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An alarming 75 percent of products used by children contain high levels of toxic chemicals like phthalates. The toxic chemical can cause asthma, cancer and behavior problems.

Popular brands such as Disney, Spiderman, and Dora  vinyl lunchboxes, backpacks, 3-ring binders, raincoats, and rain boots contain the chemical.

 "Our investigation found elevated levels of toxic phthalates widespread in children's school supplies, including Disney and Spider-Man lunchboxes and backpacks.  These dangerous chemicals manufactured by Exxon Mobil have no place in our children's school supplies," Mike Schade from the Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ), author of the new report, Hidden Hazards: Toxic Chemicals Inside Children's Vinyl Back-to-School Supplies, in the news release.

"Unfortunately, while phthalates have been banned in children's toys, similar safeguards don't yet exist to keep them out of lunchboxes, backpacks and other children's school supplies.  It's time for Congress to move forward and pass the Safe Chemicals Act to protect our children from toxic exposure," he said.

New York Sen. Charles Schumer, who was present at the report's release, discussed the issue saying, "School supplies are supposed to help our children with their education, they shouldn't be harming their health. We don't allow high levels of these toxic chemicals in children's toys and we certainly shouldn't allow them in back-to-school products. When kids take their lunch to school this fall, they shouldn't be carrying it in a lunchbox laden with anything other than a nutritious meal, packed by mom."

Schumer said he will push for the passage of the Safe Chemicals Act which would give the Environmental Protection Agency more authority to regulate chemicals used in consumer products, The Wall Street Journal reported.