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Your kids’ cute plastic plates and bowls may survive just about any fall — but what’s hiding inside them could be far more troubling than a tantrum that sends the dishes flying.
Turns out, a potentially cancer-causing chemical linked to kidney and reproductive problems is widely used in the shatterproof tableware marketed to children.
Now, a growing number of countries are scrutinizing its use, as advocates warn that young, still-developing bodies could be especially vulnerable to its health effects.
The chemical, melamine, is a synthetic compound rich in nitrogen. When combined with formaldehyde under intense heat and pressure, it forms a hard, lightweight plastic that is tough to chip, crack, scratch or shatter.
It’s also easy to mold into virtually any shape, color or design, making it especially popular for children’s dishware.
In the US, melamine is approved for use in a range of products, including cups, plates, bowls, utensils, paper goods, industrial coatings and food packaging.
Despite its many advantages for manufacturers, melamine has come under scrutiny over safety concerns, particularly the possibility that it can seep into food and drinks.
Those concerns are fueled in part by its cancer classification. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) considers melamine “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”
That designation is based partly on animal studies, including research that found urinary bladder tumors in male rats fed high doses of melamine over extended periods.
Even so, the IARC says available research has not established a direct link between melamine exposure and cancer in humans.
In the US, the Environmental Protection Agency has also found the evidence insufficient to determine whether melamine causes cancer in humans.
But cancer isn’t the only potential health risk. At high levels, melamine consumption has been linked to serious kidney problems, including kidney stones and kidney failure.
One of the most alarming examples came in 2008, when infant formula in China was deliberately contaminated with melamine. More than 294,000 children were affected, many developed kidney stones and six died.
The effects of chronic, low-level exposure is still being studied, but research suggests it may contributed to an increased risk for kidney stones in children and adults.
Beyond kidney damage, some studies have found that melamine may also interfere with the body’s hormone system, raising concerns about possible effects on brain function and reproductive health.
Growing research into melamine’s possible health effects has prompted countries such as Canada and members of the European Union to take a closer look at its use in dishware.
How worried should US parents be?
The FDA continues to allow melamine in certain food-contact products.
The agency has tested melamine dishware and found that, while small amounts of the chemical can migrate into food and drinks, the levels are well below what it considers toxic.
The FDA has set a tolerable daily intake of 0.063 milligrams of melamine per kilogram of body weight per day.
Still, the agency warns against microwaving plastic dishware unless it is specifically labeled microwave-safe. High temperatures can cause more melamine to migrate from the plastic into food.
Acidic foods and drinks, including orange juice and tomato-based products, can also draw out more melamine than less acidic options, according to FDA testing.
Parents who would rather skip the chemical altogether can opt for plates and bowls made from alternative materials, such as ceramic, glass or stainless steel.
Signs of melamine poisoning can include irritability, blood in the urine, little or no urine output, symptoms of a kidney infection and high blood pressure.
The FDA advises that anyone experiencing these symptoms after a suspected exposure should seek medical attention.
