Color me deadly: asbestos found in crayons

Color me deadly: asbestos found in crayons

The tainted toys were found earlier this year in Australia.

Who knew children’s art could be dangerous? Crayons containing asbestos fibers have been found in Australia.

LidTime reports studies done during February and March of 2015 found in two toy finger-printing kits. Both EduScience Delux Forensics Lab Kit and Inside Intelligence Secret Spy Kit contained asbestos in the finger printing powder, which is easily inhalable. Asbestos fibers have been linked to lung disease, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.

The Science World Report also revealed that asbestos fibers were found in crayons manufactured by the Chinese company Amscam. The crayons were packaged with such appealing characters as Mickey Mouse, Teenage Mutant Ninja Warriors, and Power Rangers. While the asbestos in the drawing materials were likely not inhalable, the seemingly innocent habit chewing on the crayons could easily release the toxic substance.

While no related illnesses have yet been reported, the findings are a serious cause for concern.  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission currently has no official ban on asbestos in crayons, and the substance has been found in Crayola and Prang in the past.

As Sonya Lunder, lead analyst of the Environmental Working Group, asserts, “The right number of children’s toys that should be contaminated with a carcinogen is zero.”

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