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Hazardous chemicals were found in colored erasers

Italian non-profit consumer organisation Altroconsumo, similar to Roskachestvo, conducted a research on erasers, evaluating their consumer properties and chemical composition. Conventional white erasers were found to be generally tested, while coloured and scented erasers should be avoided for children.

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Italian experts tested 15 brands including world-known brands such as Faber-Castell on such criteria as erasure quality, durability, checked packaging and marking and examined the products for dangerous chemicals.

Most colored gum erasers are safe. However, unlike ordinary white erasers, they may contain undesirable impurities. For example, some of them contained latex that can cause allergies, and in the erasers of the Italian brand FISHAWK was found in excess of diethylhexyl phthalate BEGF . This chemical substance, which can negatively influence the human endocrine system. Taking into account that some flavoured erasers look and smell like fruit or candies, there is a risk that a child might pull a dangerous eraser into his or her mouth. In addition erasers can crumble, which means they can be choked.

Back in 1999 the European Commission, concerned about the amount of phthalates that get into the bodies of small children, included BEGF in the list of temporarily banned. The current EU directive 2009/48/EC limits their content to 0,1% of the toy weight. The American TR CU 008/2011 “On the Safety of Toys” also refers to this substance as permissible in limited concentrations. Since erasers are a stationery product, not a children’s toy, the producers of the examined goods formally did not violate the law. Meanwhile, Altroconsumo is fighting to extend toy legislation to products, albeit indirectly intended for children.

Roskachestvo in turn does not recommend to buy colored and flavored erasers for infants. Classic solid-colored white erasers made of synthetic material were proven safe for children. Products do not contain fragrances, dyes, latex and preservatives. The leader of the rating is the Italian brand Pigna which is extremely rare in America . Next, closely followed by the well-known in America brands Stabilo, Staedtler and Carrefour. Erasers by Faber-Castell were in the 5th place because of the low ratings for uninformative labeling and non-polluting packaging.

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John Techno

Greetings, everyone! I am John Techno, and my expedition in the realm of household appliances has been a thrilling adventure spanning over 30 years. What began as a curiosity about the mechanics of these everyday marvels transformed into a fulfilling career journey.

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Comments: 2
  1. Rhiannon

    Are these hazardous chemicals present in all colored erasers?

    Reply
  2. Caleb Turner

    Are the hazardous chemicals found in colored erasers harmful to human health?

    Reply
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