March 7th, 2008

A toy maker has asked stores carrying one of their products to voluntarily stop stocking the toy. The item was found to contain asbestos, and further testing has confirmed the allegation.

A toy manufacturer has asked that stores carrying one of their items, a fingerprinting kit, stop stocking the item while the company considers a full recall. The toy, a fingerprinting kit, was alleged to contain asbestos after independent testing found the dangerous substance in the printing dust. Testing by the toy manufacturer confirmed that some of the kits contained asbestos, and the toy maker asked at that time that stores carrying the kit voluntarily stop putting the toy on shelves.

The danger of the kit is in the dusting powder in the kit, considering that the material easily becomes airborne. Asbestos is normally only hazardous if ingested or inhaled, and such exposure can lead to health problems including mesothelioma and asbestosis. Mesothelioma results from asbestos particles being breathed in and getting trapped in the lungs, keeping the tissue there from absorbing oxygen. Further testing is being conducted before the company will decide if they will recall the toy.