In late 2007, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) discovered that asbestos-contaminated toys had found their way onto the shelves of thousands of toy stores across the country. In particular, the CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit, which was made in China, was found to contain asbestos in its shiny white powder.
While production of the toy has ceased, an article in The New York Times in April 2008 elaborated on the all but forgotten incident. The ADAO has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against CBS Corporation, Planet Toys Inc. (makers of the CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit), and several retailers for their involvement in the sale of the asbestos-contaminated toy. Families affected by the contaminated toy should also consider litigation over exposure to “substantial amounts of tremolite asbestos.”
The ADAO also continued its testing of other products and found several to contain asbestos, including additional children’s toys.
ADAO is an organization that uses volunteers, several of whom have been directly affected by asbestos-related diseases or have seen friends and family suffer from the diseases, including mesothelioma. The ADAO acts as a watchdog for asbestos, although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) actually regulates the legality of asbestos violations.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is considered a human carcinogen by the federal Department of Health and Human Services and is a “naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral,” according to the EPA. Asbestos becomes deadly when bundles of microscopic fibers come together and become airborne.
When inhaled, the results can be deadly and seriously damage a person’s body through the development of mesothelioma cancer. In addition to mesothelioma, asbestos can cause lung cancer or asbestosis, in which fibrous tissue scars the lungs.
The asbestos that was removed was used in a variety of industries, according to the EPA:
* thermal/acoustic insulation used for fire protection
* roofing and siding tiles made with asbestos cement
* textured paint and patching compounds used in wall and ceiling joints
* artificial ashes and embers for gas fireplaces
* stove pads
* vinyl tiles, flooring and adhesives
* asbestos blanket or tape for hot water and steam pipes
* oil and coal furnaces
Toys for children affected by asbestos
Tracking down asbestos can be a difficult process because it is often overlooked, especially since it is no longer a common ingredient in product manufacturing, although it once was. The ADAO has been testing thousands of products for asbestos contamination in toys and regular products. Currently, they have determined that several toys contained trace amounts of asbestos, including:
* CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit
* Ja-Ru Toy Clay (which is among the three varieties of the product)
* Art Skills Clay Cube (asbestos found in six colors of clay)
In addition, there are several other products that the ADAO found to contain traces of asbestos that are not directly related to children’s toys, but could still affect a child’s health. It has even been alleged that baby powder contains asbestos fibers. Other products that have been found to contain asbestos contamination, according to the ADAO, include:
* Scotch High Performance and All Weather Duct tapes
* DAP Crack Shot Putty Paste
* DAP 33 window glazing
* Gardner leak stopper
The organization also found that hair rollers, hot plates, powder cleaners and small appliances were at risk of negatively affecting public health from asbestos fibers. The organization noted that all of these products are sold in national retail chains, including:
*Walmart
*Costco
* Toys R Us
* House deposit
* Lowe’s
* Macy’s
*Bed bath and beyond
*CVS
Consumer Affairs, a Web-based consumer news and resource center, issued the following tips to help parents, family, and friends shop for children’s toys to better protect children from asbestos exposure: . The list includes the following:
* Be a thoughtful shopper and read all warnings that may include a toy breaking, containing small parts, or fire and choking hazards.
* Read product reviews by both independent panels and consumers.
* Find information about the most recent product recalls.
* Inspect toys; Any toy that is broken should be thrown away.
* Research how, where and when a product was created.
What to do if your child is exposed to asbestos
If a child is exposed or may even have been potentially exposed to tremolite-containing asbestos, it is imperative that they seek medical assistance immediately. Due to the nature of asbestos-induced conditions, if a child is exposed to asbestos and is not treated as if all is well, she could develop mesothelioma cancer years later, so immediate medical attention is recommended.
Because asbestos exposure among children is considered extremely preventable, developing a claim for damages suffered may be a necessary step. Victims should locate an experienced mesothelioma attorney for more information on developing a mesothelioma lawsuit.
Copyright (c) 2008 Katie Kelley
