With the new school year quickly approaching, it is time to begin back-to-school shopping. Before doing so, it is important parents are aware that some popular school supplies such as crayons, markers, binders, and dry erase markers may contain dangerous chemicals.
A test of 27 different school supplies, conducted in 2018 by the nonprofit U.S. PIRG, found that there could be dangerous chemicals in commonly purchased supplies such as Jot three-ring binders and Playskool crayons. If that’s not scary enough, the chemicals in The Board Dudes dry erase markers can even disrupt a child’s hormonal system, with links to breast cancer, prostate cancer, and infertility.
Health Hazards in the Classroom
In addition to toxic chemicals being found in school supplies, often times the cleaning wipes teachers use in the classroom are made of plastic and often contain chemicals. Even some hand soap and sanitizers – the products we teach our children to use to clean their hands – contain chemicals.
The reason many of these items pass inspection and are still on the market is because the toxins they contain fall within permissible limits allowed by law. However, organizations such as Made Safe share products made without known toxic chemicals and dangerous ingredients to be aware of so you can make safer choices when shopping for you and your family.
Be Proactive
The most important thing that you can do when it comes to your children’s health and the items that they utilize or consume is to do your own homework. Conducting your own research and utilizing resources such as Made Safe will allow you to make more informed decisions.
Henson Fuerst Can Help
If you or a loved one have been harmed due to exposure to a toxic material or product, let the experienced North Carolina toxic exposure lawyer at Henson Fuerst help you to navigate the legal system and be your advocate. At Henson Fuerst, we fight for what serves our clients best. To learn more, call us at 919-781-1107 or submit a free consultation form.
