PARENTS should be wary when buying plastic school supplies for their kids, an environmental group has found out that many of these materials available in the markets have poisonous substances that may be carcinogenic.
Environment group calling themselves EcoWaste said a study they initiated on marketed school supplies bare that many of them are laced with phthalates like di-ethyl hexyl (DEHP)
Phthalates, Ecowaste said, are toxic additives to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic products to give it softness, flexibility and durability.
Citing a study done by the University of Illinois Medical Center, Ecowaste said DEHP disrupts the function of the endocrine system, affecting normal growth and development among children.
The group then wants a national ban on children’s products laced with phthalates as the United States and the European Union have banned the use of phthalates in children’s toys and childcare articles. The US Environmental Protection Agency said DEHP is also a probable human carcinogen.
The study showed that products found to have high levels of DEHP were green long plastic envelope (19.881 percent), PVC plastic book cover (18.997 percent), PVC notebook cover (18.543 percent), PVC plastic lunch bag and PVC backpack (both with 17.120 percent DEHP). (PIA Bohol)
