Some components of the school material may contain substances toxic to children.
Paints, colored pencils, pens, markers, glues … Many of the materials used in classrooms contain chemical substances that can be harmful to children.
These tips can help your children enjoy their school days, reducing their exposure to chemicals:
- The markersand pens with permanent inks and flavorings used chemical solvents to increase evaporation. Especially scented versions may contain phthalates that are substances that can cause hormonal alterations.
- Claysor modeling paste contain polymers that can also contain phthalates, which can be absorbed by children’s skin when modeled. It would be best to find that these products are free of phthalates.
- Colored pencils. Traditionally they were made with petroleum derivatives, but there are currently other options made from beeswax, soybean oil, and other natural ingredients, especially natural dyes much more suitable for school use.
- Adhesives Some adhesives such as contact and epoxies contain dangerous solvents that can contaminate the classroom air and can be absorbed through the skin. It is best to choose white glues, glue sticks and adhesive tapes.
- The best paintingsare water based paints. Acrylic paints containing ammonia and formaldehyde should be avoided.
In principle, the school material must comply with safety requirements to avoid dangers to children and its labeling must include the manufacturer’s information, safety warnings for the safe and correct use of the product, the composition, and the indications and symbols of danger in the case of products such as glues or paints.
Recommendations and basic rules for buying safe school supplies
- Buy products from well-known brandswill have a better guarantee that they comply with current regulations.
- Check that the product is in good condition, avoid offers in which the product is damaged or dirty.
- Buy in places of trust.
- If the school material is for young children, avoid products with attractive shapes or odorsthat can lead the child to confuse the product with treats or edible products
- Check that the labeling is marked CE(European Conformity) which indicates that the product meets the requirements of the European Union standards and is safe
