Just days before Christmas, Planet Toys has issued a recall for their CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit. Tests of the toy have found that it possibly contains asbestos – a deadly material that is banned from U.S. manufacturing.
Between the lead paint scare from China and the numerous other toy issues in 2007, many parents have turned to buying their kids non-traditional toys this year such as DVDs, video game consoles, and clothing. Many parents feel that with the high number of recalls, they have no idea what’s safe and what isn’t when it comes to buying toys for their children.
The Planet Toys recall is just another notch. Asbestos, a naturally-occurring mineral, was commonly used during the 20th century because of its fire-resistant properties. However, after decades had passed, many individuals whom had worked with asbestos started to develop mesothelioma, a deadly form of lung cancer.
It was discovered that asbestos releases tiny particles into the air when it is disturbed. These asbestos particles can become lodged in an individual’s lungs, causing scarring that can become cancerous tumors later in life. These cancerous tumors are known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most commonly found in the lungs, but it can also occur in an individual’s abdomen or chest.
While many of the earlier toy scares focused more on younger children who might chew on a toy that wore lead-based paint, this new recall is dangerous to entire families. Mesothelioma can result from even minimal exposure to asbestos, so, even if the toy contains only a minimal amount of the substance, it could be a deadly amount. Furthermore, the toy could potentially expose entire families to the cause of this deadly disease.
Planet Toys has ordered retailers to stop selling the CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit, though no official recall has been issued for the toy itself. Manufacturers of the product need to examine it further before there is cause for warning. However, if you or someone in your family purchased this game for your kids this holiday season, it may be best to save it for a birthday after its manufacturers have determined that it’s safe for use.
