When you send your kid to school or buy them normal products supposedly designed for children, you generally do not assume that they are at great risk. Unfortunately, some of the most common school supplies can have major dangers to them. The best way to avoid this issue is to only buy products with the AP label, which is given by the Art and Creative Materials Institute to certify that the product is both safe for children and non-toxic.
- Crayons
- Markers
- Water Bottles
- Binders
Believe it or not, after independent lab testing of six types of crayons, one of them tested positive for asbestos. The crayons in question were purchased at Dollar Tree and came in a 36 count box. The substance found was tremolite, which is a type of asbestos, which is very harmful to the health of humans it comes into contact with. Children who breathe in these tiny fibers are at risk of long-term lung, throat, and GI issues, some of which take five decades to develop.
Another test by an independent lab looked at two different types of washable markers and two types of dry-erase markers. They found that the marker made by Board Dudes had benzene in it. Benzene is considered a likely carcinogen and has been linked to increases in the risk of leukemia as well as the proper functioning of the liver, immune system, and kidney.
There have been two recalls from the Consumer Product Safety Commission of two types of water bottles due to their high levels of lead. Stores are not legally allowed to sell products when they have been recalled but you may have them already in your home. We recommend looking at the brand of your child’s water bottle and checking to see if it is one of the recalled brands: Reduce Hydro Pro Furry Friends or GSI Outdoors Children’s Water Bottle.
It may seem that the only way binders are dangerous is if you get your finger caught in the teeth of them. This is false. Yet another independent lab found that blue, three-ring binders sold by Jot contained phthalates. The level was high enough that the Consumer Product Safety Commission found them unsafe for children.
What to Do if Your Child is Using Toxic Products
First of all, remove them from your child’s use immediately. If your child has already been injured or is at risk for long-term effects of products, contact a personal injury attorney who can help you find the best way forward. You may have legal recourse that could help you recoup damages such as pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages. Contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker now at 800-333-0000 to request a free legal consultation.
