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Children’s School Supplies May Have Toxic Phthalates Levels

back packsSedona AZ (July 17, 2016) – The following is a letter to the SedonaEye.com editor:

The National Toxic Encephalopathy Foundation (NTEF) is a Nevada based, non-profit, 501-c-3 medical foundation, whose core purposes are to prevent health issues related to environmental exposures.

The NTEF is desirous to expand its Safer and Healthier School Initiative by addressing the harm associated with toxic school backpacks. It is seeking to purchase at least 300 safe backpacks for children K-2 in Las Vegas, who are either low income, homeless, or live in a shelter.

This is the first of its kind program in Nevada, just as the NTEF prior initiative Safer and Healthier School Lunch Program was back in 2014.

The study, Hidden Hazards: Toxic Chemicals Inside Children’s Vinyl Back-to-School Supplies, found that 75% of children’s school supplies contain highly toxic phthalates at unacceptable levels.

“Phthalates are a class of chemical used to soften vinyl plastic that are hazardous at even low levels of exposure. Phthalates have been linked to birth defects, early puberty, infertility, asthma, ADHD, obesity, and diabetes. They found Disney’s Dora the Explorer Backpack contained phthalate levels over 69 times higher than the allowable federal limit for toys. The Amazing Spiderman Lunchbox contained 27 times the federal limit, while the Disney Princess Lunchbox exceeded the toy limit by 29 times. Children’s rain coats, rain boots and 3-ring binders also were found to contain the toxins,” offered NTEF on a CBS News segment.

back packs 2Vinyl backpacks could also contain high levels of lead, which can wipe off onto children’s hands and ultimately end up in the child’s mouth.

Backpacks, for example, can be made out of polyester and tested to be PVC free, phthalate free and lead free.

Lightweight backpacks, only 1.3 pounds, help alleviate back pressure points and are breathable with padded back panel for extra comfort, offering even distribution of shoulder weight with contoured air mesh straps. This type of backpack will conform to the recommendations for children’s backpacks from the American Occupational Therapy Association, “…the bottom of the pack should rest in the curve of the lower back. It should never rest more than four inches below the child’s waistline.”

Parents should look for features such as multiple pockets, reflective accents (low light safety/visibility), reinforced base/corners, velcro side pockets, water bottle mesh side pocket (adjustable), identification card holder, water resistant and padded interior pocket (protects electronics). There are three styles for boys, four styles for girls, and two unisex solid colors, as illustrated on the cover page.

A well-designed backpack will last the child through middle school with minimal care. Each backpack including Nevada sales tax, is $43.25. We are requesting your support for two (2) of the backpacks, for a total of $86.50, or more if you will.

We want to place the order on July 25, 2016, in order to receive the backpacks by the beginning of August for student distribution.

All donations are fully tax-deductible, under IRS 501c3 guidelines, and our Federal ID Number is 30-0306553.

Donations can be made at NTEF-USA.Org via the donate link to Paypal or a check made payable and mailed to the NTEF, Post Office Box 29194, Las Vegas, NV 89126.

Thank you for your anticipated support of this necessary student health project.

Respectfully requested,

NATIONAL TOXIC ENCEPHALOPATHY FOUNDATION
/s/ Angel De Fazio, BSAT President

Nancy Baer, Sedona AZ Supporter and
Co-Founder Sedona Smart Meter Awareness

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