Medipol Health Group Pediatrics Specialist Dr. Lecturer. Prof. Dr. Mine Başıbüyük gave important warnings to families shopping for stationery about what to pay attention to in order to protect children's health.
With the opening of schools just days away, families have started to procure the necessary stationery for their children. However, there are important health risks to be considered during this shopping process. Medipol Health Group Pediatrics Specialist Dr. Lecturer. Prof. Dr. Mine Başıbüyük listed the points to be considered when choosing stationery products.
“Avoid harmful substances”
Stating that harmful substances such as phthalates, benzene and lead in stationery materials can have serious negative effects on children's health, Pediatrician Dr. Lecturer. Prof. Dr. Mine Başıbüyük said, “These toxic substances can cause hormonal disorders, carcinogenic effects and serious problems in the nervous system. Especially in pencils, crayons, adhesives, erasers and coated products, choosing products with CE marking or EN71 safety standards reduces the risks. Again, plastic products such as sippy cups and pencil cases should be free of chemicals such as phthalates and BisphenolA (BPA), as these substances can cause hormone disorders and other health problems.”
Allergic reactions and skin health
Stating that some stationery materials may contain substances that may cause allergic reactions such as perfume and colored dyes, Dr. Başıbüyük said, “Hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested products should be preferred to protect children's skin health.”
Age-appropriateness and ergonomic design are important
Stating that age-appropriateness should be considered when choosing stationery products for young children, Dr. Başıbüyük said, “Stationery materials containing small parts may pose a choking hazard for young children. Therefore, products suitable for the age group should be preferred. Attention should be paid to the age group recommendations on the product packaging. Ergonomic products such as backpacks, pencil cases and desks that children will use are of great importance, especially in terms of spinal health. The weight of the backpack should not be more than 10 percent of the child's weight and it should fit snugly on the child's back. Heavy bags, incorrectly carried backpacks or non-ergonomic working environments can lead to posture disorders in children and spinal and skeletal system problems in the long term.”
Ease of use provides benefits in long-term use
Stating that products should be easy to use especially for hand and wrist health, Dr. Başıbüyük said, “The ergonomic design of stationery materials is important for hand and wrist health, especially in long-term use. Features such as the thickness of pencils, the softness of erasers and the easy portability of other materials are among the points to be considered.”
“Prefer environmentally friendly products”
Emphasizing that stationery products made from recyclable or biodegradable materials should be preferred in order to raise environmental awareness in children, Dr. Başıbüyük said, “In order to raise environmental awareness in children, stationery products made from recyclable or biodegradable materials can be preferred. FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified products can be preferred for paper products. It should also be kept in mind that these materials generally contain fewer chemicals and are less harmful to children's health.”
Stating that families can choose safer and healthier stationery for their children by considering these important health tips, Dr. Başıbüyük wished all students a healthy and successful academic year.
İHA Haber Kodu: 20240902AW278921