Moms Aware Logo

Connect With Us

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Watch momsAWARE on YouTube

Share Us With Others

momsAWARE Badge

This content may include affiliate links. Purchases through these links earn us a referral fee at no extra cost to you.

Hand Blenders: Cause for Concern

Hand BlenderA study released in October 2014 suggests that some hand (stick/immersion) blenders leak chlorinated paraffins, a type of chemical found in flame retardants, plasticizers, metal working fluids, and more. CPs are classified as toxic to aquatic organisms and carcinogenic to rats and mice. Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) are categorized in group 2B as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Researchers at Stockholm University discovered the CPs while looking for environmental contaminants in cat food. The chlorinated paraffins showed up in disturbing amounts and were traced to in-house blending of the food, rather than to the food itself.

According to the study,

After re-analysing samples with and without the use of a newly bought hand blender used for preparing homogeneous cat food samples, we concluded that the hand blender caused the contamination. In addition, a small hole was drilled just above the mixer blades and content of the compartment drilled into was analysed and the presence of CPs was confirmed.

The European Union currently prohibits the use of SCCPs in products, and the Environmental Protection Agency has its eye on the potential hazards of SCCPs.

Do all brands leak CPs?

The research team purchased 12 hand-held blenders available in Sweden, as noted below.

  1. Matsui
  2. Voltage
  3. Bosch
  4. OBH Nordica, Chili
  5. OBH Nordica, Kitchen, Quickmix
  6. Braun Multiquick 3
  7. Philips, ProMix
  8. OBH Nordica, Indigo
  9. Electrolux, Ultramix Pro
  10. Coline
  11. Russel Hobbs
  12. OBH Nordica Kitchen, Quickprep 500

Four of the brands did not show leakage: #3, #4, #7, and #8. The remaining brands showed leakage of SCCPs. One of the authors of the study, Ake Bergman, provided the following photo of the eight models showing leakage.

Hand Blenders Leaking CPs

Of these eight models showing leakage, four were made in China. According to the study,

Four of the twelve hand blenders tested are produced in China, all showing leakage of CPs, and three of them were among the five showing the highest levels. China is also the major CP producer, with an annual production of over 600 000 tonnes in 2007.

When asked about the four models that did not show leakage, Dr. Bergman responded,

To the best of our knowledge the blenders not leaking CPs are to be regarded as safe.

What does this mean for brands commonly found in the United States like Cuisinart, Proctor Silex, Hamilton Beach, and KitchenAid? Further research seems to be in order.

This study offers a grim reminder that chemicals have found their way into virtually every aspect of our lives and vigilance must become a way of life. While complete avoidance of chemicals may not be feasible, we can become informed and make our purchasing decisions accordingly.

As the study concludes:

The results we are presenting in this screening study are unexpected and serious since humans eating food prepared using the hand blenders leaking CPs will become exposed to CPs. This is of particular concern since these types of household appliances often are used and recommended for preparing food for small children.

To read the Stockholm University study in its entirety, download the PDF report.

Quotes

"We had some water leaks in our home... we never thought we needed to clean out and remove the floor, the ceiling, or the drywall... my two small children and I have remained constantly sick for years in this home."

– Mia

"I started finding myself sitting on the floor in rooms of my house and not remembering how I got there, what I was doing before, or how long I had been there."

– Brenda

"Both of my sons went downhill quickly and coughed for months... They both lost their ability to read, had profound vision disturbances, and had phenomenal gastric issues."

– Lee

"My daughter started having digestive problems... heart palpitations... coughing episodes... muscle/joint pain... asthma/allergies... Her doctor finally advised me to check for mold in our home."

– Anonymous

"My symptoms persisted and eventually turned into lethargy and depression. At the age of 26, I required a nap every evening after work."

– Jennifer

"I was skeptical at first that these (natural cleaning) products would work, but they work better than the stuff I buy at the store! We will soon be moving to the personal care products as well!"

– Jennifer

"I knew it was mold, but doctors kept telling me I had anxiety. I was sitting in my office and could not remember who I was talking to, or what we were talking about."

– Brenda

"I'm new at this, but today I cleaned my bathroom with baking soda and vinegar. It's much better not having those strong chemical smells afterwards."

– Anonymous

"I had been struggling with headaches, head fog, breathing difficulties (unable to get a full breath), constant scalp tingling, migraines, nausea, feeling spacey/detached, and severe itchy skin."

– Anonymous

"The ERMI mold test as well as your helpful articles and Toxic Talk Tuesday programs have helped us avoid a terrible mistake in purchasing a new home."

– Angela

"We were having a lot of health problems and had been to the doctor countless times... we had large circles of slimy greenish-black mold on the bathroom ceiling, where it had caved in a few months before."

– C.

"We all suffered from headaches, hormonal body temperature fluctuations, brain fog, fatigue, difficulty breathing, thrush, rashes, and yeast infections... we vacated our home two weeks ago."

– Anonymous

"I have been sick for almost 6 months now and doctors were not able to figure out why. I finally put it all together after going away for vacation for a week and suddenly my symptoms were going away."

– Anonymous

"I've been living in a mold-infested home for 13 months... I was going CRAZY! Finally figured it out... Just a few days of recovering in a mold-free home and I feel AMAZING!!!"

– Lauren

"...at age 35 or 36 I started to become allergic to everything, and I got asthma at age 36... I went to doctor after doctor after doctor and was desperate for help, but nobody could help me."

– Mia

"My daughter has had many blood samples taken to test for everything imaginable and her doctor just seems puzzled. Everything comes back normal."

– Anonymous

"The entire time we lived in our (mold-infested) house the kitchen sponge would get musty smelling within 3-4 days. It was so strange. I had to buy a pack of sponges nearly every week."

– Anonymous

"Our family has been out of our home for 9 months due to mold... I am so scared and weak from all of this. We have lost friends; family members don't understand."

– Anonymous

"In my moldy home if I left the wet clothes in the washer they would get musty very quickly and I'd have to re-wash... Sometimes I'd run a load, go to work, and they'd be musty when I returned that evening."

– Anonymous

This site is dedicated to a true friend and mother — Barbara Dell Kessel (1929-2009)