As parents and students begin preparing for the start of a new school year, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York is warning that some supplies contain dangerous levels of toxic chemicals like asbestos and lead.
The senator says he was alarmed by the results of an independent report by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group.
"Playskool crayons contained asbestos. Expo markers had positive samples of BTEX, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene, all harmful. Outdoor kids' water bottles were found to contain lead."
Schumer is calling on the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the federal agency responsible for investigating these issues, to take action.
“You must take immediate steps to protect New York students from potentially harmful chemicals in school supplies. And we need them in place before next year’s school year.”
He says the agency must quickly analyze the products and determine if they’re harmful. And if toxic chemicals are found, Schumer says the products should be recalled.
