There are many points that families should pay attention to in school shopping from pens to an eraser. Colorful, fragrant, plastic products can be carcinogenic and lead to allergies and endocrine problems. Prof. Dr. Filiz Bakar, Pediatrician at Yeditepe University Hospitals, warned families that oversized shoes and clothes adversely affect physical development and that wheeled bags should be used for spinal health.
There is very little time left for schools to open. Their families were also in a shopping rush. Attempts are made to complete the deficiencies according to the list of receivables ranging from pen to eraser, from bag to shoes. This list is even longer for students who will meet the school for the first time. However, there are many points that families should pay attention to in terms of health when shopping. So much so that colorful and fragrant products that attract children's attention can be carcinogenic due to the plastic, paint, and toxic, and nickel substances they contain, and cause allergies, eczema, and endocrine problems. Now, what should parents pay attention to when shopping for school? We directed the questions on this subject to Prof. Dr. Filiz Bakar, Yeditepe University, Department of Pediatrics. Here are the answers: 

What Are the Dangers in a School Bag? How Does It Affect Children's Health?

• "No fragrance." 

Both school bags and stationery are usually attractive and have vivid colors, some are fragrant products and attract the attention of children. While they attract children's attention, they can also contain some toxic substances.  

here are substances such as azo dyes used especially in coloring, phthalates that allow plastics to soften, take shape, and contain odor, and nickel, which allows the plastic to be harder, especially used in bags. All of this leads to problems in the short, medium, and long term. It can be carcinogenic, and allergenic, and can even cause eczema and endocrine problems. There are also physical risks. Children can smash the tip of the pencil with their mouths, or they can smash and swallow the eraser with their mouths. Highly pointed materials can cause injury. So, you need to keep an eye on these types of hazards and approach these products. 
 

What Should Parents Pay Attention to When Shopping for School? 

First of all, when you look at these substances, you can read statements such as they do not contain any harmful substances or toxic substances on all of them. But here, the most important point for families to pay attention to is whether they have been inspected to the appropriate standards. Because we do not know the product phase of these. Several mechanisms control this. 

How to Act When Buying Products such as School Bags, Shoes, and Jerseys so as Not to Negatively Affect the Physical Development of the Child 

• 'Wheeled bags may be preferred'

Children grow up fast, so shoes that are too big can be put into shape. It is necessary to buy these products in sizes suitable for the child. If the shoe is too large, it will physically affect the child's foot health. When buying a bag again, children can sometimes put too much stuff in the bag. Food bags, water flasks, books… Carrying them can adversely affect the child's spinal health. Wheeled bags may be preferred. 

How to Tell If Products are Harmful to Health? What Do the Warnings on the Labels Mean? 

• 'Look at the standard signs'

In particular, they need to pay attention to the CE, TSE, or EN71 marking. The CE certificate is a document stating that this product, in which European standards are used, does not contain heavy metals and is suitable for health and safety. EN71 also shows that the product is reliable. 

Parents want to shop economically, but if a product is too cheap, the chances are quite high that the product is fake and unsupervised. In addition, solvent-based pencils should not be taken. Water-based products should be preferred. Plastic materials should not be preferred, especially in flasks. Care must be taken that there is no volatile substance in the adhesives. 

What to Consider for Those Without a Label? 

If there is no indication that the label or product is safe, then they should not buy this product and complain so that the product is inspected. Also, if possible, I recommend that they do not prefer painted and fragrant products. 

Press Coverage:  milliyet