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YOUR EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS
ExPLORE
SUPPORT
DYE-FREE CLEANING
A few of the chemicals that show up most often in kids' school gear:
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is used to make binders, pencil cases, and backpacks shiny and flexible. PVC requires phthalates as softeners, and these chemicals are linked to hormone disruption, asthma, and developmental concerns. Lead is also commonly used in PVC manufacturing, which is why vinyl school supplies have tested positive for lead.
Phthalates also show up in scented products like markers, erasers, and pencil toppers. That artificial grape or strawberry smell is a red flag, not a feature. These chemicals can interfere with hormonal development, and kids are especially vulnerable because they're still growing.
PFAS, sometimes called "forever chemicals," are used in water-resistant backpacks and lunch bags. They don't break down in the environment or in the body, and they've been linked to immune system effects and other health concerns.
BPA and BPS show up in hard plastic water bottles and food containers. Both are endocrine disruptors, and BPS (the common BPA replacement) isn't necessarily safer.
Skip: Vinyl or PVC backpacks, anything labeled "water-resistant" without specifying how (likely PFAS-treated).
Choose: Cotton, canvas, nylon, or untreated polyester. If you need water resistance, look for bags that use a PFC-free coating.
Skip: Shiny vinyl three-ring binders, one of the most common sources of phthalates in school supplies.
Choose: Paperboard or polypropylene binders. Many brands now label their binders as PVC-free on the packaging.
Skip: Vinyl-coated lunch bags and plastic water bottles with painted designs.
Choose: Stainless steel or BPA-free water bottles and fabric or stainless steel lunchboxes. Give both a regular wash with a plant-based dish soap to keep them clean between uses.
Skip: Soft, flexible vinyl cases (the shiny, squishy kind). These are typically PVC.
Choose: Cotton or canvas pouches, or hard-sided cases made from polypropylene.
Skip: Scented markers, imported crayons without safety certifications, and dry-erase markers for young children (these contain solvents).
Choose: Look for the AP (Approved Product) seal, which means the product has been evaluated by a toxicologist and certified non-toxic. Crayola and other major brands carry the AP seal on most of their kids' lines.
The word "non-toxic" on packaging doesn't always mean what you'd expect. In many cases, it simply means the product won't cause acute harm if swallowed or touched once, not that it's free from long-term chemical exposure concerns. Check for specific certifications like the AP seal or MADE SAFE, and look at the materials list rather than relying on front-of-package claims.
