The concept of total toxic burden (also referred to as body burden or toxic overload) is the idea that, although a substance may not cause harm on its own, all of the substances around us every day can add up to have a negative impact on our health. While it is of course a big relief that we don’t have to worry about any severe acute reaction, we would strongly recommend against allowing your kids and pets to eat crayons, for two reasons: overall toxic burden and potential contamination (primarily with lead). So many caregivers wonder: is it toxic for a baby, cat, or dog to eat a crayon?Īccording to Crayola’s website, even ingesting crayons should not cause harm. Most people feel relatively safe allowing their little ones to handle Crayola crayons, but ingesting them involves absorbing a much higher concentration into their system. It’s not uncommon for kids (and pets) to eat crayons. Unfortunately, we just don’t have enough information to make a solid determination on whether or not the color pigments in Crayola’s crayons are perfectly safe.Ĭrayola does, however, clarify that their products do not contain red dye #40, so at least you don’t have to worry about that one! (Keep reading for crayon brands that are more transparent about the types of color pigments used-many of the brands listed below use plant-based dyes.)ġ1 Non-Toxic Pretend Makeup Sets for Kids & Toddlers Are Crayola Crayons Toxic If Eaten? (On a related note: because it is derived from a non-renewable resource and requires heavy refinement and hazardous waste to produce, paraffin wax is NOT eco-friendly.) What About the “Color Pigment”?Ĭrayola says that the other base ingredient used in their crayons is “color pigment.” This part is a bit frustrating because “color pigment” can mean so many different things!Ĭolor pigments and dyes really run the entire gammat-some are completely safe, while others come with health risks. So, as long as you’re not burning or eating crayons (more on the eating part below), you don’t have to worry too much about the paraffin wax causing any serious negative health effects. Benzene and toluene are known carcinogens and can also cause headaches, nausea, respiratory problems, and birth defects.īUT, you’re most likely not burning crayons! And this is good news, since most of the concern regarding paraffin wax comes from ingesting it, either through breathing in fumes or eating it. When paraffin wax candles are burned, they release toxic chemicals like benzene and toluene, which can pose health risks to those who breathe those chemicals in.
This immediately causes some suspicion because nearly all petroleum-derived products come with a variety of potential health risks, especially when they build up in the body over a long period of time. It is derived from petroleum, coal, or shale oil. You might know about paraffin wax because it’s the most common type of wax used in conventional candles. So let’s dig a little deeper into how safe this substance is. Paraffin wax is the primary ingredient used in Crayola crayons and is only one of the two ingredients they disclose. We’d love to see some more transparency here! What’s the Deal with Paraffin Wax? We reached out to Crayola to ask for more information and they gave us the exact same response as above. *It is possible that latex gloves may have been worn during the manufacture and distribution of raw materials, components or finished goods.” Please check packaging carefully to determine the manufacturer.
This list does not include Crayola official licensed products. “The exact ingredients of our products are proprietary, however, we are happy to provide you with the most common ingredient requests NOT FOUND in products currently manufactured by Crayola.
When asked for the exact ingredients, here’s what they say on their FAQ page: So here’s what we do know about Crayola crayon ingredients according to their website: “ The basic ingredients contained in Crayola Crayons are paraffin wax and color pigment.“ Just like a lot of other common household products (like Goo Gone and WD-40), the exact formulas for Crayola’s products are not publicly available because of their “proprietary nature.” While this may be more permissible for products like Goo Gone (which is mostly just used by adults), it’s unfortunate that we can’t get some more transparency when it comes to children’s products.īut, we’ll work with the information we’ve got to get an idea of how safe Crayola’s crayons, markers, and paint really are. What Are the Ingredients in Crayola Crayons? Are They Really Non-Toxic? We only make recommendations that are genuine and meet our ingredient/material safety standards. This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase.