Nontoxic Permanent Ink Pens and Markers
September 8, 2015, by Debra Lynn Dadd
Permanent ink pens and markers have caught my attention in daily life twice in the past two weeks, so I was prompted to write about them today.
The first exposure was in a public place where someone opened one of these pens (with a popular brand name) and started writing with it. I was standing three feet away and could smell it instantly.
Then I went to Staples to buy some bold tip pens. I’ve been buying this brand for years…Expo Vis-a-Vis pens. They are “wet erase markers” for white boards, but I use them when I need a bold pen.
I also needed a green pen. I just wanted to buy one green pen. It used to be that you could buy markers one by one but now mostly they are only sold in packages with all the colors. I just wanted one green pen, like a green highlighter pen (which are not toxic, by the way).
So there was this whole rack of individual colored pens at Staples. The label said “Bic Magic Marker Dry Erase. There was an AP Seal on the label and it said additionally “Nontoxic” and “Low Odor.”
So I bought one. IT WAS NOT “NONTOXIC” OR “LOW-ODOR.” I quickly put the cap right back on the pen and decided not to use it.
Update on Solvents Used In Permanent Ink Markers
When I first started writing about permanent markers thirty years ago, the solvents used were toluene and xylene, very toxic chemicals that cause nerve damage. Which is why I confiscated that pen.
But doing more research today I learned that in the 1990s there was a switch to using alcohol (ethanol) instead.
I looked up the MSDS for Bic Magic Marker.
Amazingly it says, "The product contains no substances which at their given concentration and intended use are considered to be hazardous to health.” Later it lists ethanol and isopropyl alcohol as ingredients.
I can’t believe it. I looked up MSDSs for other brands of permanent ink markers and they say the same thing: “Not hazardous under normal use conditions.”
But petroleum-derived ethanol is toxic. When I made my first list of “Top 40” toxic chemicals to avoid in 1984, ethanol was on that list. And anyone who has MCS knows to stay away from alcohol. I personally cannot use these pens, even if the MSDS doesn’t consider them hazardous.
Here is a fact sheet on the health effects of inhaling ethanol:
New Jersey Department of Health Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet: Ethyl Alcohol
Exposure to Ethyl Alcohol can cause headache, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, and unconsciousness. It can also affect concentration and vision, Repeated high exposure may effect the liver and the nervous system. Inhalation First aid: Remove person from exposure.
It is well known that ingesting ethanol in alcoholic beverages causes cancer.
Workplace exposure limits for inhalation have been established.
I don’t agree with the “nontoxic” labeling on these pens and markers.
I just want all of you to think twice before buying a permanent ink marker labeled “low odor” and “nontoxic” because it still contains petrochemical alcohol.
Now, The Toxic Free Pens and Markers
There ARE pens and markers with odorless water-based ink.
My favorite pen to write with are Pilot Precise Rolling Ball Pens. They have been my standard pen for years. They write very smooth and the ink doesn’t clump as with ball point pen inks.
For markers, what you want to look for are “water based markers.” Here are some water based markers online, though I haven’t tried them all, so cannot vouch for them. Here are more water-based markers at Blick. If I could get to New York, I could go to Blick and check all these out.
Probably the easiest water-based markers to find are Crayola Markers 10 Classic Colors. These are sold in the art and office supplies aisle in major drug stores and supermarkets.
But I miss being able to go into an art supply store and pick out the waterbased markers one by one in just the colors I want. I especially love Faber Castell PITT Artist Pens. Gorgous colors, no odor. They are meant for drawing, but I like to write with them. You can buy all the colors individually online at Blick (thank you!) or see if you can find a local art supply store that stocks them.
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