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.

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!)

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

Green Guide

The latest issue of the National Geographic Green Guide magazine arrived on newwstands and in subscriber mailboxes over the last week. The cover story is "Safe School Supplies" as most kids head back to school.

We are very proud to say that our AusPen whiteboard markers have been included in the article by National Geographic. Not only did they use a good size image of our eco-friendly markers, but they put us number one on their list of "Guide To Greener Schools" with six other products.

It was good to see refillable, recyclable dry erase markers and whiteboard markers make this esteemed list. The big key for them was we have non-toxic markers.

You can pick up the magazine at leading retailers everywhere, or at their website at http://www.thegreenguide.com/

It's Back To School

For some regions, it's back to school, or at least teachers are getting ready for the kids to start arriving. Other areas still have a few weeks before the doors fly open to another school year.

When you're getting ready to outfit the classroom with supplies, please try and think green with what you purchase, but also with how you go about your day-to-day activities once school has started. Recycle, reuse, reduce are the keys.

Whiteboard markers are one part of the equation when it comes to making positive changes in making classrooms and schools greener (refillable, recyclable, non-toxic products in any area are great to be looking out for).

For those who are back at school, have a great year, for those with a few weeks of vacation left, enjoy it.