Parents urged to check school supplies for hazardous chemicals

Nicosia, Cyprus. Parents have been urged to take care when buying school supplies after the labour inspection department warned that some products may contain potentially dangerous chemicals. The department said non-compliant products should not be available on the market.

Potentially hazardous substances

In an announcement on Thursday, the department said plastic products may contain phthalates, which are considered highly toxic to reproduction, and cadmium, which is classified as carcinogenic.

Leather clothing and footwear may contain hexavalent chromium or dimethyl fumarate (DMF), substances that can cause sensitisation and allergic reactions.

Products including superglue, markers, correction fluids, coloured inks and paints may contain organic solvents such as benzene, chloroform and toluene, which can be highly toxic or carcinogenic to humans.

Labelling requirements

Some school supplies may themselves be classified as hazardous, including as flammable, irritant or harmful, and must carry the required hazard labelling in Greek.

Previously identified products

The department referred to several non-compliant products previously identified in Cyprus or elsewhere in the European Union and registered on the European Commission’s Safety Gate system.

Examples included Chinese-made children’s markers and coloured pencils found to contain benzene and phthalates, as well as pencils in which lead was detected. The department said lead is particularly dangerous and can cause neurotoxicity.

Chinese-made pencil cases have also been found to contain the phthalates DEHP and DBP, while some superglues contained chloroform. Nickel has also been detected in some metal pens and mechanical pencils.