Is xylene harmful?

Are you wondering what is in your whiteboard markers that gives that pungent smell? Are you wondering why you or those in the room with you feel unwell when there has been lots of writing on the whiteboard? Headaches, breathing difficulties, and brain fog are a few of the common symptoms associated with the use of regular whiteboard markers, even the ones labeled 'Conforms to AP Non-Toxic'. A common ingredient in many whiteboard markers is the solvent, xylene. Breathing in the vapors of xylene, even trace amounts, can leave many people feeling unwell.


Here's a look at the properties and health risks associated with the chemical xylene:
What is xylene?

• Xylene is primarily a synthetic chemical produced from petroleum and coal tar.
• Xylene is one of the top 30 chemicals produced in the United States in terms of volume.
• It is used as a solvent in the printing, rubber, and leather industries.
• You may come in contact with xylene from including cigarette smoke, gasoline, paint, varnish, shellac, rust preventives, and markers. Breathing vapors from these types of products can expose you to xylene.
• Xylene is rapidly absorbed by your lungs after you breathe air containing it, and then passes into the blood soon after entering the body.
• Indoor levels of xylene can be higher than outdoor levels, especially in buildings with poor ventilation.
• Xylene stays in the air for several days until it is broken down by sunlight into other less harmful chemicals.

Exposure to xylene:

• Short-term exposure of people to high levels of xylene can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat; difficulty in breathing; impaired function of the lungs; delayed response to a visual stimulus; impaired memory; stomach discomfort; and possible changes in the liver and kidneys.
• Both short- and long-term exposure to high concentrations of xylene can also cause a number of effects on the nervous system, such as headaches, lack of muscle coordination, dizziness, confusion, and changes in one's sense of balance.
• Long-term exposure of animals to low concentrations of xylene has not been well studied.
• Both the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and EPA have found that there is insufficient information to determine whether or not xylene is carcinogenic.
• Exposure of pregnant women to high levels of xylene may cause harmful effects to the fetus.
• The higher the exposure and the longer the exposure to xylene, the greater the chance of harmful health effects. Lower concentrations of xylene are not as harmful.

EcoSmart Products is proud to offer a certified non-toxic alternative to regular whiteboard markers. AusPen Eco-Friendly Markers contain no xylene, and have virtually no odor. Made of a de-natured alcohol, AusPen markers are helping whiteboard users finally clear the air.

Information for this article was obtained from this fact sheet from eco-usa.net.

It's a simple act of green

Q: Non toxic markers. Is there such a thing, and does it really matter anyway? A: Yes, there truly are non-toxic markers that do not use harmful solvents in the ink. Xylene and toluene are two common ingredients in dry-erase markers - it's what gives the strong, pungent odor. These are neurotoxins that can cause troubling symptoms such as headaches, asthma, brain fog and fatigue. A non-toxic marker is not made with any neurotoxins, nor does it have a strong odor. AusPen markers are certified non-toxic, and are quickly becoming the marker of choice among teachers and other dry-erase marker users. Even people with chemical sensitivities are able to use AusPen markers without their usual reactions to dry-erase markers. Here's what one parent had to say about using AusPen non-toxic dry-erase markers:

“When our daughter was unable to stay in her Grade 7 classroom because smelly white board markers gave her horrible “brain fog”, the school secretary ordered AusPens. Happily, Katie has never left a classroom again because of brain fog thanks to AusPens. She now has her own AusPens for those who don’t know there is a healthy alternative to the toxic, smelly other white board markers.” (Judy Wigmore, parent)

Saving money with refillable whiteboard markers

Thousands of educators, office workers and organizations that use whiteboard markers are saving money with refillable markers.

When customers contact EcoSmart Products to re-order dry-erase ink or new nibs for their refillable whiteboard markers, many of them say they have been using the same markers for years. When I asked a teacher recently if she was a new customer, she laughed and said she's been using the same markers for 3 years. Her order? A few bottles of refill ink ($7.95 each) and a pack of new tips for her markers ($12.50 for 10 double-tipped nibs). When we finished the order and said goodbye, I think she really meant it!

While AusPen markers are comparable in cost to regular disposable markers (Expo brand, etc), a purchase of these refillable markers means no more marker purchase. The cost of refilling the markers is significantly less expensive than constantly purchasing new markers. The AusPen marker and bottle of refill ink system costs approximately 29 cents per marker - saving about 75% off the price of regular disposable markers.

