Toys tainted with asbestos, U.S. advocacy group warns
Last Updated: Thursday, November 29, 2007 | 2:48 PM ET
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A U.S. advocacy group is warning parents some toys have been found to contain high levels of asbestos, fibrous minerals that may pose health risks if inhaled.
'We were scared, we were shocked, we were appalled with the results that we found.'—Doug Larkin, Asbestos Disease Awareness
The California-based Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization says its testing on hundreds of products detected asbestos in the made-in-China CSI Fingerprint kit — which is sold in Canada — along with the Art Skills Clay Bucket and the Ja-Ru Toy Clay.
"We were scared, we were shocked, we were appalled with the results that we found," said Doug Larkin, a spokesman for the group that represents people with asbestos-related diseases.
Asbestos, largely used in the construction industry, can cause scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis when inhaled in large amounts, according to Health Canada. Inhalation of the mineral has also been linked to mesothelioma and lung cancer.
In recent months, U.S. and Canadian officials have issued a series of recalls of made-in-China toys for safety problems, involving lead and magnets.
Larkin warns parents they should be as vigilant about asbestos as they are about lead.
"If you're concerned about lead causing neurological problems, you should be absolutely outraged that there is asbestos in children's toys and household goods," Larkin said, noting asbestos was also detected in duct tape, small appliances and spackling paste.
CBS Consumer Products said in a statement they're conducting testing on the CSI Fingerprint kit.
"We've just been made aware of this issue and have asked our licensee to immediately conduct an independent test in the U.S. for asbestos. If the toy is determined to be unsafe, then we will insist that the licensee remove it from the market," the company said in a statement.
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