Consumer Watchdog Warns Of Toxic Crayons And Paints

The Consumer Council warned on Monday that more than half of the children’s art supplies it tested leach toxic metal substances – which, when taken in excessive quantities, can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, or even chronic disease.

The watchdog tested 19 crayon and fingerpaint products, and found 10 released toxic metal substances while three either exceeded EU safety limits for levels of aluminium or will exceed soon-to-be updated limits.

It said one crayon leached aluminium at levels exceeding the current EU limits by almost five times, while two more products will exceed the limits once the standards are updated on May 20.

The release of zinc, which has a stronger toxicity, was also found for two crayons, though levels fell within EU safety standards.

Levels of harmful PAH chemicals in seven types of crayons also exceeded limits set by Germany, but they do not contain PAHs restricted by EU regulations.

The watchdog said the PAH substances found in the products may cause cancer, allergies, or are harzardous to the ecosystem or the aquatic environment.

Council chief executive Gilly Wong urged parents to carefully select safe art supplies for their children, and pay attention to how they are used.

"Many kids tend to taste this kind of crayon just for fun, or they just eat it,” she said.

“Sometimes they use their fingers and put it around their faces – be mindful about this,” Wong said, adding that parents should make their children wash after using art supplies.

She suggested that children be supervised when using art supplies, and for the products to be used in a well-ventilated area. And Wong suggested the use of some sort of protective “barrel” around the crayon, so children wouldn’t touch the crayon directly.

The watchdog also noted that over half of the fingerpaint products it tested failed to fulfil EU standards and did not contain an “embittering agent”, which gives the paint an unpleasant bitter taste, to discourage children from eating them.

Four fingerpaint sets also lacked required product information or warnings, prompting the watchdog to ask suppliers to include the information on the products’ labels.