As if parents don’t have enough to worry about as back-to-school season gets underway.
Apparently, finding ways to pay for a mountain of school supplies, worrying about bullies on the bus, cajoling kids into bed at night and out in the morning, packing lunches, prepping outfits and finding the perfect bag, is not nearly enough for parents to deal with as September rolls around.
Of course not.
Now, we also have to figure out how to protect our kids from their own backpacks.
Thanks to a new report published by the Center for Health, Environment and Justice, moms and dads the world over have to worry about toxic chemicals infecting their students via school supplies.
Hidden Hazards: Toxic Chemicals Inside Children’s Vinyl Back-to-School Supplies is full of frightening facts that every parent should know about. According to the report, 75 percent of children’s back-to-school supplies tested contained levels of phthalates that would be in violation of federal bans for toys, if the products were considered toys. For those of you who are not familiar with phthalates, the chemical is known to cause a number of health problems, including asthma and diabetes, especially in young children and individuals with compromised immune systems.
The report lists a number of toxic school supplies parents should keep away from their kids, including:
*Vinyl Dora the Explorer Backpack: It contains phthalate levels over 69 times the allowable federal limit for toys.
*Vinyl Amazing Spider Man Backpack: It contains phthalate levels more than 52 times the allowable federal limit for toys.
*Vinyl Disney Princess Lunchbox: It contains phthalate levels more than 29 times the allowable federal limit for toys.
*Vinyl Smart Fit Kids Pink Rainboots: They contained phthalates levels more than 20 times the allowable federal limit for toys.
*Vinyl Brown Polka Dot/Hot Chocolate Hard Binder: It contains phthalate levels more than 11 times the allowable federal limit for toys.
Food for thought as you set out on your back-to-school shopping adventure.
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