Imagine spending 75% less on your market budget at your workplace? Refillable markers make good money sense. No longer just an innovative product for those going green, refillable whiteboard markers help you keep your green!

To find out more about refillable whiteboard markers, and to place an order, visit http://www.ecosmartworld.com

A Case for Eco-Friendly Dry-Erase Markers

The way we see it at EcoSmart Products, there are at least 3 major problems with regular dry-erase markers.

First, the moment a marker is uncapped, noxious smells and harmful toxins are released. Xylene? Toluene? Why are we using neurotoxins in our office supplies? (Headaches and brain fog, anyone?)

Second, the amount of waste associated with discarded single-use dry-erase markers is astounding. Since these markers are not recyclable, they are sent to their local landfill where they will stay for a very looong time.

Finally, the markers are always running out, which leads us to our third pain point: the expense.

Now here’s a look at AusPen eco-friendly markers. They are made of 100% post-consumer recycled materials, the ink is certified non-toxic, and they are refillable. When a marker starts to fade, a few drops of ink can be added into the marker barrel and it’s as good as new. By refilling your markers, AusPens are approximately 75% less expensive than disposable markers.
Fill your pen, not your landfill
Find out more about why thousands of people who use dry-erase markers have switched to AusPen eco-friendly markers: http://www.ecosmartworld.com

Dry-erase markers that protect your health

I used to love when the teacher picked me to stay in at recess to slap the chalkboard brushes together to clean them. To my delight, billows of chalk would fill the air.

But now environmental and health concerns over chalk (it's resource-intensive and can cause allergies and breathing problems), not to mention the mess, have led to the cleaner, healthier whiteboard and dry-erase markers.

But are dry-erase markers healthier? More environmental?

Some of the more toxic dry-erase markers contain the chemicals xylene or toluene. These chemicals are classified neurotoxins, as they affect brain functioning. They can cause headaches, dizziness, irritation of the nose or throat, lack of coordination, 'brain fog' and breathing difficulties.

In response to the outcry over harmful chemicals in dry-erase markers, many marker companies have developed markers labelled, 'AP Non-Toxic'.

Why is it then, that at EcoSmart Products we receive calls on a daily basis from people complaining about these 'non-toxic' markers? People are still experiencing headaches, skin reactions, brain fog and even temper tantrums, not to mention the turnoff of the nasty smell. (Sound familiar?)

Then there's also the environmental blight of the 500 million dry-erase markers thrown out annually by teachers in North America. These markers are rarely made of recycled plastic, nor are they ever biodegradable.

That's why an educator in Australia developed AusPen eco-friendly markers - dry-erase markers that are made of 90% post-consumer recycled materials, whose ink is truly non-toxic and that can be refilled. Over and over again. No landfills required.

Thinking about it, I miss the fun of slapping the chalk erasers hard enough to get a white dusting of chalk in my hair and eyebrows. It was a much more fun way of experiencing gray hair.

Non-Toxic Markers and Whiteboard Paint

A great idea from this mom who painted a whiteboard wall and stocked her son with AusPen non-toxic, refillable markers. What better way to keep toxins out of the home and discarded markers and whiteboards out of the landfill.

Refillable Markers Save Money

Is it just me, or does everyone else feel as though they are pouring money down the drain? Every toy in my house is always out of batteries. Every electronic device in my house has just become obsolete. Every child has just outgrown his pants. You can relate, can't you?

I know I can't stop buying things, so one of my New Year's resolutions this year is to choose things that I can re-use, re-charge, refill in a larger proportion to the things I replace.

Reusing items such as shopping bags, food and drink containers and wrapping fabric, and refilling items such as dry-erase markers and ink cartridges simply saves money.

I have learned this lesson from my experience with AusPen refillable markers . It's a great example of a truly green alternative. AusPen markers are made of recycled materials, they use certified non-toxic ink, and they cost approximately 70% less than regular throw-away markers. The AusPen motto, Penfill Not Landfill says it all to me.

2011, give me your best. I'll give you mine.

It’s indoor time – time to clear the air.

We spend an average of 90% of our time indoors, and 65% of our time inside our homes, according to the National Safety Council, which means that our indoor air quality is crucial to our well-being. Our modern, airtight homes do a good job of preventing energy loss, but they are also doing a good job of trapping pollutants within our homes – in fact, our indoor air can be up to 10 times worse for us than outdoor air.

Here are EcoSmart’s top 5 easy ways to improve indoor air – whether at home, at the office or in school –just in time for the winter shut-in!

