He's a professor of pediatrics and population health at NYU Langone Health.

他是紐約大學朗貢衛生院兒科和人口健康學教授。

Doctor, good to have you with us.

醫生，很高興你能來。

Talk to us about how big of a concern exposure is to these types of chemicals.

請與我們討論接觸此類化學品的危害有多大。

Is there a safe level of bromine in plastics?

塑膠中的溴有安全水準嗎？

Well, it's easier to recycle this particular color of plastic because it mixes more readily and allows for a final product.

嗯，這種顏色的塑膠更容易回收，因為它更容易混合，可以製成最終產品。

But the problem is that these particular plastics that make it recyclable are coming from electronics.

但問題是，這些可回收的特殊塑膠來自電子產品。

And these electronics have flame retardants added in them to prevent them burning up.

這些電子產品中添加了阻燃劑，以防止它們燃燒起來。

And that means that they enhance their concentration of flame retardants that we know are toxic to brain development and have other effects, even cancer.

這意味著它們會提高阻燃劑的濃度，而我們知道阻燃劑對大腦發育有毒，還會產生其他影響，甚至致癌。

Is there a safe level?

有沒有一個安全水準？

When you hear that 23 parts per million, does that concern you being a pediatrician?

當你聽到百萬分之 23 時，作為兒科醫生，你會擔心嗎？

There are no safe levels of these brominated flame retardants.

這些溴化阻燃劑沒有安全含量。

At the lowest levels of exposure, they can shift the function of thyroid hormone during pregnancy.

在最低的暴露水準下，它們會改變孕期甲狀腺激素的功能。

And the baby relies on mom's thyroid hormone through the second trimester of pregnancy.

在懷孕的後三個月，胎兒一直依賴媽媽的甲狀腺激素。

And even in the clinically normal range, small shifts in thyroid hormone can contribute to cognitive deficits and even autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

即使在臨床正常範圍內，甲狀腺激素的微小變化也會導致認知障礙，甚至自閉症和注意力缺陷多動障礙。

Well, and we know that a lot of times these toxic chemicals are leached, especially when they're exposed to heat.

我們知道，很多時候，這些有毒化學物質會被浸出，尤其是當它們暴露在高溫下時。

And so it's particularly concerning when I'm reading this, thinking about spatulas, thinking about takeout containers that people oftentimes will heat up by putting in the microwave without taking the food out of them.

是以，當我讀到這篇文章時，想到鍋鏟，想到人們經常不把食物拿出來就放進微波爐加熱的外賣容器，我就特別擔心。

Given that the chemicals are continuing and persisting through the recycling process, should we ban recycling these electronic goods for consumer or products that would end up being in the kitchen?

鑑於這些化學物質在回收過程中會持續存在，我們是否應該禁止回收這些電子消費品或最終會進入廚房的產品？

Well, the main takeaway here is that these chemicals don't discriminate by the color of plastic.

那麼，這裡的主要啟示是，這些化學物質並不區分塑膠的顏色。

We know that chemicals that hack our hormones, our normal signaling molecules, underlying basic biological functions are common across all different types of plastic.

我們知道，各種不同類型的塑膠中都含有影響荷爾蒙、正常信號分子和基本生物功能的化學物質。

Recycling appears to concentrate additional chemical exposures because of the other materials that are in the trash that is essentially sifted to create recycled plastic.

回收利用似乎集中了更多的化學物質，因為垃圾中的其他材料基本上都被篩選出來，用於製造回收塑膠。

But virgin plastic also presents additional chemical exposure concerns.

但是，原生塑膠也會帶來額外的化學接觸問題。

The chemicals used to soften plastic phthalates are known to mimic estrogen and antagonize the male sex hormone, testosterone.

眾所周知，用於軟化塑膠的化學物質鄰苯二甲酸鹽會模擬雌激素，並拮抗雄性激素睪酮。

It can also contribute to obesity as well as other metabolic effects.

它還會導致肥胖以及其他代謝影響。

So I think that people are hearing this and are going to be very concerned, to say the least.

是以，我認為人們聽到這個消息後，至少會非常擔心。

How do we protect our family then?

那我們該如何保護家人呢？

Well, there's safe and simple steps we can all take.

那麼，我們都可以採取一些安全而簡單的措施。

And they don't require a PhD in chemistry and they don't have to break the bank.

它們不需要化學博士學位，也不需要破費。

Particularly, we need to reduce our plastic footprint.

尤其是，我們需要減少塑膠足跡。

We need to use more stainless steel and glass.

我們需要使用更多的不鏽鋼和玻璃。

When we go grab that nonstick cooking pan, we have to realize that there's a plastic layer on top that prevents the sticking in the first place.

當我們拿起不粘鍋烹飪時，我們必須意識到上面有一層塑膠層，可以從根本上防止粘鍋。

Whereas cast iron and stainless steel are perfectly reasonable alternatives.

而鑄鐵和不鏽鋼則是完全合理的替代品。

Adding a little olive oil to your cast iron pan doesn't hurt either because olive oil has good fats that are good for your heart as well.

在鑄鐵鍋中加入少許橄欖油也無妨，因為橄欖油中含有對心臟有益的脂肪。

In addition, we need to particularly avoid machine dish washing and microwaving plastic because that can enhance the leaching and breakdown of the plastic materials into the food that we eat and drink.

此外，我們尤其要避免用機器洗碗和微波爐加熱塑膠，因為這樣會加劇塑膠材料在我們吃喝的食物中的浸出和分解。

And if the plastic is obviously etched or scratched, it's time to throw that away.

如果塑膠上有明顯的蝕刻或劃痕，就該扔掉了。

Very good concrete points.

非常好的具體觀點。

Dr. Leonardo Tresande, thank you.

萊昂納多-特雷桑德博士，謝謝你。

Thank you for having me.

謝謝你們邀請我。