Understanding the Hidden Dangers in Schools

Many parents assume schools are safe, but environmental toxins in schools can impact children’s health, focus, and development. From poor indoor air quality to toxic school supplies, children may be exposed to harmful substances every day. Environmental toxins in schools are a growing concern, and understanding their effects is the first step to reducing exposure.

Indoor Air Quality: What’s Your Child Breathing In?

Indoor air pollution is a serious issue in many schools, affecting concentration, mood, and respiratory health. Environmental toxins in schools often come from airborne pollutants that are invisible but harmful.

What’s in the air at school?

Schools often have high levels of indoor pollutants that can impact your child’s well-being. Many older buildings contain mould, dust, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from paints and synthetic materials. Even well-maintained schools often rely on air fresheners, industrial cleaners, and poor ventilation, which contribute to indoor air pollution.

Some children may experience headaches, brain fog, allergies, or even asthma flare-ups from these airborne toxins. If your child seems extra tired after school or has unexplained congestion, their classroom air quality could be a factor.

What Can You Do?

You may not be able to change school policies overnight, but small actions can help. Speak with teachers about keeping windows open for better ventilation instead of using artificial air fresheners. Some parents have had success requesting air purifiers in classrooms, especially if their child has asthma or allergies. It’s also worth asking if the school has a policy for low-VOC cleaning products.

Classroom Materials: What’s in Your Child’s Desk?

We rarely think about what school desks, chairs, and supplies are made from—but they can be a hidden source of environmental toxins in schools such as formaldehyde, flame retardants, and plasticisers.

Where Are the Toxins?

  • Desks and furniture – Many contain formaldehyde, which off-gasses over time and can irritate airways.
  • School uniforms and rugs – Flame-retardant chemicals used in some fabrics have been linked to hormonal disruption.
  • Plastic school supplies – Many contain phthalates and BPA, which interfere with the body’s natural hormone balance.

What Can You Do?

It’s not always practical to replace everything, but you can choose safer alternatives where possible. If your child’s school requires uniforms, check whether they contain flame retardants. When buying school supplies, opt for paper notebooks instead of plastic-covered ones and look for natural fibre pencil cases and backpacks. Small swaps add up in reducing environmental toxins in schools.

School Lunches & Water Quality: What’s Really on the Menu?

Many parents assume school food meets high health standards, but school meals can be a hidden source of processed ingredients, pesticide residues, and even heavy metals—all part of the environmental toxins in schools issue.

Potential Issues with School Food & Water

  • Many schools serve ultra-processed meals high in seed oils, preservatives, and artificial additives.
  • Non-organic produce may contain pesticide residues, which can impact children’s gut health and behaviour.
  • Plastic trays, cups, and cutlery may contain BPA, which leaches into hot food and drinks.
  • Drinking water in older schools may be contaminated with lead, chlorine, and microplastics.

How to Reduce Your Child’s Exposure

Packing a lunch from home is one of the best ways to avoid these concerns. If your child eats school meals, you can ask about food sourcing and ingredient quality. Encourage them to bring their own stainless steel water bottle with filtered water to avoid drinking from school fountains. Small changes can help reduce exposure to environmental toxins in schools.

WiFi & EMF Exposure in Schools

Most classrooms today are filled with WiFi routers, tablets, laptops, and smartboards, exposing children to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) for hours each day. This is an emerging area of concern regarding environmental toxins in schools.

How Does EMF Exposure Affect Children?

Some research suggests that constant low-level radiation from wireless devices may contribute to headaches, poor sleep, and difficulty concentrating. Children’s developing brains and nervous systems may be more sensitive to these exposures.

Ways to Minimise EMF Exposure at School

If your child’s school relies heavily on technology, consider asking if they offer wired internet connections instead of WiFi. Some schools allow children to turn off Bluetooth and WiFi on tablets when not in use. Encourage tech-free breaks during the day and remind children not to rest laptops or tablets on their laps for long periods.

Pesticides and Cleaning Products: The Chemicals on School Grounds

Many schools use strong pesticides on playing fields and bleach-based cleaners indoors, exposing children to unnecessary toxins, another element of environmental toxins in schools.

What’s Being Used in Schools?

  • Weed killers and pest control sprays are often applied to playgrounds and sports fields.
  • Industrial-strength disinfectants can leave behind chemical residues on desks and floors.
  • Hand sanitisers containing triclosan or synthetic fragrances may disrupt the skin microbiome and hormones.

What Can You Do?

If you’re concerned about your child’s exposure, ask the school what cleaning and pest control products they use. Some parents have successfully petitioned for the use of eco-friendly cleaning products. If your child’s school uses strong sanitisers, remind them to wash their hands with soap and water instead.

Creating a Healthier School Environment

You may not be able to change everything overnight, but small steps can make a difference. Start by raising awareness—many schools aren’t even aware of these concerns until parents bring them up.

Simple Ways to Reduce Your Child’s Exposure

  • Ask questions. Find out what materials, cleaning products, and food ingredients are used.
  • Provide alternatives. Send your child with a glass or stainless steel water bottle, healthy packed lunches, and low-tox school supplies.
  • Advocate for change. If multiple parents raise concerns, schools are more likely to consider safer options.

Final Thoughts: How Safe Is Your Child’s School?

Environmental toxins in schools can affect children’s mood, behaviour, and long-term health. While we can’t eliminate every risk, small choices—like better food, fewer plastics, and less exposure to harmful chemicals—can make a big impact over time.

By being aware of environmental toxins in schools, parents can take practical steps to help create a safer learning space for their children.