1. Use non-toxic cleaning and office supplies. AusPen non-toxic markers save you from breathing xylene and other harmful chemicals.
2. Believe it or not, let plants purify your air! The best indoor plants that remove trace chemicals are: peace lily, bamboo palm, English ivy, mums, and gerbera daisies.
3. Clean drapes, carpets and absorbent fabrics in furniture that trap dust mites and other allergens.
4. When decorating or remodelling, choose materials that have low or no VOCs. Flooring, paint, and blinds all have eco-friendly alternatives.
5. Get a professional air duct cleaning to remove all the dust from the furnace and vents. (Bonus: get fresh air as you run through the neighborhood chasing the indoor cat who escaped during the air duct cleaning!)

Green Schools: Practicing the 3Rs

Check out this video from the Lazy Envionmentalist in which a teacher showcases his new class set of AusPen non-toxic, refillable markers.

How to go Green at School or Work

Tips for a more sustainable school or workplace
From AusPen Eco-Friendly Markers

Whether at school or in the office, activities to tread lighter on the earth can be fun and bring everyone together, even if there is no extra budget for going green! Try this tip for some collective and competitive fun:


Divide yourselves into Eco-Tribes for earth, air, water and fire.

The Earth Tribe can take care of initiatives to recycle, compost and reduce solid waste that is normally generated.

The Air Tribe can source out non-toxic supplies that will help clean the air of toxins and allow people with chemical sensitivities or allergies to breathe better.

The Water Tribe can look for ways to reduce water consumption, collect rainwater for gardens, or eliminate the use of wasteful water bottles.

The Fire Tribe can focus on ways to reduce energy consumption by getting power-saving bulbs, power cords that can be switched off, and creating an awareness around turning off lights and monitors.

Just imagine all that can be done: challenges, awards, posters, tribe names, and milestone celebrations. Going green just got fun.


Learn more about how AusPen Eco-Friendly Markers can reduce your exposure to toxins and drastically cut down on your solid waste at school or in the office, while saving money. Visit http://www.ecosmartworld.com

Going Green with Refillable Markers

Are your school or office supplies unnecessarily contributing to solid waste? Are you tired of constantly throwing out dried up plastic markers?

AusPen eco-friendly dry-erase markers are a unique solution. Not only are AusPen markers non-toxic, but they are also refillable. Markers running low on ink can be topped up and used again and again – no trash can, no waste. And at the end of the AusPen’s long life, the marker goes in the recycling bin since it is made of 100% recycled aluminum. The cost savings amount to approximately 70% the cost of disposable markers. AusPen’s health, environmental and cost benefits add up to a triple threat.

The value of refillable markers – not what you’d think

Whenever something that belongs to my kids doesn’t work, there’s a moment of hesitation, and then, fling! Away it goes. So much in their world is disposable, replaceable and broken. So many of their things hold no real value.

That’s why the concept of the AusPen refillable whiteboard (dry-erase) marker may take a moment to wrap our minds around. Add drops of ink to the marker and keep on using it? When eventually the nib frays, turn it around and use the other end? After countless refills, when the aluminum marker has had its day, throw it in the recycling bin instead of the garbage? Well, it must cost a fortune.

The irony is that goods that are designed to have a short user-lifespan, such as regular whiteboard markers, cost considerably more, 70% more in the case of regular whiteboard markers compared to the AusPen.

Consider the message to children in a class where a teacher can hold up the AusPen kit – 6 markers with their refill inks – and say, “Because of this kit I am not going to throw away 246 toxic, non-biodegradable markers into our local landfill.” Imagine the children’s thoughts. Imagine the impact on their actions. Imagine the value in that.

Princeton Review Releases "2010 Green Rating Honor Roll"

The Princeton Review has released its second annual "Green Rating" of colleges, a measure of how environmentally friendly the institutions are on a scale of 60 to 99.

The company tallied its Green Ratings for 697 institutions based on data it collected from the colleges in 2008-09 concerning their environmentally related policies, practices, and academic offerings. The ratings are reported in some college profiles on the Princeton Review website and in its college guides.

The Princeton Review also named 15 colleges to its "2010 Green Rating Honor Roll," a list that salutes the institutions that received the highest possible score – 99 – in this year's rating tallies.

Institutions listed on the Honor Roll include: Arizona State University, Bates College (ME), Binghamton University (NY), College of the Atlantic (ME), Colorado College, Dickinson College (PA), Evergreen State College (WA), Georgia Institute of Technology, Harvard College (MA), Middlebury College (VT), Northeastern University (MA), University of California, Berkeley, University of New Hampshire, University of Washington, and Yale University (CT).

