Art Supplies
- avoid PVC in smocks. Avoid modeling clays made of PVC (polymer clays such as Fimo and Sculpey)
Backpacks
- avoid backpacks with shiny plastic designs as they often contain PVC and may contain lead.
Clothing and Accessories
- look for PVC-free materials in raincoats, rainboots, prints on clothing and accessories such as handbags, jewelry and belts.
Lunchboxes and Food-wrap
- use cloth lunch bags or metal lunchboxes. Many plastic lunch boxes are made of or lined with PVC.
- Use PVC-free butcher paper, waxed paper, parchment paper, low density polyethylene (LDPE) or cellulose bags for food-wrap.
Notebooks
- avoid notebooks with metal spirals encased in colored plastic as it usually contains PVC.
Paperclips
-stick to the plain metal paperclips. Colored paper clips are coated with PVC.
Three-Ring Binders
- use cardboard, fabric-covered, or polypropylene
Showing posts with label School Supplies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label School Supplies. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Chemicals on School Supplies
A few days ago, I read from Philippine Star by Rhodina Villanueva that Environmental group EcoWaste Coalition has asked the Department of Trade and Industry or DTI to test commonly used school supplies for toxic chemicals. They are particularly concerned about the continued use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or plastic number 3, in school supplies and toys.
PVC is considered a poisonous type of plastic because of the use of cancer-causing chemicals to manufacture it. IT also leaches chemical additives such as cadmium,lead, organotins and phthalates when used and produces dioxins when burned.
Pthalates which are PVC softeners or plasticers, can cause life-long health problems such as autism, asthma, as well as developmental, nervous, reproductive and respiratory problems.
New York Based non-government organization Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) has published the "Back-to-School Guide to PVC-Free School Supplies" which offers practical tips on avoiding toxic school supplies. They advised not to buy backpacks with shiny plastic designs, plastic lunchboxes and 3-ring binders.
PVC is considered a poisonous type of plastic because of the use of cancer-causing chemicals to manufacture it. IT also leaches chemical additives such as cadmium,lead, organotins and phthalates when used and produces dioxins when burned.
Pthalates which are PVC softeners or plasticers, can cause life-long health problems such as autism, asthma, as well as developmental, nervous, reproductive and respiratory problems.
New York Based non-government organization Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) has published the "Back-to-School Guide to PVC-Free School Supplies" which offers practical tips on avoiding toxic school supplies. They advised not to buy backpacks with shiny plastic designs, plastic lunchboxes and 3-ring binders.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
