Watchdog Group Issues Warning On Toxic School Supplies
SCHOOL SUPPLIES – An environmental watchdog group urged parents on to inspect their children’s school supplies for toxic chemicals.
With only days remaining before classes begin nationwide on July 29, an environmental watchdog group has called on parents to inspect their children’s school supplies for toxic chemicals. On Wednesday, the group released a study highlighting the dangerous levels of cadmium and lead in many back-to-school items.
The EcoWaste Coalition conducted an investigation from July 5 to 13, examining 110 school products, including water bottles and erasers, bought from retail stores in Metro Manila and online sellers. They discovered a concerning trend of chemical contamination.
Aileen Lucero, the group’s national coordinator, emphasized that their findings indicate that “toxic school supplies remain a public health issue that our society, consumers, regulators and educators in particular, should be concerned about.”
The group also pointed out shortcomings in product labeling and chemical safety. Out of the 110 items examined, 60 had no labeling information, and the rest were inadequately labeled. None of the samples provided information about the chemicals in the products, and 11 crayons lacked the essential “nontoxic” mark.
Chemical screening revealed widespread contamination: 18 backpacks and lunch bags contained high levels of lead, with some also containing cadmium. One pouch bag’s zipper paint had an alarming lead concentration of 28,230 parts per million (ppm), while stainless steel water bottles showed lead levels of up to 100,000 ppm in their coatings, both exceeding safety limits.
The findings were similar for plastic items such as envelopes, folders, and notebook covers, as well as raincoats and paperclips, all of which contained dangerous levels of either cadmium or lead.
EcoWaste called on the government to enforce stricter regulations, including a complete ban on hazardous chemicals in children’s products and mandatory ingredient labeling.
The group advised parents to carefully read product labels and avoid PVC plastic, particularly those with strong chemical odors. For plastic school supplies with a strong smell, it suggested placing them in direct sunlight to help dissipate the odor.
EcoWaste also provided additional tips: choose erasers labeled “phthalate free” or “PVC-free” and avoid scented or food-shaped varieties.
For crayons, opt for those with a “nontoxic” label. For water bottles, it recommended plain stainless steel options over painted ones unless they are certified “lead safe.”
READ ALSO: Senior High School Valedictorian Confesses Admiration for Crush on Graduation Speech