1. Rubber Cement
That little brown glass jar of rubber cement with the brush in the lid was a staple for art projects. The glue smelled strong, but no one thought twice about leaning in close while brushing it across a poster board. In fact, the odor was half the experience for kids who spent hours on collages and dioramas.
The problem was that rubber cement was loaded with solvents like heptane, which gave it that unmistakable aroma. Those fumes were not great for young lungs, and teachers often had entire classes opening jars at the same time. Today, schools use much safer adhesives for those creative projects.
2. Asbestos Chalkboard Erasers
Every classroom had those hefty felt erasers stacked high for the chalkboard. Smacking two together out the window or outside by the playground created satisfying clouds of dust that seemed harmless back then. We loved the way the air would fill with a chalky haze, even though it made us cough.
What we did not realize was that some erasers contained asbestos fibers to make them more durable. Every smack in the air could release those particles, and long-term exposure has been linked to serious health risks. Schools eventually switched to safer materials, but it was a common part of daily life in the ’70s.
3. Mercury Thermometers in Science Class
Science class often meant pulling out shiny mercury thermometers to measure temperatures. Watching the silvery liquid rise and fall in that thin glass tube was mesmerizing. It seemed more magical than scientific at times.
Of course, mercury is toxic, and a broken thermometer meant kids might try to poke at the little beads of metal rolling across the table. Teachers would sweep it up quickly, but no one seemed too alarmed at the time. Today, you will only find alcohol or digital thermometers in classrooms.
4. Lead Pencils
The standard yellow No. 2 pencil was a constant companion in school. We chewed the erasers, sharpened the tips down to nubs, and filled our desks with pencil shavings. Parents even called them “lead pencils,” not realizing how that might sound today.
While most school pencils were made with graphite, some imported brands in earlier years still contained traces of actual lead in the paint or coatings. The bigger issue was the lead-based paint used on some colored pencils. Regulations eventually tightened, making modern versions much safer for kids.
5. Overhead Projector Transparencies and Markers
The overhead projector was the pride of many classrooms, and the markers that came with it had a distinctive smell. Passing one around felt fun until the strong chemical odor hit your nose. We often ended up with marker smudges all over our hands and clothes.
Those transparency markers were made with solvents like xylene or toluene, both of which can be harmful when inhaled. At the time, ventilation was rarely considered when teachers used them daily. Dry-erase markers today still have odors but are generally safer.
6. White-Out Correction Fluid
White-Out or Liquid Paper was a lifesaver for kids who made mistakes typing or writing. The little brush inside the bottle made fixing errors a breeze. But the chemical smell was so sharp that you noticed it instantly upon opening.
The original formulas were filled with solvents like toluene, which were far from safe to breathe in. Students often used it liberally during typing lessons in the ’70s. Eventually, safer water-based versions replaced the old ones, but those tiny bottles were once a fixture on every desk.
7. Art Class Paints
Every elementary school art class had those bright bottles of tempera and enamel paints. We loved the bold colors and did not hesitate to dip our brushes in with enthusiasm. Many of us even wound up with stained fingers and clothes for days.
Unfortunately, some of those paints contained lead or cadmium to produce vivid hues. The bright reds and yellows especially were more toxic than anyone realized. Modern paints for schools are non-toxic, but those ’70s art sessions came with hidden risks.
8. Mimeograph Fluid
If you remember that sweet, alcohol-like smell of freshly printed worksheets, then you remember mimeograph machines. Kids would sometimes hold the paper to their faces just to inhale that distinctive scent. It felt like a treat to get a warm, freshly run copy.
The fluid used in those machines contained methanol and other solvents that were hazardous in enclosed spaces. Teachers and office staff handled the bulk of it, but students definitely got a whiff with every handout. Today, laser printers do the job without the fumes.
9. Spray Adhesives
Some art teachers kept spray adhesive cans handy for larger projects. A quick spritz seemed like a fast solution compared to messy glue sticks. The smell was strong, but we never thought about what was in the air.
These sprays were loaded with solvents that were harmful to breathe, especially in classrooms without much airflow. Kids might also spray too much, coating their desks and hands. Safer adhesive options now fill that role, but spray glue was a regular part of the ’70s supply set.
10. Scented Markers
Nothing felt cooler than pulling out a pack of those brightly colored scented markers. Grape, cherry, cinnamon—every kid had a favorite scent. Passing them around the room was part of the fun, even if our hands ended up stained for days.
The problem was that the scents were created with chemicals that were not great for kids to be sniffing up close. Some of the dyes also contained unsafe ingredients. Today’s scented markers are labeled non-toxic, but the ones from the ’70s were not nearly as carefully formulated.
11. Chalk Dust
Chalkboards were at the center of every classroom, and chalk dust was everywhere—on our clothes, our hands, and in the air. Many kids even loved drawing on sidewalks with leftover classroom chalk. It just felt like part of school life.
What we did not realize was that constant inhalation of chalk dust could irritate lungs, especially for kids with asthma. Some chalk even contained impurities like silica. Schools gradually moved to whiteboards, sparing future generations the daily dust clouds.
12. Ink Pens with Toxic Dyes
The classic ballpoint pen felt like an upgrade from pencils once we were old enough to use them. We chewed on the ends, clicked them endlessly, and sometimes even cracked them open out of curiosity. Ink stains on fingers were practically a rite of passage.
Older pen inks, though, often contained dyes and solvents that were not safe if ingested or absorbed through the skin. Kids who chewed or played with their pens got more exposure than anyone realized. Today’s inks are formulated to be safer, but back then it was just another overlooked hazard.