Does Your Child Own This Toy?

By Angie Smith
We all know about the recent publicity that toys imported from China have warranted…and it’s not good PR. The word this time though, is asbestos, not lead, found in a toy that was relatively popular this past holiday season: a forensic-type kit modeled after the popular TV series, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigators”.

Looks like someone didn’t do their homework. High levels of asbestos were found in the fingerprint dust that comes with the kit.

Here is an excerpt from a news article from www.ewg.org (the environmental working group):

“The tests were commissioned by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), which last month announced the results of it’s exhaustive 18-month scientific study testing hundreds of consumer products for deadly cancer-causing asbestos fibers. The findings were extremely troubling. One product, the popular children’s toy – Planet Toys CSI: Crime Scene Investigation™ Fingerprint Examination Kits– had high levels of asbestos in some samples of the fingerprint dust children put directly on their fingers and likely breathe into their lungs when the dust goes airborne. Children are directed to blow the asbestos contaminated dust to reveal the fingerprints.

“Major retailers stepped in when the federal government failed to act. They should be congratulated. Their actions will protect an untold number of children from the very real danger of asbestos-caused cancer later in life,” said Richard Wiles, Executive Director of Environmental Working Group. “Today’s action would not have been possible, without the courage of ADAO and Senator Murray in confronting the ongoing dangers posed by asbestos,” Wiles added.

“Given the grave health risks associated with asbestos exposure, ADAO acknowledges Planet Toys voluntarily issued a ‘stop sale’ this morning,” said Linda Reinstein, ADAO Executive Director and Co-Founder. “Once asbestos is inhaled or swallowed, the damage is irreversible. Prevention is the only cure.”

Particularly troubling about this toy is that children are directed to blow the asbestos contaminated powder after dusting for fingerprints, which makes it much more likely that children playing with this toy would actually inhale potentially lethal asbestos fibers. Any amount of asbestos fiber in a children’s toy, particularly in a powder that is certain to be inhaled, is unacceptable and unnecessary.

The type of asbestos detected in these kits, tremolite, is one the most lethal forms of asbestos, and a single day’s exposure is sufficient to cause lung cancer later in life.

Earlier this year Senator Murray’s bill to ban asbestos passed the Senate unanimously. Under the Murray bill the levels of asbestos found in this toy would have made this product illegal in the U.S.”

Folks, asbestos is a notorious toxin, in the proper (or improper, however you want to look at it) environment. You or your child would need a safe, complete detox after coming into contact with this known carcinogen. See my other articles for information on how liquid zeolite can do this!
Angie Smith is a Freelance Journalist who lives in Kentucky and has a keen interest in keeping her family in good health. Angie can be contacted by e-mail at angiesmith74@gmail.com and she will be glad to personally answer any questions you may have about liquid zeolite.