globalEyeNews Video Report: Toxic Tiny Toys for Tots
4.2 million Aqua Dots Units Recalled After 5 Children Hospitalized with "Date Rape Drug" (GHP) Complications
Scientists have determined that the beads contain a chemical that the human body metabolizes into the so-called "date rape" drug gamma hydroxy butyrate (GHP), which when eaten, can induce unconsciousness, seizures, drowsiness, coma and death.
Toxic Tiny Toys for Tots
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on Wednesday announced a children's toy recall of about 4.2 million Aqua Dots units several hours after published reports about the product recall in Australia. The announcement by the CPSC was a voluntary recall in cooperation with Toronto-based Spin Master, the North American Aqua Dots distributor, after the original manufacturer,Australia-based Moose Enterprises, recalled their version of Aqua Dots, which are known as Bindeez in Australia.
The Aqua Dots toys, which made Wal-Mart Stores elite list of top 12 Christmas toys, have been selling in US retail outlets since April. It is believed the company was first alerted to the danger after tests showed some batches of Aqua Dots were not made with a company approved formula.
According to the CPSC, the recalled toy is a craft kit which allows children to create various multi-dimensional designs using small colored beads. The beads fuse together when sprayed with water. The coating on the beads that causes the beads to stick to each other when water is added contains a chemical that can turn toxic. The recall applies to all models of Aqua Dots. The product is available in various different kits with accessories such as a drying fan, applicator pen, design templates for the beads, and spray bottle.
Date Rape Toys Pose Serious Threat
Scientists have determined that the beads contain a chemical that the human body metabolizes into the so-called "date rape" drug gamma hydroxy butyrate (GHP), which when eaten, can induce unconsciousness, seizures, drowsiness, coma and death.
The toys were supposed to use 1,5-pentanediol, a nontoxic compound found in glue, but instead contained the harmful 1,4-butanediol, which is widely used in cleaners and plastics. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1999 declared the chemical a Class I Health Hazard, meaning it can cause life-threatening harm.
Two U.S. children who swallowed Aqua Dot beads went into nonresponsive comas. A 20-month-old child swallowed several dozen beads, became dizzy and vomited several times before slipping into a comatose state for a period of time, was hospitalized, and has since fully recovered. A second child also vomited and slipped into a comatose state and was hospitalized five days.
Voted Australia's "Toy of the Year"
In Australia, three children have been hospitalized over the past 10 days after swallowing beads from Bindeez, previously earmarked Australia's "Toy of the Year" by the Australian toy industry.
The CPSC advised that consumers should take the toy away from their child, store it in a safe place and search for any beads that may have strayed from the craft kit.
CPSC spokeswoman Julie Vallese said that parents need to take this very seriously because the consequences to children who ingest these beads are potentially life threatening. Children who swallow the beads can become unconscious, have respiratory depression, or seizures from chemical on the beads.
Bindeez and Aqua Dots are reportedly made at the same factory, in Shenzhen in China's southern Guangdong province. Last week, the Chinese government announced an export ban on more than 700 toy factories in the Shenzhen region because of sub-standard products.
Massive Recalls for Chinese Made Toys
Other recalls were announced by the CPSC for 405,000 children's products made in China, most of them toy cars, because of dangerous levels of lead. The recall includes about 380,000 Pull-Back Action Toy Cars and 7,500 Dragster and Funny Car toys. Four of the recalled products were imported by Schylling Associates, including Duck Family Collectable Wind-Up Toys, Dizzy Ducks Music Box, "Robot 2000" collectable robots and Winnie-the-Pooh Spinning Tops. The company earlier recalled an additional 66,000 spinning tops in August.
For additional Aqua Dots recall information, contact Spin Master at (800) 622-8339 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the company's recall website at aquadotsrecall.com.
You can go to the CPSC site for further documentation on the most up to date recalls.
Labels: Aqua Dots, Bindeez, children, china, china toys, CPSC, date rape drug, gamma hydroxy butyrate, GHP, made in china, outsourcing, Toys, Wal-Mart |
