According to the EWG press release, in 28 boxes of crayons and 21 crime-scene fingerprint kits that were tested, four brands of children’s crayons and two kids’ crime-scene fingerprint kits have been found to contain asbestos fibers.
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An Environmental Working Group Action Fund report found that asbestos fibers were present in four crayon brands and two crime-scene toy kits, CBS News reports.
“Therefore, it’s high-time the federal government bans asbestos in consumer products”, Landrigan said.
“It’s really the flyable fibers, what they call the loose asbestos fibers, that cause the damage and get those into your lungs, that’s what’s harmful”.
The recent report found asbestos in Disney Mickey Mouse Clubhouse crayons, Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Crayons, Amscan Crayons, Saban’s Power Rangers Super Megaforce crayons, Inside Intelligence Secret Spy kit (white fingerprint powder), and Toy “R” Us’ EduScience Deluxe Forensics Lab Kit (black fingerprint powder).
The suspected origin of the asbestos in the items that tested positive is talc, a binding agent in crayons and an ingredient in fingerprint powder.
“Children’s playtime should be filled with fun, not asbestos”, said U.S. Senator Markey Durbin, who asked retailers to voluntarily recall “toxic products” on July 8.
“Clearly some toy manufacturers haven’t done enough to protect children and others from asbestos in consumer products”.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring group of minerals with microscopic fibers, and according to Environmental health advocates, there is no safe level of exposure to the toxin.
She added that asbestos contamination was also discovered in crayons in 2002 and lab kit toys in 2007.
Read the full report.
Today, products containing asbestos that could be inhaled are required to be labeled, according to the CPSC.
Asbestos is no longer widely used in manufacturing in the United States.
“This is an avoidable risk”. But they’ve failed to enact a ban on asbestos in kids’ toys, although a bill to do so is finally being considered in Congress. It is possible to make crayons without using talc, which releases the contaminant.
All positive results were reconfirmed by a second independent lab, EWG said.
“We can’t fight this battle one toy and one company at a time”, Lunder said.
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The U.S. Product Safety Commission did not put in place any regulations or bans following the previous reports on asbestos in crayons and kits. “That was identified 15 years ago”. “And for kids that risk is almost certainly greater”.
