August 29, 2016.
The latest issue of UFC Que Chooser magazine throws a stone in the pond. According to the consumer association, some school supplies contain potentially toxic products.
Pens with ink containing carcinogens
The announcement is not thrown into the air, since the association has carried out tests on dozens of products sold in supermarkets or in stationery. Gold, in a third of the products tested, the independent laboratory in charge of the analyzes found dangerous substances.
In certain paper or colored pencils, the analyzes thus detected the presence of endocrine disruptors. Pen inks contain additives that are potentially carcinogenic, so much so that a distributor had the words “may cause cancer” added to its branded packaging for ballpoint pens.
The UFC investigation actually reveals that school supplies, unlike toys, do not obey any specific regulations, even as children nibble on pens, play with the glue between their fingers, breathe in the vapors that escape from it.
School supplies: branded products and good student distributors
The magazine article, however, identified some “good students”. Colored pencils can contain hazardous materials as well as be completely free. And it’s not just a question of branding. Private label colored pencils are on a par with those from one of the premium brands of pencils.
Read also: Pesticide substances in our children’s hair
