TORONTO, Aug. 28, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- It's that time of year again, back to school. Parents and their kids will be facing the excitement and anticipation of a new school year with new class assignments, new school clothes or uniforms, and supplies.
Many of the products found in backpacks and classrooms this September are made of vinyl. These products have been designed to be durable, economical, safe, and stylish, all important factors parents of school-aged children consider when buying supplies that need to last for an entire school year.
Durability
A child's backpack may see the most wear-and-tear of the school year (next to his or her shoes). Luckily, both are made from vinyl and can withstand the rigours of an entire school year and your child. Vinyl products are proven to be durable over time, which means more cost savings to parents. The durability of these products results from the stability of the vinyl molecule, allowing products to resist decomposition, withstand environmental exposure, and the shellacking young children often put them through. It is because of this durability that so many vinyl products are used throughout the classroom. Whether it be binders, lunchboxes, desks, flooring, wallcovering, or a host of other applications, schools often choose vinyl materials to meet the demands of these high traffic areas. Vinyl can even be found in your child's computer or TV and in fiber optics and wiring in the walls.
Safety
Parents may have heard some misconceptions around the safety of vinyl products but make no mistake; these products have been proven safe for decades and tested by government regulatory agencies and international research groups. Not only can vinyl be used in your child's backpack, it is also used in wiring and able to meet stringent requirements from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Plasticizers and other vinyl additives allow school supplies to be durable, flexible, efficient, and meet the demands of the classroom but parents may have some misconceptions surrounding their use. Because of vinyl's physical nature, additives are tightly held in the fabricated product, limiting potential for human contact or release. In some cases these compounds are chemically bound with the vinyl molecule more tightly than found in nature. Although consumer and health agencies have not found harm from exposure to them, some groups continue to perpetuate a cause for concern. Years of research and accumulated scientific data from government and independent review bodies suggest that phthalates do not pose a threat to human health or well-being. However, parents still have the option of purchasing vinyl school supplies with alternative plasticizers and organically derived additives.
Cleanliness
Since children aren't typically the cleanest demographic amongst us, vinyl school supplies are designed to repel dirt and grime. By nature, most vinyl materials are nonporous, preventing scuffs and marks, resisting the buildup of grime, and reducing the surface area on which pathogens can adhere. These products are easily cleaned with simple soap and water and are probably found throughout the classroom, from seat cushions and floor mats to water fountains. It's no wonder schools and hospitals use so many vinyl materials in their interior designs. The next time your child drags his backpack across the bathroom floor or forgets to clean out his vinyl lunchbox over the weekend, just remember it can always be cleaned.
As the school year begins, parents can be certain that vinyl school supplies are designed with safety and durability in mind to carry your child all the way through the school year and beyond.
Today's intelligent plastics are vital to the modern world. These materials enhance our lifestyles, our economy and the environment. For more information visit www.intelligentplastics.ca .
Darlene Gray Canadian Plastics Industry Association 905.678.7748 ext. 239
