"Black Mirror" is a science fiction TV series that looks at the unexpected consequences of new technologies and contemporary behavior — and paints a dystopian portrait of the near future that would give "The Twilight Zone’s" Rod Serling nightmares.

But that's nothing compared to the unexpected consequences of using recycled black plastic for food packaging and utensils.

A new study in the journal Environment International found that toxins such as bromine and lead showed up in some of 600 black plastic consumer products they tested, including cocktail stirrers and children's toys.

Because black plastic looks cool, folks like it. But it's hard to recycle (something about the recycling technology doesn't work well on dark colors).

In order to obtain black plastic, manufacturers are relying on "the plastic housings of end-of-life waste electronic and electrical equipment" (WEEE).

Inefficiently sorted WEEE plastic has the potential to introduce restricted and hazardous substances into the recycled black plastic, including brominated flame retardants (BFRs); Sb, a flame retardant synergist; and the heavy metals cadmium, chromium, mercury, and lead.

Those toxins can cause everything from reproductive and thyroid problems to neurotoxicity, mental retardation, and kidney, bone, and lung disease.

Scientists at the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom have sounded the alarm and given us an opportunity to mount a campaign that will stop the use of black plastic altogether: Don't buy black plastic bags and refuse to order takeout from places that serve their food in black plastic.

Just say "No" loudly and consistently. Then you'll be looking at a healthier person in the mirror.