Deadly Colors: A Silent Danger in the Classroom

Tharindu was just seven years old when he fell mysteriously ill. At first, his parents thought it was a common flu—his energy drained, his stomach ached, and he often complained of headaches. But as weeks passed, his condition worsened. He began vomiting frequently, lost his appetite, and developed rashes on his arms. His parents, Sunil and Nisansala, were terrified.

Doctors at the local hospital in Gampaha ran a series of tests but found nothing conclusive. It wasn’t until a paediatrician at Colombo National Hospital suggested a toxicology test that the truth emerged—Tharindu was suffering from lead poisoning. But how could a seven-year-old boy, who barely left his home and school, have come into contact with such a dangerous substance?

The answer was shocking. His parents traced the source to his most beloved possession: his coloured pencils.

Like most children, Tharindu loved to draw. His parents, wanting to encourage his creativity, bought him an affordable, brightly packaged set of coloured pencils from a roadside vendor. The pencils were imported from an unknown manufacturer and had no certification marks. Little did they know, these pencils contained dangerously high lead, cadmium, and other heavy metals in their pigments.

Tharindu had a common habit—he often chewed on his pencils while drawing. Over time, the toxic substances in the paint coating and the pigments leached into his system. His innocent childhood habit had turned deadly.

Neurological Damage 

Dr. Priyantha Perera, a child health specialist at Colombo National Hospital, explained the gravity of the situation.

“Many parents don’t realize that cheap, non-standardized school supplies can be hazardous. The Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) has regulations, but not all imported products meet them. If a product lacks a certification mark, parents should be extremely cautious. These heavy metals can cause neurological damage, developmental delays, and even permanent organ damage.”

Tharindu was lucky—his condition was caught in time. With months of medical treatment and detoxification, he recovered, but not without consequences. He suffered from memory problems and frequent mood swings, which doctors suspected were long-term effects of the poisoning. His mother, Nisansala, now warns every parent she meets.

“We always thought we were giving him the best. We never imagined something as simple as colored pencils could harm him. If I had known, I would have checked for quality certifications before buying,” she said, holding back tears.

Cheap Imports 

The problem isn’t just Tharindu’s. Across Sri Lanka, unregulated school supplies continue to flood the market. Cheap imports without proper safety checks are easily accessible. The lack of strict enforcement of standards means thousands of children are exposed to potential toxins daily. Many parents, unaware of the risks, continue to buy these products.

Experts urge authorities to take immediate action. Schools should conduct awareness programs, and the government must implement stricter regulations on imported school supplies. Until then, parents must be vigilant.

As Tharindu’s story spreads, it serves as a chilling reminder: something as harmless-looking as a coloured pencil could be a silent killer ,in the hands of a child.