Hidden dangers in pencils: A call for vigilance to protect children’s health

Colorful fancy pencils, a staple in every child’s school bag, may be hiding a silent threat. Recent revelations have raised concerns about the safety of low-quality pencils and stationery, which may contain harmful chemicals and heavy metals, posing serious health risks to children. Experts and activists are now urging parents, educators, and authorities to take immediate action to safeguard children from these hidden dangers.

Dr. Mahinda Wickramarachchi, Head of the Quality Control Unit at Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH), highlighted the risks associated with substandard pencils. “Imported pencils and coloring pencils, especially those without any without any proper information about the brand and manufacturer, often fail to meet international safety standards. These products may contain heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic, which can enter a child’s body through chewing or prolonged use,” he warned.

The European Committee of Standardization (CEN) has introduced the EN 71 standard to ensure the safety of children’s products, including pencils and stationery. This standard mandates rigorous testing to detect harmful substances. For instance, pencils are immersed in a stomach acid-like solution for two hours to check for the release of toxic chemicals. However, Dr. Wickramarachchi noted that most of the pencils in the Sri Lankan market do not comply with these standards.

A school teacher, who wished to remain anonymous due to administrative regulations, shared her concerns. “Children often chew on pencils or put them in their mouths. If these pencils contain harmful substances, it could lead to serious health issues like allergies, infections, or even long-term illnesses such as kidney problems and cognitive impairments,” she said.

Ranjith Vithanage, Chairman of the National Movement for Consumer Rights Protection, echoed these concerns. “The market is flooded with low-quality imported pencils and stationery, particularly from countries like China. These products are sold at high profits but pose significant risks to children’s health,” he said. Vithanage criticized the lack of regulatory oversight, stating that the authorities have failed to introduce adequate standards for school equipment.

Joseph Stalin, Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU), emphasized the need for immediate action. “The authorities has a responsibility to ensure the safety of these products. We plan to investigate this issue and take legal action against those responsible for importing and selling substandard school items,” he said.

Despite these warnings, the market continues to be dominated by cheap, low-quality products. Vithanage urged parents to be vigilant. “When schools issue book lists, parents must pay attention to the quality of the items they purchase. Saving a few rupees now could cost your child’s health in the long run,” he said.

The call for action is clear. Parents, teachers, and authorities must work together to ensure that children are not exposed to harmful substances. By prioritizing safety standards and demanding better regulation, we can protect our children from the hidden dangers lurking in their school supplies.

As the anonymous teacher aptly put it, “Every pencil in a child’s hand should be a tool for learning, not a threat to their health.” Let’s ensure that our children’s creativity and education are nurtured in a safe and healthy environment.