In late 2018 and early 2019, we tested 56 beaded necklaces collected from Gasparilla parades in Florida and from Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana. For necklaces that contained multiple bead colors or pendants, we tested these different components separately.
Of 66 components tested in the 56 necklaces, We found most of them contained high levels of bromine (70% of tested samples) and antimony (64% of tested samples), strongly suggesting the presence of brominated flame retardants and antimony trioxide. Most of these beads also contained levels of chlorine consistent with the presence of chlorinated flame retardants.
One-third (33%) of the samples contained over 100 parts per million (ppm) lead, ranging as high as 472 ppm. 100 ppm is the limit allowed in children's products in the United States.
Additional tests done only on the Gasparilla beads found that 12 out of 14 contained a triaryl phosphate chemical, likely a derivative of triphenyl phosphate. These phosphates are used as flame retardants or as plasticizers.
Chemistry | Frequency of Detection | Average (ppm) | Maximum (ppm) |
---|---|---|---|
Antimony >400 ppm | 64% | 2584 | 23184 |
Arsenic >25 ppm | 17% | 12 | 102 |
Bromine >400 ppm | 70% | 7115 | 53051 |
Chlorine >3500 ppm | 70% | 10063 | 39597 |
Lead >100 ppm | 33% | 86 | 427 |
Frequency of Detection of Elements in Bead/Pendant Samples From Mardi Gras/Gasparilla Beads (n=66 components from 56 necklaces)
These results aren't surprising. The Healthy Stuff Lab has tested Mardi Gras beads in the past. For one of our past studies, we dug deep and verified with third-party research labs that beads with high bromine measured by XRF contained multiple brominated flame retardants. Even PBDEs, which are no longer used in the U.S. due to their toxicity and persistence in our environment, were detected. Details of those analyses are in the paper we published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Environmental Protection in 2016.
Why are toxic chemicals present in so many Mardi Gras-type beads and at such significant levels? The short answer: Electronic waste. E-waste includes plastic housings of devices like computers, phones, and more. Those plastics are infused with flame retardant chemicals. Our prior research found strong evidence that these beads are made from recycled e-waste plastic.
Sample Name | ||
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Krewe of Nyx Pink Handbag and Round Beads | |
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Bacchus Large Gold Round Beads | |
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Bacchus Large Purple Cylindrical Beads | |
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Bacchus Large Silver Round Beads | |
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Bacchus Large Silver Round Beads | |
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Bacchus Small Gold Cylindrical Beads | |
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Bacchus Small Gold Cylindrical Beads | |
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Bacchus Small Green Cylindrical Beads | |
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Bacchus Small Purple Cylindrical Beads | |
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Bacchus Small Silver Cylindrical Beads | |
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Endymion Copper/Gold Beads | |
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Endymion Copper/Gold Beads | |
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Endymion Gold Beads | |
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Endymion Gold Beads | |
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Endymion Gold Beads | |
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Endymion Gold Beads | |
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Endymion Gold Beads | |
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Endymion Gold Beads | |
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Endymion Gold Beads | |
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Endymion Gold Beads | |
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Gasparilla beads blue mixed | |
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Gasparilla beads blue round | |
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Gasparilla beads gold disco | |
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Gasparilla beads green disco | |
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Gasparilla beads green round large | |
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Gasparilla beads green round small | |
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Gasparilla beads metallic pink round | |
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Gasparilla beads pink matte round | |
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Gasparilla beads purple round | |
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Gasparilla beads red diamond | |
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Gasparilla beads red hearts | |
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Gasparilla beads red round | |
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Gasparilla beads red skull and bones | |
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Gasparilla beads white round | |
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Gold King Cake Baby | |
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Gold Round Beads with Large Mixed Color Cleopatra Ornaments | |
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Green Beads with Funky Fox Pendant | |
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Green King Cake Baby | |
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Krewe of Alla Butterfly Plushy | |
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Krewe of Alla Large Pink Round Beads | |
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Krewe of Alla Purple Round Beads | |
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Krewe of Alla Round Gold Beads | |
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Krewe of Cleopatra Glasses | |
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Krewe of Freret Red Round and Flat Oval Legion of Mars Beads | |
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Krewe of Freret Ring | |
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Krewe of Freret Yellow Purple Green Chain | |
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Krewe of Nyx Eiffel Tower and Mixed Color Beads with Pendant | |
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Krewe of Nyx Pink Handbag and Round Beads | |
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Krewe of Nyx Round Pink Beads | |
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Krewe of Sparta Fish and Small Silver Round Beads | |
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Krewe of Sparta Green Round and Knights of Sparta Coin Beads | |
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Krewe of Sparta Red Mixed Beads | |
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Krewe of Thoth Ball | |
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Krewe of Thoth Green White Round Beads | |
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Krewe of Thoth Large Pink Beads with Thoth Pendant | |
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Krewe of Thoth Small Gold Round Beads | |
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Krewe of Thoth Small Green Round Beads | |
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Krewe of Thoth Small Purple Round Beads | |
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Mardi Gras Football | |
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Pink King Cake Baby | |
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Purple King Cake Baby | |
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Rex Gold Beads with Liza Pendant | |
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Rex Gold Beads with Maui Pendant | |
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Rex Gold Beads with Shamash Pendant | |
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Rex Purple Disco and Gold Crown Beads | |
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Rex Purple Round and Gold Crown Beads | |
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Rex Red Beads with Inti Pendant | |
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Rex Small Green Beads with Gold Coin Pendant | |
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Rex Vision of the Sun Pendant | |
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Small Silver King Cake Baby |