2022-07-07 15:20:37
Inhaled, ingested or in contact with the skin, the chemical substances present in school or office supplies can, for some of them, cause health effects. This is particularly the case for children who tend to put objects in their mouth.
Phthalates, perfuming substances, formaldehyde, dyes, etc.: numerous chemical substances of concern identified
Several studies conducted by Ademe, the Danish EPA, 60 Millions de Consommateurs and UFC Que Choisir have highlighted the presence or emission of chemical substances in school or office supplies. As these products are used on a daily basis, particularly by children, the Agency has decided to carry out an inventory of current knowledge on the subject.
Based on the available scientific literature and discussions with consumer associations and professional federations of manufacturers and distributors, the Agency indicates that the families of chemical substances most often identified are:
phthalates; volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including formaldehyde, chloroform, toluene; nitrosamines; benzene; heavy metals such as hexavalent chromium, cadmium, nickel or lead; perfluorochemicals (PFAS), dyes; bisphenol A; isothiazolinones and other preservatives; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); perfuming substances.
Apply toy safety regulations to school supplies
Neither in France nor in Europe, school supplies are subject to specific regulations to regulate their composition, manufacturing or use to ensure their safety.
Given their use, certain school supplies such as paint, felt-tip pens or colored pencils are considered toys, which leads to the ban on their manufacture of carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic substances for reproduction (CMR). Also, the Agency calls for apply European regulations relating to toy safety to all school supplies (n°2009/48/EC). This regulatory development will promote the reduction, or even elimination, of the majority of substances currently identified in supplies, for example perfuming substances, phthalates, certain metals or PAHs.
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