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By
Catherine Pruissen
When
a parent or child care provider purchases art and
craft supplies for their children's use, they assume
these products are safe. But that is not always
the case.
Many
products labeled as 'non-toxic' are misleading because
they refer to the immediacy of the poisoning if ingested,
inhaled, or absorbed by the skin, but do not reflect
any danger in long term use of the product.
The
Canadian Child Day Care Federation, in their Resource
Sheet
# 21, Safety in the Arts, recommends parents
and providers use, "materials that bear the CP
Certified Product Seal and/or the AP Approved Product
Seal of the (American) Art and Craft Materials Institute."
They also suggest that parents and providers contact
manufacturers to find out what substances are use
in its products
if these are not clearly marked on its packaging.
Following
are a few items listed on the CCDCF resource sheet
which should be avoided, and which products to use
in their place:
- Avoid
- powder clay which is easily inhaled and may contain
toxic substances like silica or asbestos. Do not
sand this product around children. Use
- talc-free, premixed clay, making sure to wet mop
surfaces after use.
- Avoid
- instant paper mache, which may again contain toxic
substances which are easily inhaled. Use
- paper mache made from black and white newspaper
and library or white paste.
- Avoid
- powdered tempera paints which may contain toxic
pigments dangerous when inhaled. Use
- liquid tempera paints or paints that are premixed
by an adult.
- Avoid
- Permanent felt tipped markers which may contain
toxic solvents. Use - water-based markers
only.
- Avoid
- instant glue model glue or other solvent based
adhesives like epoxy. Use - water-based white
glue or library paste.
Parent
providers alike should have the number for the poison
control center clearly marked by their telephone and
should keep the product labeled of any poisonous substances
close by for quick referral in an emergency
.
For
information parents and providers can contact the
Canadian
Day Care Federation at
120 Holland Avenue, Suite 401,
Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 0X6.
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