Survey of Chemical Substances in Consumer Products, No. 84 2007 – Survey as well as health assessment of chemical substances in school bags, toy bags, pencil cases and erasers

Survey as well as health assessment of chemical substances in school bags, toy bags, pencil cases and erasers

Introduction

The project Survey as well as health assessment of chemical substances in school bags, toy bags, pencil cases and erasers is a part of the total effort of the Danish Environment Protection Agency in connection with mapping of chemical substances in consumer products. The project is divided into three phases.

Phase 1: A market survey of school bags, toy bags, pencil cases and erasers, including a survey of which types being on the market and a survey of which chemical substances being applied in such products found in literature, data sheets and trade contacts. Phase 1 is carried out by FORCE Technology, Department for Plastics and Composites by M.Sc. Nanna Svendsen in the period May – July 2006.

Phase 2: Qualitative and quantitative analyses of constituents as well as analysis of which volatile compounds that can be emitted to the air when handling the products. Furthermore, screening for organic parameters through migration to artificial sweat and artificial saliva. Phase 2 is carried out by FORCE Technology, Department for Chemical Analysis by Ph. D. Erik Bjarnov in the period July – November 2006. In addition, analysis of perfluorinated compounds is carried out. The analyses are performed by Denmark’s National Environmental Research Institute (DMU) by senior researcher Rossana Bossi in the period September – November 2006. Quality responsible is M.Sc.Ole Bundgaard.

Phase 3: Health assessment of relevant chemical substances in school bags, toy bags, pencil cases and erasers. Focus is on the substances being assessed to be a possible risk for the consumers’ health – in this case – primary the children’s health. In addition to this, preparation of exposure scenarios for selected substances is carried out. Phase 3 is carried out by FORCE Technology, Department for Sustainability Management by M.Sc. Pia Brunn Poulsen in November 2006. Quality responsible is senior project manager Anders Christian Schmidt.