"Green My School"

CBS and EcoZone Media teamed up to put on a great project for schools in three areas across the country. It's called the "Green My School" contest and the winners have started to be announced...in San Francisco, the Chicago area and Miami.

The winning schools receive "green" makeovers, amounting to over $100,000 in green school supplies, green products and green services.

Refillable whiteboard markers are one of the components to the "Green My School" contest, as each winning school gets outfitted with AusPen markers. What does that mean? It means no more Expo markers being thrown in the trash bin and hauled off to the local landfill. It means reducing the toxicity in classrooms, making it a better environment for the students, but also for teachers, who have to stand inches away from markers with Xylene for large parts of the day.

And one of the great benefits as well, the schools will start to save literally thousands of dollars every year by using a recycled, refillable product...the AusPen markers cut whiteboard marker budgets by more than 70% when they get in the system.

It's a great contest and congratulations to all schools who sent in entries.

Life Cycle of a Whiteboard Marker

I came across a site that outlines the ecological impact of a product from start to finish. It looks at everything related to the making of the product through to when the product is disposed.

They did a life cycle flow diagram of a whiteboard marker from "cradle to grave".

It's pretty interesting, have a look:

http://www.howproductsimpact.net/lifecycle/lifecycleflow.htm

California Green Schools

We just got back from the California Green Schools Summit in Anaheim. It was a great event with smart people and companies focused on making California schools greener. We met people from all over the state and it was great to talk with so many educators that are current users of the AusPen dry erase markers.

It was the second conference in the last 30 days we attended in California - the first one was in San Francisco (Green Festival) and this one in southern California. The focus on green initiatives in the Golden State is impressive and inspiring.

The groups of people we spoke with make sustainability a part of their daily routines and they are constantly looking for ways to be greener, whether it is something as easy as changing over to a refillable dry erase marker, or non-toxic cleaners in the schools all the way to major projects like going completely solar, or Leeds-certified construction of new schools.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the AusPen booths, we appreciate it and look forward to speaking with you in the New Year to help you make your schools and companies greener.

Green Schools

We're committed to helping schools become as green as possible and that means delivering a whiteboard marker that is non-toxic, but also one that is made from recycled material and is refillable.

It is always great to be recognized by respected members of the school districts, as we have in the last couple of months on trips to California, Washington State and the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia.

As well, when respected media companies also highlight our AusPen markers it makes us feel very good about not only the markers, but the real impact it is having in the everyday lives of students, teachers and office workers - and of course local eco-systems.

Over the next couple of months it looks like several magazines and newspapers will be doing pieces on AusPen markers - we'll keep you posted.

By the way, here is a link to the Fall issue of National Geographic's Green Guide magazine article on the "Greenest School Supplies", which features AusPen whiteboard markers.
www.thegreenguide-magazine.com/thegreenguide/fall2008/?pg=68

Have a great weekend and Happy Thanksgiving

Teachers - Whiteboard Markers That Don't Stink

We were at an educational conference recently and one of the top complaints from teachers about their working conditions was the smell of the whiteboard markers (dry erase markers) that they have to use.

That smell causes many of them to feel lethargic and have headaches by the end of the day. Many said they often feel nauseous at points during the day due to inhaling the fumes from their whiteboard markers.

Breathing in these toxins all day long is not good for you - obviously. This is a heath hazard and shouldn't be allowed in the workplace.

Make a point of asking your school administrators to only use markers that don't contain Xylene. Xylene free markers are the eay to go for a healthier work environment.

ABC News Highlights Non Toxic Whiteboard Markers

ABC's Good Morning America recently put together a feature on safe school supplies and green school supplies as the kids head back to classrooms this fall. They particularly focused on non toxic school supplies, products with low VOCS (volatile organic compounds) which reduce exposure of harmful toxins for the students and the teachers.

As they stated, conventional whiteboard markers are one of the top sources of toxic waste for schools, as they contain Xylene. These markers go to the landfills by the truckload, filling landfills not only with non-biodegradable plastic containers, but these little toxic bombs will keep leaking Xylene into the soil (and in many cases, into the water table).

ABC News identified AusPen refillable markers as a safe, green alternative to the disposable dry erase markers, as they are made up from recycled material and they are non toxic.

Have a look at the ABC News feature on their website here