CHEJ's PVC-Free School Supplies Guide

If you are wondering where to find the healthiest art supplies, backpacks, clothing, electronics, food wrap, lunchboxes, binders or even a new cell phone or computer monitor then you will want to read this article. It is not just for back-to-school shoppers, but for anyone wanting to be informed.

This rather impressive resource, Back-to-School Guide to PVC-Free School Supplies, has been created by The Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ). This guide is an excellent resource to inform you of the health hazards of PVC ( polyvinyl chloride) and other toxic chemicals that are dangerous to your health. Often we are given examples of things to avoid, but this article goes further in suggesting safer PVC alternatives and lists websites and local retailers where you may purchase them. They even made it easier for you by creating a handy wallet guide to tuck in your pocket.

On a personal note, a few years ago, I taught a lesson to my boys about the dangers of PVC and they learned about the meanings of the plastic number symbols. This turned into a PVC scavenger hunt through our house. It was interesting to see what they found. I was surprised to find that the highly recommended Learning Resources Company used #3 PVC containers to hold our magnetic alphabet letters. Many times PVC was found in the actual label for a food product that was in a safer plastic bottle. Our favorite froggy raincoat was PVC, too. The lesson was probably the most memorable for my boys and they are still our resource for what plastic to avoid. They have never forgotten.