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Shopping for school supplies is often a tradition for families. Students look forward to picking out new notebooks, binders, and pens to kick off a new school year. Although this tradition is exciting, it is important for parents to be aware that products containing asbestos are being sold in stores across the nation. To prevent the ingestion of toxic chemicals and asbestos, parents are encouraged to look for natural products.
Parents are often unaware of the hidden chemicals in their children’s school supplies. However, using products with asbestos can have a negative impact on student health. Therefore, it is important to identify products that contain asbestos to keep children safe.
According to the United States Public Interest Research Group (USPIRG), there is evidence of Playskool Crayons, scented EXPO dry erase markers, The Board Dudes dry erase markers, and JOT three-ring binders containing harmful chemicals. The USPIRG report claims that the talc in Playskool Crayons contains asbestos. This conclusion was drawn after USPIRG conducted an experiment on 27 school supplies last year. These supplies are accessible and are sold on Amazon and in Dollar Tree stores.
Asbestos and toxic chemicals present health hazards. Toxic chemicals are known for causing long-term health problems. For example, toxic chemicals found in dry erase markers are linked to future fertility complications. Similarly, these toxins are known to cause certain cancers, including prostate and breast cancers.
Scented EXPO dry erase markers are known to have traces of BTEX, a combination of four toxic chemicals. These chemicals are known to have adverse health effects, including damage to the liver, kidney, and immune system. Benzene, a known carcinogen, is one of the four toxic chemicals. Asbestos is a known carcinogen linked to the deadly lung cancer, mesothelioma. Asbestos is particularly dangerous when ingested or inhaled. Young children often put school supplies near or in their mouths, leading to concerns about asbestos ingestion.
Toxic chemicals are found in many products, and it is important that parents know how to find non-toxic school supplies. The owner of Made Safe, a non-profit organization that aids in identifying non-toxic products, claims that parents should look for products that have certain seals that indicate a product contains non-toxic materials. Another tip for parents is to avoid products that contain fragrances. Similarly, the Made Safe owner recommends skipping products made from number three plastics. Parents are encouraged to find products that contain natural ingredients and utilize internet resources to research more about natural products.
If you received an asbestos diagnosis, please consider contacting a Philadelphia asbestos attorney at Brookman, Rosenberg, Brown & Sandler. Our lawyers display compassion while helping our clients throughout the legal process. If you are interested in speaking to one of our lawyers, contact us online or call us at 215-569-4000 for a free consultation. With an office located in Philadelphia, we proudly serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including Delaware County, Chester County, and Philadelphia County.