Children's Toys May Contain The Deadly Asbestos

The Los Angeles Superior Court is hearing litigation between ADAO and CBS Corporation, Planet Toys Inc. (manufacturers of the CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit) and several retailers involved in the sale of toys that allegedly are asbestos-tainted. In 2007, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), an asbestos watchdog group, claimed that children’s toy may contain traces of the cancer-causing asbestos fiber. In April 2008, The New York Times carried an article on the incident that halted production of the toy.

Testing by ADAO of other products that may be similarly contaminated continues and includes additional children’s toys. Persons who have been affected by asbestos-related illnesses or have watched friends and family suffer from such diseases, including mesothelioma, serve as volunteers with ADAO. The organization not only scouts for asbestos-tainted products but also looks into other violations of asbestos policies as mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Funding research into matters concerning public health is also undertaken by ADAO.

The products that have been found to have trace amounts of asbestos include the CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit, Ja-Ru Toy Clay (found in three varieties of the product), and Art Skills’ Clay Bucket (found in six colors of the clay). Traces of asbestos are also found in talc baby powder for babies, hair rollers, hot plates, powdered cleansers and small appliances sold at national retail chains. If you have a doubt that your child may have been exposed to asbestos containing tremolite, it is very important that medical assistance be sought at once.